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Science 14 May 1982:
Vol. 216. no. 4547, pp. 729 - 730
DOI: 10.1126/science.216.4547.729
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Articles

Microscale Patchiness of Nutrients in Plankton Communities

JOHN T. LEHMAN 1 and DONALD SCAVIA 2

1 Division of Biological Sciences and Great Lakes Research Division, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109
2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Ann Arbor 48104, and Division of Biological Sciences, University of Michigan

Autoradiography was used to identify the presence of nutrient patches produced by zooplankton. Algal cells which encounter patches of phosphorus-33 released by swimming animals accumulate more label than cells that do not enter the patches. Differential labeling of algae does not occur when turbulence in the fluid is increased by stirring. Nutrient patchiness at the scale of millimeters or less in nature probably influences the course of competition and coexistence among the phytoplankton.

Submitted on December 22, 1981
Revised on February 11, 1982


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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