The influence of irradiance, photoperiod and temperature on the growth kinetics of three planktonic diatoms

Abstract

The influence of irradiance, photoperiod and temperature was determined for the growth kinetics of the diatoms Aulacoseira subarctica, Stephanodiscus astraea and Stephanodiscus hantzschii and the results compared with those of cyanobacteria. [rradiance and photoperiod relationships were qualitatively similar to those for cyanobacteria in that: (1) growth rate (K) was proportionally greater under short photoperiods, with ratios of K under continuous light to K under 3:21 light:dark (LD) cycles of 1-50, 1.80 and 2-96 for A. subaretiea, S. astraea and S. hantzschii respectively; (2) at subsaturating irradiances, K was proportional to irradiance and independent of temperature with a negligible predicted maintenance growth rate requirement. Apparent growth efficiencies (GE) at subsaturating irradiances were 0.26+0-03, 0.42+0.03 and 0-504-0.03 divisions mo1-1 m z for A. subarctica, S. astraea hantzschii, but higher temperatures resulted in minor increases in K. S. astraea growth rate peaked at 16 °C, declining sharply at higher temperatures. February to March in situ growth rates in Lough Neagh, mean temperature 4.3 °C, showed that the A. subarctica in situ K of 0.058 divisions day ~ was close to the laboratory K at 4 °C, but that S. astraea in situ K of 0.10I divisions day -~ was lower than the laboratory K at 4 °C.

Large scale laboratory cultures of Ankistrodesmus gracilis (Reisch) Korsikov (Chlorophyta) and Diaphanosoma biergei Korinek, 1981 (Cladocera)

“…The NPK (20-5-20) alternative medium associated to B complex vitamins caused growth rates that were 0.22 slower than those reported by Foy and Gibson (1993) for marine diatoms cultured in a commercial medium.…”

Growth and toxicity responses of Mediterranean Ostreopsis cf. ovata to seasonal irradiance and temperature conditions

“…ovata is well adapted to a more restricted window, with only temporary adaptation to higher and lower temperatures. While temperature represents the primary factor for defining the seasonal interval that permits growth, it does not directly affect growth response at the different daylength and PFD conditions, but rather modulates it in a rather unpredictable way, thus confirming the complex and non linear relationships between these major environmental forcing factors and microalgal growth (Geider, 1987;Foy and Gibson, 1993). By contrast, daylength plays a major role in driving growth performances of this dinoflagellate.…”

Linking traits to species diversity and community structure in phytoplankton

“…In addition, many diatoms appear to have relatively low optimum temperatures for growth (15-25°C), as one would predict if temperature played an important role in determining succession. These include Aulacoseira (Foy & Gibson, 1993), Asterionella (Butterwick et al, 2005), and Rhizosolenia (Ignatiades & Smayda, 1970). Cyanobacteria tend to have higher optimum temperatures for growth, with a majority of measured species exhibiting optima between 25 and 35°C (Robarts & Zohary, 1987), though some species possess optima below 15°C, such as a Lake Baikal phytoplankter, Synechocystis limnetica (Richardson et al, 2000).…”