Determination of Particulate-Nutrient Availability

Abstract

A procedure for direct contact algal assay is described which provides quantitative data on phosphorus transfer from soil to algae in serial 14-day incubations. The algae/soil/liquid phases are in direct contact. The procedure requires no special equipment other than that specified for algal assays in the Selenastrum capricornutum Printz Algal Assay Bottle Test. The method is a multi-interval assay and, as a result, provides a higher and more realistic value for maximum algal available phosphorus than obtainable using single interval assays.