Adenosine Triphosphate as a Microbial Biomass Indicator in Aquatic Systems
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is present in all living cells and degrades rapidly following cell death, making it a potential proxy for living microbial biomass in aquatic systems. Controversy remains regarding whether physiological conditions, such as phosphorus concentration, change the cellular ATP levels. To test the hypothesis that nutrient regime influences cellular ATP concentration, we grew the freshwater green algae, Scenedesmus dimorphus, under nitrogen-limited and phosphorus-limited conditions, and under conditions without nutrient limitation. Samples were collected periodically and analyzed for ATP, particulate carbon, and nitrogen. ATP concentrations were determined using bioluminescence, carbon with a mass spectrometer, or a Carbon-Nitrogen-Hydrogen analyzer. Our results show that, while the carbon to ATP ratios were significantly lower in phosphorus-limited cells, the difference was smaller than previously reported. Using individual cell measurements, we are currently analyzing the extent to which morphology and additional carbon enrichment contribute to the observed imbalance between carbon and ATP.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Alexander Bochdansky
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
abochdan@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean and Earth Sciences
College/School Affiliation
College of Sciences
Student Level Group
Graduate/Professional
Presentation Type
Poster
Adenosine Triphosphate as a Microbial Biomass Indicator in Aquatic Systems
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is present in all living cells and degrades rapidly following cell death, making it a potential proxy for living microbial biomass in aquatic systems. Controversy remains regarding whether physiological conditions, such as phosphorus concentration, change the cellular ATP levels. To test the hypothesis that nutrient regime influences cellular ATP concentration, we grew the freshwater green algae, Scenedesmus dimorphus, under nitrogen-limited and phosphorus-limited conditions, and under conditions without nutrient limitation. Samples were collected periodically and analyzed for ATP, particulate carbon, and nitrogen. ATP concentrations were determined using bioluminescence, carbon with a mass spectrometer, or a Carbon-Nitrogen-Hydrogen analyzer. Our results show that, while the carbon to ATP ratios were significantly lower in phosphorus-limited cells, the difference was smaller than previously reported. Using individual cell measurements, we are currently analyzing the extent to which morphology and additional carbon enrichment contribute to the observed imbalance between carbon and ATP.