Colorimetric analysis is not sufficient to estimate bioavailable phosphorus in a hypersaline aquatic environment
Khoi, C.M.; Merckx, R.; Van Stappen, G.; Toi, H.T.; Nuong, N.H.K. (2018). Colorimetric analysis is not sufficient to estimate bioavailable phosphorus in a hypersaline aquatic environment. Hydrobiologia 815(1): 177-186. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3560-9 In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more |  |
| Author keywords | Algal growth; Colorimetrically measurable P; P bioavailability |
| Authors | | Top | - Khoi, C.M.
- Merckx, R., more
- Van Stappen, G., more
| - Toi, H.T., more
- Nuong, N.H.K.
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| Abstract | Colorimetric analysis is commonly used to quantify P availability in aquatic environments. However, it may not be adequate to quantify the bioavailability of dissolved organic P compounds. This study aimed to investigate to what extent the colorimetrically measurable P fractions can be utilized by algae, with a particular emphasis on organic P compounds in a hypersaline aquatic environment. In this study, the growth of the marine alga Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher was observed in axenic hypersaline cultures prepared with different organic P forms and related to the corresponding levels of colorimetrically measured P and total P. The malachite green method was used to colorimetrically analyze the different P forms and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy was used to quantify the total P. The results showed that only creatine P was colorimetrically detectable, of which 87% of its total concentration was measured. The growth of algae in the culture media with organic P compounds did not reflect the colorimetrically measurable organic P compounds. The results from this study imply that colorimetric analysis may not be sufficient to assess P availability to algae in hypersaline conditions where organic P components are the main source of P. |
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