Effects of phosphorus limitation on sinking velocities of phytoplankton during summer in the Changjiang River Estuary

The sinking of phytoplankton is critical to organic matter transportation in the ocean and it is an essential process for the formation of coastal hypoxic zones.This study was based on a field investigation conducted during the summer of 2022 in the Changjiang River(Yangtze River) Estuary(CJE) and its adjacent waters.The settling column method was employed to measure the sinking velocity(SV) of different size fractions of phytoplankton at the surface of the sea and to analyze their environmental control mechanisms.The findings reveal significant spatial variation in phytoplankton SV(-0.55-2.41 m/d) within the CJE.High-speed sinking was predominantly observed in phosphate-depleted regions beyond the CJE front.At the same time,an upward trend was more commonly observed in the phosphate-rich regions near the CJE mouth.The SV ranges for different sizefractionated phytoplankton,including micro-(>20 μm),nano-(2-20 μm),and picophytoplankton(0.7-2 μm),were-0.50-4.74 m/d,-1.04-1.59 m/d,and-1.24-1.65 m/d,respectively.Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between SV and dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP),implying that the influence of DIP contributes to SV.The variations in phytoplankton alkaline phosphatase activity suggested a significant increase in SV across all size fractions in the event of phosphorus limitation.Phytoplankton communities with limited photo synthetic capacity(maximum photochemical efficience,Fv/Fm <0.3) were found to have higher SV than that of communities with strong capacity,suggesting a link between sinking and alterations in physiological conditions due to phosphate depletion.The findings from the in situ phosphate enrichment experiments confirmed a marked decrease in SV following phosphate supplementation.These findings suggest that phosphorus limitation is the primary driver of elevated SV in the CJE.This study enhances the comprehension of the potential mechanisms underlying hypoxic zone formation in the CJE,providing novel insights into how nearshore eutrophication influences organic carbon migration.

Phosphorus limitation on CO_(2)fertilization effect in tropical forests informed by a coupled biogeochemical model

Tropical forests store more than half of the world's terrestrial carbon(C)pool and account for one-third of global net primary productivity(NPP).Many terrestrial biosphere models(TBMs)estimate increased productivity in tropical forests throughout the 21st century due to CO_(2)fertilization.However,phosphorus(P)liaitations on vegetation photosynthesis and productivity could significantly reduce the CO_(2)fertilization effect.Here,we used a carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus coupled model(Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model;DLEM-CNP)with heterogeneous maximum carboxylation rates to examine how P limitation has affected C fluxes in tropical forests during1860-2018.Our model results showed that the inclusion of the P processes enhanced model performance in simulating ecosystem productivity.We further compared the simulations from DLEM-CNP,DLEM-CN,and DLEMC and the results showed that the inclusion of P processes reduced the CO_(2)fertilization effect on gross primary production(GPP)by 25%and 45%,and net ecosystem production(NEP)by 28%and 41%,respectively,relative to CN-only and C-on ly models.From the 1860s to the 2010s,the DLEM-CNP estimated that in tropical forests GPP increased by 17%,plant respiration(Ra)increased by 18%,ecosystem respiration(Rh)increased by 13%,NEP increased by 121%per unit area,respectively.Additionally,factorial experiments with DLEM-CNP showed that the enhanced NPP benefiting from the CO_(2) fertilization effect had been offset by 135%due to deforestation from the 1860s to the 2010s.Our study highlights the importance of P limitation on the C cycle and the weakened CO_(2)fertilization effect resulting from P limitation in tropical forests.

Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Microcystis aeruginosa Qutz. in Phosphorus Limitation

: Effects of phosphorus limitation on the physiological and biochemical changes of the freshwater bloom alga Microcystis aeruginosa Qutz. are reported in the present study. As a result of phosphorus limitation, biomass was controlled to some extent and the protein content per cell in vivo decreased. However, the carbohydrate content per cell was higher in phosphorus limitation over the 8 d of cultivation. Soluble proteins were distinct in the media, whereas phosphorus deficiency induced the presence of a unique protein (16.2 kDa). Under conditions of phosphorus limitation, the activities of both superoxide dismutase and peroxidase per cell in vivo were lower than under normal conditions in the last cultivation. The in vivo absorption spectra of cells showed chlorophyll absorption peaks at 676 and 436 nm, over 10 nm red-shifted from the normal position; cells showed an absence of a chlorophyll c with an in vivo absorption peak at 623 nm and an extraction absorption peak at 617 nm. The chlorophyll a/carotene and chlorophyll a/xanthophylls ratios decreased under conditions of phosphorus limitation, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) was clearly lower, and the low-temperature fluorescence emission spectra indicated a higher peak at 683 nm and a lower peak at 721 nm relatively, with the 721 nm peak drifting slightly to the red and the 683 nm peak strengthened with a weakened 692 nm shoulder peak.

