Study on the Phosphorus Content of Algae

Study was conducted on how the phosphorus content of algae changed by the algal species and the algal growth conditions. Phosphorus contents were not so different by algal species if algae grow on the same phosphorus concentration. Phosphorus content of algae grown on higher P medium was higher than that of algae grown on lower P medium. Algae excrete P-compounds from cell to the medium when the dissolved reactive phosphorus is depleted in the medium, and the excreted P-compounds were decomposed by algae and used for the growth of algae. Phosphorus content of algae grown in the P-limited condition was about 5-1 $\mu$gP/mg dry wt., but that of algae grown in the condition not P-lirnited was above 10$\mu$gP/rng dry wt.