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Organic carbon release by phytoplankton and bacterial reassimilation

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Abstract

The release of organic carbon by phytoplankton and its reassimilation by bacteria were studied in Lake Geneva during four daily kinetics, using14C techniques. Gentamycin was used to suppress bacterial activity. Size fractionation was used to measure14C fixation in 2 particulate fractions (≥1 μm and 0.2 to 1 μm) and in a third fraction: dissolved organic carbon.

Measurements of bacterial biomass and14C glucose uptake as the H14CO −3 uptake by samples prefractionated before incubation showed that the whole algae were retained on 1 μm pore size Nuclepore filters, but bacteria were retained on 1 μm and 0.2 μm filters. Concentration of 20 μg.ml−1 gentamycin resulted in incomplete bacterial inhibition while phytoplankton was affected. Phytoplankton released less of 20% of its photoassimilated carbon of which a large proportion was utilized by bacterioplankton.

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Author notes

  1. Mauricette Feuillade & J. Feuillade

    Present address: Station d'Hydrobiologie Lacustre, I.N.R.A., I.L., F74203, Thonon-les-Bains, France

  2. Ph. Dufour

    Present address: O.R.S.T.O.M.-Station d'Hydrobiologie Lacustre-I.N.R.A., I.L., F74203, Thonon-les-Bains, France

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    1. Mauricette Feuillade
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    2. Ph. Dufour
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    3. J. Feuillade
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    Feuillade, M., Dufour, P. & Feuillade, J. Organic carbon release by phytoplankton and bacterial reassimilation. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol 50, 115–135 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02538982

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02538982

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