Nutrient limitation of the macroalga Enteromorpha intestinalis collected along a resource gradient in a highly eutrophic estuary

We conducted a laboratory experiment to quantify nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) limitation of macroalgae collected along a gradient in water column nutrient availability in Upper Newport Bay estuary, a relatively nutrient-rich system in southern California, United States. We collected Enteromorpha intestinalis and water for use in the experiment from five sites ranging from the lower end of the estuary to the head. Initial algal tissue N and P concentrations and molar N:P ratios-as well as water column NO3 and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN)-increased along a spatial gradient from the lower end toward the head. Water column soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) varied among sites as well but did not follow a pattern of increasing from the seaward end toward the head. Algae from each site were assigned to one of four experimental treatments: control (C), nitrogen enrichment (+N), phosphorus enrichment (+P), and nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment (+N+P). Each week for 3 wk we replaced the water in each unit with the appropriate treatment water to mimic a poorly flushed estuary. After 3 wk, the degree of nutrient limitation of E. intestinalis varied spatially with distance from the head of the estuary. Growth of E. intestinalis collected from several sites increased with N enrichment alone and increased further when P was added in combination with N. This indicated that N was limiting and that when N was sufficient, P became limiting. Sites from which E. intestinalis exhibited nutrient limitation spanned the range of background water column NO3 (12.9 +/- 0.4 to 55.2 +/- 2.1 muM) and SRP (0.8 +/- 0.0 to 2.9 +/- 0.2 muM) concentrations. Algae that were N limited had initial tissue N levels ranging from 1.18 +/- 0.03 to 2.81 +/- 0.08% dry weight and molar N:P ratios ranging from 16.75 +/- 0.39 to 26.40 +/- 1.98.