Potential thiamine deficiency of phytoplankton across a productivity gradient and seasons in Ohio lakes
Freshwater Biology
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Abstract
- Although nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency of algal blooms have been the focus of substantial attention, organic nutrients can limit algal growth in aquatic systems. Growing evidence indicates thiamine (vitamin B1) can influence the community of primary producers in marine systems, but comparatively little is known about the effect of thiamine on freshwater algal productivity.
- We conducted 106 nutrient deficiency experiments with water from 39 Ohio lakes of varying trophic status during the growing seasons (April–October) of 2008–2009. Specifically, we tested the response of phytoplankton biomass (as chlorophyll a, chl-a) relative to controls to added nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), thiamine (Th), or combinations of N + P and N + P + Th. Next, we compared the chl-a growth response of treatment/control to published thresholds based on frequentist approaches and compared the conclusions with Bayesian model results that focused on probability of a response.
- Although N + P addition was consistently associated with the largest chl-a response, we found evidence of a thiamine influence on phytoplankton growth in some experiments. The Bayesian approach suggested thiamine may become more limiting as the growing season progresses. By late in the growing season, there was an 85% probability of a positive algal growth response to thiamine addition.
- Understanding the role of thiamine or other overlooked nutrients is not likely to alter the prevailing understanding of nutrient deficiency in freshwater ecosystems. However, we present evidence that freshwater phytoplankton may experience thiamine deficiency and suggest limnologists consider thiamine when exploring resource deficiencies.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Potential thiamine deficiency of phytoplankton across a productivity gradient and seasons in Ohio lakes |
| Series title | Freshwater Biology |
| DOI | 10.1111/fwb.70134 |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue | 11 |
| Publication Date | November 26, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Columbia Environmental Research Center |
| Description | e70134, 9 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |