AME 56:123-131 (2009)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ame01306

ABSTRACT: Data from the ¹⁴C method, C assimilation time courses and single endpoint comparisons to O₂ fluxes, imply 2 different things. Time course (linear) experiments suggest that C assimilation measures gross production while the single endpoint comparisons with O₂ fluxes suggest that the ¹⁴C method approximates net community production. Considering only phytoplankton metabolism, a way out of the paradox is to assume that all CO₂ respired by mitochondria is refixed in photosynthesis, meaning that photosynthesis uses more H₂O than CO₂ from the ambient environment since the latter has an internal source. The ¹⁴C method, therefore, would estimate net primary production relative to O₂ fluxes in the absence of heterotrophic interactions. The method can also be applied to the estimation of phytoplankton respiration from the nighttime loss of labeled organic matter. A summary of available data shows that C assimilation corrected for organic C lost is statistically equivalent to gross production measured independently using the ¹⁸O method.

KEY WORDS: Productivity · Phytoplankton · Photosynthesis · ¹⁴C · Refixation

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Cite this article as: Marra J (2009) Net and gross productivity: weighing in with 14C. Aquat Microb Ecol 56:123-131. https://doi.org/10.3354/ame01306 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn