Micronutrients and phytoplankton biomass in freshwater reservoirs

Baker, M.H., 1977. Micronutrients and phytoplankton biomass in freshwater reservoirs. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

Of the factors determining the abundance and species-composition of the phyboplankton in freshwater lakes and reservoirs the micronutrients axe among the least studied despite their potential importance. An investigation was therefore initiated, with the aim of making a contribution to our existing knowledge of micronutrients in freshwater and their importance in phytoplankton ecology.

To this end three reservoirs in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire, England were sampled at regular intervals over a period of two years and chlorophyll, phaeophytin and selected micronutrient concentrations measured in the samples. The micronutrients selected for study were the inorganic metals ii-on, manganese, copper, zinc and cobalt, and the organic vitamins thiamine and biotin. Three fractions of each metal (soluble, complexed and particulate metal) were measured in samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Dissolved vitamin in samples was bioassayed with three different organisms (Euglena. gracilis Klebs, Lactobacillus leichmanii ATCC 7830 and Ochromonas malhamensis Pringsheim). Particulate vitamin was also routinely bioassayed with E. gracilis Through one year dissolved vitamin B12 was differentiated into soluble and complexed or bound forms by the ultrafiltration of samples taken monthly.

Thiamine and biotin were also looked for, but both vitamins were always undetectable by the bioassay organisms used - Lactobacillus viridescens ATCC 12706 and Monochrysis lutheri Droop for thiamine and Lactobacillus plantarium ATCC 8OI4 for biotin.

A survey of the micronutrient concentrations entering the reservoirs during a twelve month period was also made. The dissolved vitamin and total metal concentrations in samples taken at monthly intervals were measured by the above methods.

A limited number of sediment samples were also taken from the reservoirs and their extractable vitamin and metal micronutrient concentrations determined.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Baker, M.H.
Date:	1977
ISBN:	9781369313963
Identifiers:	Number Type PQ10183115 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Record created by:	Jeremy Silvester
Date Added:	17 Sep 2020 14:57
Last Modified:	19 Jul 2023 10:06
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/40774

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