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ASPECTS OF PHOSPHATE UTILIZATION BY BLUE-GREEN ALGAE
Citation:
Jensen, T. AND L. Sicko-Goad. ASPECTS OF PHOSPHATE UTILIZATION BY BLUE-GREEN ALGAE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-76/103 (NTIS PB260896), 1976.
Description:
The effects of various external phosphate concentrations on physiological and cytological aspects of Plectonema boryanum have been studied. P. boryanum was found to tolerate a wide range of phosphate concentrations, from 1 to 1000 mg of phosphate per liter. Growth of the alga in these concentrations was characterized by changes in the subcellular distribution of phosphorus-containing compounds and in ultrastructural changes which were monitored by transmission electron microscopy. Culturing the alga in phosphate-free or phosphate deficient medium led to general reductions of phosphate in all cell fractions examined, with the most dramatic decrease in both short and long chain polyphosphates. The alga was not able to utilize the condensed phosphate, sodium tri-polyphosphate, without prior hydrolysis of this compound to orthophosphate.