Decomposition of Cladophora II. In vitro Studies of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Regeneration

Abstract

A benthic green alga, Cladophora aff. albida, was allowed to decompose in vitro under dark, low O2 conditions. Two thirds of the tissue decomposed at a linear rate of 0.6% of the initial dry weight per day. The remaining 34% decomposed at 0.05% of the initial dry weight per day through 1 yr. Viable cells remained after 1.5 yr in darkness. N and P were lost from the tissue at linear rates of 0.43 and 0.46% per day, respectively, for the first 99 days. NH4 and Pi were the predominant forms of N and P produced.