Abstract:
Since the past few decades, nutrient dynamics in the Yellow Sea have undergone continuous change, specifically, an increase in the nitrogen:phosphorus ratio. This phenomenon has significantly influenced the relative growth rate (
RGR), biomass production, and nutrient contents of macroalgae. This study investigated the response of four macroalgal species native to the Yellow Sea:
Ulva pertusa,
Ulva prolifera,
Gracilariopsis longissima, and
Grateloupia filicina. They were cultured in triplicate under six ambient N:P ratios—4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 16:1, 20:1, and 24:1. We observed that high N:P ratios (16:1–24:1) significantly limited the
RGR and nutrient assimilation rate. However, an 8:1 ratio was optimal for macroalgal species. With an increase in N:P, the
RGRs of
U.
pertusa,
U.
prolifera, and
G.
longissima were reduced by >50%, but only by 17% in
G.
filicina. Higher P storage capacity and lower tissue N:P and C:P ratios revealed that the green macroalgae
U.
pertusa and
U.
prolifera were more adaptable to high N:P ratios than the red macroalgae
G.
longissima and
G.
filicina. Furthermore, the assimilation rates of C, N, and P for all macroalgae except
G.
filicina declined significantly with increasing N:P ratios. These findings provide key insights into the differential susceptibility of macroalgal species to nutrient imbalances and highlight the importance of species-specific responses in understanding the ecological impacts of changing nutrient ratios.