Seasonal variation in nutrient limitation of the algal community in Lake Horowhenua, New Zealand

Abstract

Nutrient limitation of growth of the algal community in Lake Horowhenua was assessed by: reference to nutrient concentrations; short‐term physiological assays, which indicate nutrient deficiencies in algae; and a laboratory growth assay where the algal community responds with chlorophyll a production over a period of 4 days on relief of shortage of the limiting nutrient. Shortage of phosphorus limited algal growth during winter months whereas nutrient nitrogen shortage restricted growth in summer.

Keywords:

• algae
• ammonium enhancement
• ammonium uptake
• chlorophyll a
• growth assay
• hypertrophic
• Lake Horowhenua
• nitrate uptake
• nutrient limitation
• phosphorus uptake
• plant nutrients