Cellulose production by planktonic algae in a eutrophic pond and in an oligotrophic lake was estimated by comparing the amount of cellulose contained in intact algal cells with the amount of cellulose present in the water column. Cellulose contents of laboratory grown algal species representing the dominant cellulose producers were ranged from 2 to 39% of the total dry weight of cell mass, depending upon the species and stage of growth. The relative amounts of cellulose present in the water column ranged from 4 to 50% of the total dry weight of particulate matter.
It was estimated that more than 30% of cellulose in the water column was actually contributed by the viable algal cells present during the algal bloom. Despite its algal origin, more cellulose was found in the water column than could be accounted for by the number of algal cells observed. The difference was due to the accumulation of cellulose from previous algal crops. This observation indicated that production of algal cellulose exceeded decomposition and little or no decomposition of cellulosic material took place in the water column.
Keywords phytoplankton - cellulose - carbohydrate - particulate matter - water column - lacustrine environment