The Rate of Liberation of Phosphate in Sea Water by the Breakdown of Plankton Organisms

Abstract

Samples of animal and plant plankton were added to sea water in glass vessels and the subsequent changes in the phosphate content of the water were followed. The breakdown of the zooplankton was very rapid and more phosphate was set free than had originally been added as plankton. The balance was produced from dissolved organic phosphorus compounds in the water. The breakdown of phytoplankton showed a short time lag and only a part of the phosphorus added was set free as phosphate.