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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(2)

Effects of iron additions on filament growth and productivity of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula

Kathleen S. Ahern A C , Judith M. O’Neil A B , James W. Udy A and Simon Albert A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Queensland, Centre for Water Studies and Centre for Marine Studies, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.

B University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA.

C Corresponding author. Email: k.ahern1@uq.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 57(2) 167-176 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF05022
Submitted: 14 Feb 2005  Accepted: 4 January 2006   Published: 23 February 2006

Abstract

The bioavailability of iron, in combination with essential macronutrients such as phosphorus, has been hypothesised to be linked to nuisance blooms of the toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. The present laboratory study used two biological assay techniques to test whether various concentrations of added iron (inorganic and organically chelated) enhanced L. majuscula filament growth and productivity (14C-bicarbonate uptake rate). Organically chelated iron (FeEDTA) with adequate background concentrations of phosphorus and molybdenum caused the largest increases (up to 4.5 times the control) in L. majuscula productivity and filament growth. The addition of inorganic iron (without added phosphorus or molybdenum) also stimulated L. majuscula filament growth. However, overall the FeEDTA was substantially and significantly more effective in promoting L. majuscula growth than inorganic iron (FeCl3). The organic chelator (EDTA) alone and molybdenum alone also enhanced L. majuscula growth but to a lesser extent than the chelated iron. The results of the present laboratory study support the hypothesis that iron and chelating organic compounds may be important in promoting blooms of L. majuscula in coastal waters of Queensland, Australia.

Extra keywords: algal blooms, FeEDTA, molybdenum, Moreton Bay, nutrients, organics.


Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge funding support from the Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchment Partnership, Natural Heritage Trust and Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (LP0219352). For valuable discussion thanks to C. Ahern, V. Eldershaw, P. Moody, S. Pointon, B. Powell (Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water); W.C. Dennison (University of Queensland and University of Maryland); T.D. Waite and A. Rose (University of New South Wales); and G. Savige (Savige Fisheries). Thanks also to the Marine Botany Group at the Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland, and the journal referees who provided helpful critique and suggestions. This is University of Maryland Centre for Environmental Science contribution #3905.


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