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Saturated uptake kinetics: transient response of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana to ammonium, nitrate, silicate or phosphate starvation

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Abstract

Changes in the saturated uptake kinetics of the limiting nutrient were followed as Thalassiosira pseudonana (Clone 3 H) batch cultures entered ammonium, nitrate, silicate and phosphate starvation. Cultures starved of ammonium or phosphate developed very high specific uptake capacities over a 24 to 48 h starvation period, due to both decreases in cell quota and increases in uptake rates per cell. In particular, the cell phosphorus quota decreased ca. 8-fold during phosphate starvation and specific uptake rates exceeded 100 d-1. In contrast, cultures entering nitrate or silicate starvation underwent little or no further cell division, and the uptake capacity declined during starvation. After 24 to 48 h starvation, an induction requirement for uptake of nitrate or silicate was apparent. These responses are consistent with adaptation to the pattern of supply of these nutrients in the field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography, University of British Columbia, V6T 2B1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    J. S. Parslow & P. A. Thompson

  2. Department of Oceanography and Botany, University of British Columbia, V6T 2B1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    P. J. Harrison

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  1. J. S. Parslow
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  2. P. J. Harrison
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  3. P. A. Thompson
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Communicated by N.D. Holland, La Jolla

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Parslow, J.S., Harrison, P.J. & Thompson, P.A. Saturated uptake kinetics: transient response of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana to ammonium, nitrate, silicate or phosphate starvation. Marine Biology 83, 51–59 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393085

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