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Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment on growth and photosynthetic assimilation of carbon in a green tide-forming species (Ulva prolifera) in the Yellow Sea

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Abstract

The hypothesis that nitrogen and phosphorus can have a positive effect on the bloom formation of Ulva prolifera along the southern coast of the Yellow Sea was examined. The nutrient enrichment on the growth and photosynthetic carbon assimilation of U. prolifera were investigated in laboratory. Four nitrogen and phosphorus treatments were established: high nitrogen and high phosphorus (HNHP), high nitrogen and low phosphorus, low nitrogen and high phosphorus, and low nitrogen and low phosphorus (LNLP). Fresh weights, relative growth rate (RGR), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic rate, and the uptake of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in U. prolifera were measured. The results showed that nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment significantly increased RGR of U. prolifera. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters all reached maximum values under the HNHP treatment. The photosynthetic rate under the HNHP treatment also was the highest, which was 1.52 times that of the LNLP treatment. The DIC uptake under the HNHP treatment was 1.63 times greater than under the LNLP treatment. The photosynthesis and carbon fixation were significantly promoted by N and P enrichment. This work may further clarify the mechanisms of U. prolifera bloom formation and decline in the Yellow Sea.

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Abbreviations

N:

Nitrogen

P:

Phosphorus

HNHP:

High nitrogen and high phosphorus

HNLP:

High nitrogen and low phosphorus

LNHP:

Low nitrogen and high phosphorus

LNLP:

Low nitrogen and low phosphorus

RGR:

Relative growth rate

PSII:

Photosystem II

F v /F m :

Maximum quantum yield of PSII

Φ PSII (Yield):

Actual quantum yield of PSII

NPQ:

Non-photochemical quenching

F v /F 0 :

Potential activity of PSII

rETR:

Relative electron transport rate

α :

Light utilization efficiency

DIC:

Dissolved inorganic carbon

DIN:

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen

DIP:

Dissolved inorganic phosphorus

FW:

Fresh weight

DW:

Dry weight

VSE:

Von Stosch’s enriched

ANOVA:

One-way analysis of variance

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Support Program (2012BAC07B03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, No. 999, Huchenghuan Rd, Pudong New City, Shanghai, 201306, People’s Republic of China

    Shaoxiang Li, Kefeng Yu, Yuanzi Huo, Jianheng Zhang, Hailong Wu, Chun’er Cai, Yuanyuan Liu, Dingji Shi & Peimin He

  2. Institute of Marine Science, Shanghai Ocean University, No. 999, Huchenghuan Rd, Pudong New City, Shanghai, 201306, People’s Republic of China

    Shaoxiang Li, Kefeng Yu, Yuanzi Huo, Jianheng Zhang, Hailong Wu, Chun’er Cai, Yuanyuan Liu, Dingji Shi & Peimin He

  3. Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, People’s Republic of China

    Dingji Shi

  4. Environmental Monitoring Center Station of Bijie City, Bijie, 551700, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China

    Shaoxiang Li

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  1. Shaoxiang Li
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  2. Kefeng Yu
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Li, S., Yu, K., Huo, Y. et al. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment on growth and photosynthetic assimilation of carbon in a green tide-forming species (Ulva prolifera) in the Yellow Sea. Hydrobiologia 776, 161–171 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2749-z

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