The uptake, retention, and release of ammonium by reef corals 1

Abstract

Of several genera tested, only those Pacific reef corals symbiotic with zooxanthellae take up and retain ammonium. Uptake and retention are enhanced by light, and the normal daylight period is sufficient to sustain ammonium retention during the night. Ammonium uptake kinetics for several species indicate that a two‐process mechanism may be involved. If a correction is made for diffusion, uptake kinetics can be characterized by the Michaelis‐Menten equation.