Organic carbon release by Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta) under different growth conditions of CO2, nitrogen, and salinity

Two strains of Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teod., UTEX 1644 and UTEX 200, were cultured under different growth regimes, including 10 mM NO3− or NH4+, 1.5 or 3.0 M NaCl, and low (0.035%) or high (5%) CO2 in air. The release of 14C-labeled dissolved organic carbon (DOC), expressed as a rate and as a percentage of photosynthetic 14CO2 assimilation, was subsequently determined. The percentage of DOC released was inversely related to cell density in the assay medium, but photosynthesis on a per-cell basis was not. Release of DOC was low, in the range of 1–5% of photosynthesis, but during acclimation to growth on NH4+, it rose to 11%. The presence of NH4+ rather than NO3− in the growth medium increased the rate of release by both strains, but the percentage release was stimulated only in UTEX 200 cells, because their photosynthetic rate was depressed by NH4+. For UTEX 1644, high, as compared to low, CO2-grown cells, had somewhat higher rates and percentages of DOC release, but release from UTEX 200 cells was unaffected by the growth-CO2. The rate of DOC release by high CO2-grown cells was not enhanced at a low concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon, indicating that the released material did not originate from the photorespiratory pathway. The effects of NaCl on DOC release varied with strain and growth conditions. For UTEX 200, the cells in NO3−, but not NH4+, exhibited a doubling or more in percentage of release with a doubling in NaCl concentration, irrespective of growth-CO2. With UTEX 1644 the low CO2-grown cells showed the greatest enhancement in 3.0 M NaCl. Organic matter accumulated on the external surface of the cell membrane and constituted a well-defined cell-coat, which was more dense in NH4+ than in NO3−-grown cells. Microtubules, which may play a role in maintaining cell shape, were observed just below the plasma membrane. From a practical viewpoint, the presence of organic material in the hypersaline ponds of salt-works is detrimental to salt production. When D. salina cells become abundant in such ponds, the attendant, continuous release of DOC may make a significant contribution to the problem