| The effect of UV-B radiation on the nitrogen metabolism of phytoplancton |
Dutch title: De invloed van UV-B straling op het stikstofmetabolisme van fytoplankton
Funder identifier: P101/2942210491 (Other contract id)
Period: 1994
Thesaurus terms Nitrogen; Nutrients (mineral); Phytoplankton; Plankton; Ultraviolet radiation
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| Institute |
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- Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Faculteit Wetenschappen & Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen; Vakgroep Chemie; Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), more, co-ordinator
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| Abstract |
| Recent research concerns aim at a better understanding of the damaging effect of enhanced UV- B radiation on growth and productivity of plants. Unicellular algae as well as higher plants exhibit malfunction under UV-B stress. Considerable changes in nitrogen metabolism were observed but are still poorly understood. Generally it is thought that the uptake of inorganic nitrogenous nutrients is hindered bu increased UV-B radiation and that severe reduction of the amino acid and protein sunthesis occurs. This study will assess the effect of UV-B on the nitrogen uptake regime and on the flow of nitrogen in the metabolic pathhways of selected phytoplankton species, known to have an important role in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, a study of the nitrate and ammonium uptake and assimilation will be undertaken. The determination of absolute and specific uptake rates relies on the use of the 15N-methodology. The amino acid and protein synthesis in phytoplancton will be studied by means of analytical and preparative chromatography in combination with 15N tracer studies. Special attention will go to the specific target sites of UV-B radiation. The planned research is a collaboration between the department of ANCH and ORGC. |
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