SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE FUGACEAE IN THE MARITIME PROVINCES

Abstract

Fucus vesiculosus, F. evanescens, and Ascophyllum nodosum were analyzed monthly for their content of moisture, mineral salts, organic N, mannitol, laminarin, and alginate over a period of 2 years. Plants were collected from 2 localities, St. Andrews, N. B., and Halifax, N. S. In general, when the ash content was at a min. in the winter months, alginate was at a max. The converse was true in spring and summer. Organic N and laminarin remained relatively constant throughout the year. Mannitol was highest in the summer and autumn, fluctuating with the temp, of the water. No essential difference was detected between the results of St. Andrews and at Halifax, or between the 3 spp. examined. Analyses carried out on samples collected at different times on the "same dry showed no significant differences.