Limitation and combined effects of iron and phosphorus on the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prorocentrum micans</Emphasis> Ehrenberg (Dinophyceae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomonas</Emphasis> sp. (Cryptophyceae)

Iron and phosphorus limitation and their combined effects on the growth and development of Prorocentrum micans Ehrenberg (Dinophyceae) and Cryptomonas sp. (Cryptophyceae) have been studied. The growth status of these algae at different Fe and P levels is quantitatively analyzed through lab-culture experiments. Results show that Fe starvation can misalign chloroplast lamellas, and metamorphose and twist thylakoid, leading to a retarded growth rate. The combined effects of Fe and P can accelerate their growth, and an optimum culture condition to maintain the maximum growth rate is a combination of 0.05 μM Fe and 50 μM P. Algal uptake of Fe and P are synergistic. Their cellular concentrations bear significant correlations (r = 0.9979 for Cryptomonas sp. and 0.9938 for P. micans; P < 0.01) and correspondingly the molar P:Fe ratios are ∼160:1 and ∼356:1, respectively. These findings will provide novel insights for revealing the crucial factors controlling the occurrence of algal blooms.