Nitrogen transformations in Lake Ontario / by D.R.S. Lean and R. Knowles.: En13-5/86-146E-PDF

"The increasing nitrate concentration in Lake Ontario has caused the phytoplankton in 1982 to be phosphorus deficient, whereas, 10 years previously, nitrogen was most likely limiting the summer biomass. Seasonal changes in the concentration of the various nitrogen fractions are documented and related to nitrogen flux rates from one form to another. Specifically, although 15N- tracer methodology shows rapid ammonium uptake, much of this is by chemoautotrophic nitrifying bacteria rather than phytoplankton. Nitrate, rather than ammonium, is the principal form of nitrogen used for algal growth. Quantities of nitrate used for protein synthesis (see Cuhel and Lean) were related to seasonal nitrate declines and provide an upper limit for protein available to support the food chain. Seasonal increases in ammonium and nitrite were shown to be related to rates of zooplankton excretion. In view of the high concentrations of oxygen and low concentrations of nitrous oxide, denitrification is robably not a significant process. Consequently, at present ates of N loading nitrate concentrations will likely continue to increase"--Management perspective.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Environment Canada.
National Water Research Institute (Canada)
Title Nitrogen transformations in Lake Ontario / by D.R.S. Lean and R. Knowles.
Variant title Subcellular phosphorus kinetics for Lake Ontario plankton
Series title NWRI contribution series ; # 86-146
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) "December 1986".
"This manuscript has been submitted to the Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Science - Special Issue for publication and the contents are subject to change".
Digitized edition from print [produced by Environment and Climate Change Canada].
Includes bibliographical references: p. 19-24.
Includes management perspective and abstract in French.
Publishing information Burlington, Ont. : National Water Research Institute, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 1986.
Author / Contributor Lean, David R. S.
Knowles, R. (Roger)
Description 31, [12] p. : ill.
Catalogue number
  • En13-5/86-146E-PDF
Subject terms Water quality
Lakes
Ecology
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