Protein and carbohydrate contents related to varying light levels and chlorophyll-a in selected freshwater and marine phytoplankton

Cidya Grant; J. William Louda

doi:10.3153/AR25009

EN

Protein and carbohydrate contents related to varying light levels and chlorophyll-a in selected freshwater and marine phytoplankton

Abstract

This study investigated correlations between chlorophyll-a (CHLa) and certain biomass parameters (protein and two forms of carbohydrates) under the influence of light intensity. These findings are applicable to the estimation of metabolizable biomass in water bodies, which is important for understanding the nutritional value of phytoplankton and their impact on aquatic food webs. Furthermore, these determined biomass relationships can also assist in the prediction of the generation of anoxia during and following algal blooms. That is, one could relate the standing crop of metabolizable organic matter (proteins and carbohydrates) to existing conditions of water depth, currents, dissolved oxygen trends and other parameters. Results from this study indicate that protein, colloidal carbohydrates, and storage carbohydrate concentrations in phytoplankton can be broadly estimated by multiplying chlorophyll-a amounts (pg/cell or mg/L) by 202.6, 17.7, and 144.9, respectively. The methodology presented can therefore serve as a means of approximating the standing crop of metabolizable phytoplankton organic matter (viz. protein and two forms of carbohydrates).

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Funds for this study derived from monies remaining from several contracts with the South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach Florida. Additional funds derived from the Department of Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University.

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that this study does not require ethical permission

Thanks

The authors thank Florida Atlantic University for the research facilities in which this study took place.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Algology , Marine and Estuarine Ecology , Freshwater Ecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Cidya Grant ^*
0009-0007-4097-6285
United States

J. William Louda
0000-0001-7280-9907
United States

Early Pub Date

February 22, 2025

Publication Date

March 28, 2025

Submission Date

May 11, 2024

Acceptance Date

September 23, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25009

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA26EW72FK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Grant, C., & Louda, J. W. (2025). Protein and carbohydrate contents related to varying light levels and chlorophyll-a in selected freshwater and marine phytoplankton. Aquatic Research, 8(2), 79-97. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25009

Öz

Protein and carbohydrate contents related to varying light levels and chlorophyll-a in selected freshwater and marine phytoplankton

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite