Dissolved organic nitrogen hydrolysis rates in axenic cultures of Aureococcus anophagefferens (Pelagophyceae): comparison with heterotrophic bacteria

The picoplankton Aureococus anophagefferens can use dissolved organic nitrogen in many forms, including peptides, chitobiose, acetamide, and urea. It can metabolize these nitrogen sources at higher rates than many other bacteria. This allows it to outgrow other phytoplankton that can only use inorganic nitrogen.