Global patterns of soil phosphatase responses to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization

Hydrolysis of organic phosphorus(P) by soil phosphatases is an important process of P cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, significantly affected by nitrogen(N) and/or P fertilization. However, how soil acid phosphatase(ACP) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities respond to N and/or P fertilization and how these responses vary with climatic regions, ecosystem types, and fertilization management remain unclear. This knowledge gap hinders our ability to assess P cycling and availability from a global perspective. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the global patterns of soil ACP and ALP activities in response to N and/or P addition. We also examined how climatic regions(arctic to tropical), ecosystem types(cropland, grassland, and forest), and fertilization management(experiment duration and fertilizer type and application rate) affected changes in soil phosphatases after fertilization. It was shown that N fertilizer resulted in 10.1% ± 2.9% increase in soil ACP activity but a minimal effect on soil ALP activity. In contrast, P fertilizer resulted in 7.7% ± 2.6% decrease in soil ACP activity but a small increase in soil ALP activity. The responses of soil ACP and ALP activities to N and/or P fertilization were largely consistent across climatic regions but varied with ecosystem types and fertilization management, and the effects of ecosystem types and fertilization management were enzyme-dependent. Random forest analysis identified climate(mean annual precipitation and temperature) and change in soil pH as the key factors explaining variations in soil ACP and ALP activities. Therefore, N input and ecosystem types should be explicitly disentangled when assessing terrestrial P cycling.

Effects of phosphorus and nitrogen limitation on PHA production in activated sludge

The effects of phosphorus and nitrogen limitation on polyhydroxyalkanoate （PHA） production and accumulation by activated sludge biomass with acetate as a carbon source were investigated. Pre-selected influent carbon-phosphorus （C：P, W/W） of 100, 160, 250, 500 and 750, and carbon-nitrogen （C：N, W/W） of 20, 60, 100, 125 and 180 were applied in the phosphorus limitation experiments and the nitrogen limitation experiments, respectively. The maximum PHA accumulation up to 59% of the cell dry weight with a PHA productivity of 1.61 mg PHA/mg COD consumed was observed at the C：N 125 in the nitrogen limitation experiment. This value was much higher than that obtained in previous studies with a normal substrate feeding. The study showed that activated sludge biomass would produce more polyhydroxybutyrate than polyhydroxyvalerate under the stress of nutrient limitation, especially under phosphorus limitation conditions. The experimental result also indicated that both phosphorus and nitrogen limitation may cause sludge bulking.

Kinetics of Microbial Growth and Synthesis of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Using Fed-batch Culture of Alcaligenes Eutrophus with Phosphorus Limitation

The phosphorus concentration in the culture medium affects the production of poly (3 hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by Alcaligenes Eutrophus. This investigation shows that the phosphorus concentration in the initial culture medium influences both the residual cell mass and the PHB production. A kinetic model is proposed for the production of PHB in a fedbatch culture of Alcaligenes Eutrophus. The kinetic model is compared with the experimental results and appears to provide an excellent description of the overall fermentation process. A phosphate mass concentration of 45 g/L produced the highest level of dry cell mass concentration (266 g/L), PHB mass concentration (214 g/L), PHB mass content (804%) and PHB productivity (351 g/L·h) so far obtained.

Response of Phytoplankton Community Structure and Size- Fractionated Chlorophyll a in an Upwelling Simulation Experiment in the Western South China Sea

The South China Sea(SCS), which is the largest marginal sea in the western tropical Pacific, plays an important role in regional climate change. However, the research on the phytoplankton community structure(PCS) response to the upwelling remains inadequate. In January 2014, the upwelling simulation experiment was performed in the western SCS. Results indicate that the nutrient-rich bottom water not only increased the total Chlorophyll a(Chl a) concentrations, but would potentially altered the PCS. Due to new nutrients added, microphytoplankton had more sensitivity response to nutrient uptake than other phytoplankton groups. The variation of nutrients induced by formation, weakening and disappearance of upwelling resulted in phytoplankton species succession from cyanophyta to bacillariophyta. It may be the leading factor of the changes in PCS and size-fractionated Chl a. The initial concentration of DIP less than 0.1 μmol L-1 could not sustain the phytoplankton growth. This indicates that phosphorus may be the limiting factor in the western SCS.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in the phosphorus-limited southern Chinese coastal waters

Three fractions of alkaline phosphatase activity(APA),including phytoplankton APA(phyto-APA),bacterial APA(bact-APA),and free-APA,were examined in the sea surface microlayer(SML)and the subsurface water(SSW)from Daya Bay,Guishan Island,and Guanghai Bay of southern China.Relationships between APA and environmental parameters were analyzed.The growth of phytoplankton was significantly limited by dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP)in the three sea areas,especially in Daya Bay.TotalAPA ranged between 1.41 and 35.26 nmol/L/hr,and the highest value was found in Daya Bay.The increased APA in Daya Bay was the result of the increase of phytoplankton biomass and the response of phytoplankton to P limitation.Phyto-APA was the main contributor in Daya Bay,while phyto-and free-APA co-dominated in Guishan Island and Guanghai Bay.Bact-,phyto-,and total-APA showed a significant inverse power function relationship with DIP,and 0.2μmol/L was the threshold for DIP on particulates and totalAPA.Pearson correlation analysis suggested that DIP limitation together with high N levels enhanced APA.High water temperature and freshwater input accelerated APA as well.Principal component analysis clearly separated samples from the three sea areas,as well as from the SML and the SSW,which indicated the differences in environmental parameters and APA levels.Our results highlight the influence of phosphorus limitation and environmental parameters on APA.

Controlling cyanobacterial blooms by managing nutrient ratio and limitation in a large hypereutrophic lake: Lake Taihu, China

Excessive nitrogen（N） and phosphorus（P） loading of aquatic ecosystems is a leading cause of eutrophication and harmful algal blooms worldwide, and reducing nutrient levels in water has been a primary management objective. To provide a rational protection strategy and predict future trends of eutrophication in eutrophic lakes, we need to understand the relationships between nutrient ratios and nutrient limitations. We conducted a set of outdoor bioassays at the shore of Lake Taihu. It showed that N only additions induced phytoplankton growth but adding only P did not. Combined N plus P additions promoted higher phytoplankton biomass than N only additions, which suggested that both N and P were deficient for maximum phytoplankton growth in this lake（TN：TP = 18.9）. When nutrients are present at less than 7.75–13.95 mg/L TN and 0.41–0.74 mg/L TP, the deficiency of either N or P or both limits the growth of phytoplankton. N limitation then takes place when the TN：TP ratio is less than 21.5–24.7（TDN：TDP was 34.2–44.3）, and P limitation occurs above this. Therefore, according to this ratio, controlling N when N limitation exists and controlling P when P deficiency is present will prevent algal blooms effectively in the short term. But for the long term, a persistent dual nutrient（N and P） management strategy is necessary.

Responses of Soil Acid Phosphomonoesterase Activity to Simulated Nitrogen Deposition in Three Forests of Subtropical China

Soil acid phosphomonoesterase activity (APA) plays a vital role in controlling phosphorus (P) cycling and reflecting the current degree of P limitation. Responses of soil APA to elevating nitrogen (N) deposition are important because of their potential applications in addressing the relationship between N and P in forest ecosystems. A study of responses of soil APA to simulated N deposition was conducted in three succession forests of subtropical China. The three forests include a Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forest (MPF)-pioneer community, a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest (MF)-transition community and a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MEBF)-climax community. Four N treatments were designed for MEBF: control (without N added), low-N (50 kg N ha-1 year-1), and medium-N (100 kg N ha-1 year-1) and high-N (150 kg N ha-1 year-1), and only three N treatments (i.e., control, low-N, medium-N) were established for MPF and MF. Results showed that soil APA was highest in MEBF, followed by MPF and MF. Soil APAs in both MPF and MF were not influenced by low-N treatments but depressed in medium-N treatments. However, soil APA in MEBF exhibited negative responses to high N additions, indicating that the environment of enhanced N depositions would reduce P supply for the mature forest ecosystem. Soil APA and its responses to N additions in subtropical forests were closely related to the succession stages in the forests.

Bracken-induced increase in soil P availability, along with its high P acquisition efficiency, enables it to invade P-deficient meadows

Changes in soil chemistry after invasion by bracken(Pteridium aquilinum)have been studied in heathlands,but comparable studies in meadows are lacking.We investigated if bracken invasion into P-deficient meadows alters the soil nutrient-resource pool,as well as the mechanisms behind it linked to soil processes and bracken nutrition.Furthermore,we investigated how community composition responds to differences in soil chemistry before and after the invasion.Soil and plant material sampling,along with vegetation survey,were performed during bracken peak biomass.Data analyses included analysis of variance and canonical correspondence analysis(CCA).Bracken invasion increased soil P availability,soil organic C concentration,as well as C:N,C:S and N:S ratios,while decreasing Fe and Co concentrations.Bracken pinnae were rich in P,and its rhizomes were rich in K,whereas N:P of pinnae and rhizomes was low.CCA showed contrasting abundance patterns of frequent meadow species related to P and K availability.Holcus lanatus exhibited competitive advantage under extremely low P availability.Increase in P availability under bracken may have occurred through promoting the leaching of Fe and Al.By increasing P availability for its growth and increasing N limitation for other species,bracken can gain a competitive advantage from the soil resource-niche perspective.Its ability to increase soil P availability,along with the physiological mechanisms behind its high P acquisition efficiency,seem to differentiate bracken from other species of competitive ecological strategy,which are mainly confined to nutrient-rich environments.This enabled bracken to invade P-deficient meadows.