In situ nitrogen (C₂H₂)-fixation in lakes of southern Victorialand, Antarctica

Nitrogenase fixation occurred in a number of habitats in and nearby several antarctic lakes. The observed acetylene reduction occurred in bluegreen algal mats in littoral areas that received maximal sunlight. The benthic bluegreen algal communities in reduced light under 5-6 m of permanent ice showed no detectable nitrogenase activity. The observed nitrogen fixation potential correlated with the presence of heterocystous bluegreen algae considered to be the major nitrogen fixing organisms in these habitats. The relatively low acetylene reduction rates suggest that a small but significant contribution of ammonia to these environments deficient in nitrogen may occur through nitrogen fixation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Microbiology

Department dc:contributor.department

Microbiology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1979

Author dc:creator

• Allnutt, F. C. Thomas

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/64562

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/64562