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MEPS 378:27-35 (2009)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07851

Alkaline phosphatase activity in relation to nutrient status in the northern Adriatic Sea

Ingrid Ivančić1,*, Tomislav Radić2, Daniel M. Lyons1, Dragica Fuks1, Robert Precali1, Romina Kraus1

1Center for Marine Research, Ruder Boskovic Institute, G. Paliaga 5, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia
2Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Put Duilova 11, 21000 Split, Croatia

ABSTRACT: During 2004 and 2006, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was measured in the northern Adriatic to establish whether it is an important mechanism for phosphorus recycling in this area, which is poor in orthophosphate (PO4). From May to September, in conditions of exhausted PO4, microbes in upper waters induced high APA (0.41 to 5.55 µmol l–1 h–1) to obtain phosphorus from the dissolved organic pool. The highest APA was found during spring and summer freshets due to the strongly deficient PO4 versus inorganic nitrogen supply from the Po River. During the summer months, APA was lower yet still important for phosphorus recycling. In these months, the low Po River nitrogen supply resulted in lower microbial biomass and, consequently, lower APA. From October to December, APA in upper waters was low (<0.2 µmol l–1 h–1), even during large microbial blooms. During autumn blooms, PO4 was probably supplied from deeper waters. In deeper waters, with an almost balanced inorganic N:P ratio for microbial requirements, APA was generally irrelevant during the entire investigation period. Our results emphasise the role of APA in meeting the seasonal microbial phosphorus requirements in the northern Adriatic.


KEY WORDS: APA · DOP · Nutrients · Phytoplankton · Bacteria · Northern Adriatic


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Cite this article as: Ivančić I, Radič T, Lyons DM, Fuks D, Precali R, Kraus R (2009) Alkaline phosphatase activity in relation to nutrient status in the northern Adriatic Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 378:27-35. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07851

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