C:N Ratio in Some Marine Macrophytes and Its Possible Ecological Significance

Abstract

C and N levels were determined for 24 spp. [Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta] of intertidal benthic algae from the NW coast of Spain, by means of an automatic C, H, N combustion analyzer. These are presented here as a C:N ratio. Brown algae showed the highest mean values among the non-calcified algae. The rate of production of a given alga and its C:N ratio shows an inverse relationship. There was no evident relationship between the level at which a given alga was growing in the intertidal, and the C:N ratio. Older thallus portions had a higher C:N ratio than younger portions.