Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of marine microalgae and bacteria with applications for measuring marine microbial growth rates and production

Jones, David Robert, 1954

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of marine microalgae and bacteria with applications for measuring marine microbial growth rates and production

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Date

1989

Authors

Jones, David Robert, 1954

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between DNA and ATP content of marine bacteria and microalgae. This relationship was used to estimate in situ living microbial DNA concentrations in the open ocean. These estimates, combined with measurements of microbial DNA synthesis rates, allowed calculation of microbial specific growth rates. In addition, the relationship between microbial DNA and carbon was used to estimate total microbial production. Laboratory-derived DNA:ATP ratios ranged from 8.5 to 33 (wt:wt) for cultures of marine microalgae, and from 13 to 50 for exponentially growing cultures of marine bacteria, with an overall geometric mean ratio of 17. Laboratory-derived C:DNA ratios ranged from 33-176 (wt:wt) for the marine algae studied, and from 17 to 51 for the marine bacteria studied, with an overall geometric mean of 49. There were no statistically significant diel differences in DNA:ATP ratios for the marine algae studied. Significantly different DNA:ATP ratios were observed between high and low growth rates for N-limited cultures of Amphidinium carteri and Cyclotella cryptica, and between N- and P-limited cultures of C. cryptica at high growth rates. No other significant differences due to growth rate effects or nutrient limitation effects could be demonstrated. Laboratory calibration experiments with cultures of marine algae confirmed that the observed DNA:ATP relationships could be used in conjunction with DNA synthesis rate measurements to estimate specific growth rates. The laboratory-derived relationships were applied under field conditions during two cruises to 26°N, 155°W in the spring and fall of 1986. Total microbial specific growth rates ranged from 0.2-1.5 d^-1 in the spring and from 0.1-1.3 d^-1 in the fall, with subsurface maxima during both cruises near the bottom of the mixed layer. Overall integrated average growth rates were 0.76 d^-1 in the spring, and 0.66 d^-1 in the fall. Total microbial production between 0 and 150 meters was estimated at 718 mgc.m^-2.d^-1 in the spring and 490 mgc.m^-2.d^-1 in the fall. These production estimates were 1.7 and 1.1 times estimated net primary production during the spring and fall cruises respectively. Total microbial production integrated to the depth of the mixed layer was 1.3 and 1.2 times net primary production during the spring and fall, respectively. These estimates are considered conservative estimates. It is concluded that microbial growth rates can be accurately estimated by the techniques used. Field results suggest that microbial communities in the study area were growing rapidly, at approximately one doubling per day. Accuracy of total microbial production estimates would be considerably improved by information concerning the partitioning of particulate ATP among members of the microbial community, and by knowledge of the turnover time of grazed microbial DNA.

Description

Typescript.
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1989.
Includes bibliographical references.
Microfiche.
xvii, 206 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Keywords

Marine algae -- Composition, Adenosine triphosphatase, DNA

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/10023

Related To

Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Oceanography; no. 2363

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