Research at
Gallaudet University
2005 - 2006

Regulation of Dinoflagellate Urease by Different Nitrogen Substrates

Status: Ongoing Begin date: January, 2004 End date: No set date

Description

The project looked at the ability of three dinoflagellates (a type of phytoplankton), one chlorophyte and one haptophyte to use urea through the enzyme, urease. Experiments were conducted to examine the possible connection between phytoplankton physiology and response to different nitrogen forms (urea, nitrate, and ammonium) under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Data obtained from this project provided some understanding of dinoflagellate (which often are harmful species) response to various nitrogen sources and the possible role of urea in bloom frequency in the Chesapeake Bay.

Investigators