Distribution and Alkaline phosphatatase activity of filamentous conjugales in an upper Teesdale stream

Abstract

Two small streams in Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve were examined with respect to water chemistry and filamentous Conjugales present. Phosphate, nitrate and ammonia concentrations in the water were determined, to investigate a possible link between the nutrient status water and phosphatase enzyme activity of the algae. It has been shown that phosphatase activity is inducible in some algae under conditions of low inorganic phosphorus availability. Phosphatase enzymes enable the algae to hydrolyse organic phosphorus, converting it into a more easily utilised form. A connection was found at Red Sike between nutrient, especially organic phosphorus, levels and phosphatase activity. Algae were also sampled from subjectively determined microhabitats in Red Sike and Slapestone Sike, to investigate if particular community assemblages were more common in certain microhabitat sites.