Relationship Between N2-Fixation and Heterocyst Abundance and its Relevance to the Nitrogen Budget of Lake 227

Abstract

A significant relationship between seasonal N₂-fixation rate and heterocyst abundance has been found in Lake 227 and can be modelled to estimate areal rates of N₂-fixation based on the known historical phytoplankton records. Experimental imposition of low nitrogen (N): phosphorus (P) loading ratios stimulated N,-fixation. The N:P molar ratio of the internal pool of nutrients oscillates around a mean of 30:1, despite experimental loading ratios that vary from 13:1 to 0. Maintenance of this internal nutrient mass ratio requires preferential regeneration of N through time at all loading rates. Heterocystous, cyanobacteria blooms are most predictable during imposition of a very low external loading N:P ratio and high P loading relative to natural sources. Knowledge of the internal loading N:P ratio and relative contribution of internal and external loadings are required for predicting blooms at intermediate external N:P loading rates. The internal N:P ratio has fluctuated within narrow limits over 25 yr of nearly constant P loading because of adjustments in N₂-fixation, N sedimentation, and denitrification, which have counterbalanced changing experimental N loading regimes.