Nutrient Sources for Algae and their Control
Abstract
Critical evaluations are presented of bioassays
for nutrient availability. The biological availability
of any required algal nutrient in a sample
of water can be determined by growth experiments
requiring 2 weeks incubation. In addition,
relatively short-term tests can be carried out
measuring changes in certain enzymatic activities
or chemical fractions which have been shown to
reflect meaningful nutritional changes. The latter
types of tests have been useful in evaluating
the nutritional status of in situ algae. The
selection of the type of bioassays for particular
purposes can be made from the data presented as
to what information can be obtained, the length
of time required, and the range of sensitivity
of the bioassays. Examples are presented of
ecologically important questions which have been
answered by the different bioassays.