Nitrogen Fixation During Blooms of Nodularia in Coastal Waters and Backwaters of the Arkona Sea (Baltic Sea) in 1974

Abstract

AbstractNitrogen fixation was investigated by means of the acetylene reduction method during the development of a water bloom of Nodularia in coastal waters of the Baltic Sea west of the island of Hiddensee and in backwaters showing different degrees of eutrophication. Depending on plankton density, the values found varied greatly. The maximum of nitrogen fixation values found in extremely dense water blooms under special conditions (Baltic Sea, 2250 μg N2/l · h; Kleiner Jasmunder Bodden, 374 μg N2/l · h) are up to 103 times higher than from other parts of the Baltic Sea or from inland waters. The average nitrogenase activity determined for coastal water populations of the Baltic Sea is 2.15 pg N2/heterocyst · h and that of the inmost backwaters 0.77 pg N2/heterocyst · h. The relationship between N2‐fixation and nutrient content in water is discussed.