The Role of Marine Macroalgae in Nitrogen Retention, Cycling, Turnover, and Loss

The Role of Marine Macroalgae in Nitrogen Retention, Cycling, Turnover, and Loss 

Once N crosses the boundary layer and contacts the macroalgal thaUus surface, it must be transported across the ceU membrane and then assimUated into organic compounds, foUowed by incorporation into proteins and macromolecules for 

The complex and interacting factors and processes affecting N uptake rates of marine macroalgae result in a wide range of rates in the field, which may mask increasing N suppfies to these systems. N uptake rates of estuarine macroalgae have 

Macroalgae as a sink of nutrients nitrogen storage and retention 

In shallow estuaries and lagoons subject to macroalgal blooms, the collapse of blooms and subsequent turnover of N can have major ecosystem level effects. Release of organic N may alter food webs toward heterotrophic bacteria pathways (Valiela et al, 1997), depleting water and sediments of oxygen. If severe, the result is die-off of resident fish and invertebrates. In addition, sediment anoxia may cause 

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