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Alkaline phosphatase activity in the western English Channel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

Anthony G. Davies  and
M. Ann Smith
Anthony G. Davies
Affiliation:
The Laboratory, Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB
M. Ann Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Goldsmiths' College, New Cross, London SE14 6NW
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Abstract

The spatial and vertical distributions of alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in the western English Channel in July 1987 were determined using 2 μM 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphate as substrate. The response of APA to increases in substrate concentration followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics but differences in Ks values between stations suggested a species dependency of the half-saturation constant. Phosphate inhibition of APA was, however, similar at 3 locations. The chlorophyll specific APA (SAPA) in surface waters ranged from 0.004 to 0.57 nMPO43- μg chla-1 min-1 and was inversely exponentially related to the chlorophyll a concentration reflecting the fact that phytoplankton populations are largest where inorganic nutrient availability is greatest and synthesis of the enzyme is not derepressed. SAPA values were found to be low in the bloom of Gyrodinium aureolum in the Ushant front and in the sub-surface chlorophyll maximum in the stratified region. Vertical distributions of SAPA are discussed in terms of the hydrographic characteristics of the water column and an attempt has been made to distinguish between APA associated with phytoplankton and with bacteria.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 68 , Issue 2 , May 1988 , pp. 239 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1988

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