Nutrient uptake rates in plants are, in part, regulated by growth rate and nutrient needs (Clarkson, 1985). When nutrient needs are high, such as when plants are growing quickly, nutrient uptake will be greater. Relative growth rate was fastest early in the experiment with a rate of 0.10 which declined to 0.01 by 10 weeks and remained unchanged to the end of the experiment. This correspond well with the high phosphate removal rates early in the experiment as well as the normalized removal rates. Higher phosphate removal early in the experiment may also be due to increased demand phosphate is needed for root development which is occurring ata greater rate when plants are young. Additionally, many plants engage in luxury uptake of phosphate when plants are young to offset anticipated demands later .The decrease in DIN removal rate at 10 weeks and subsequent increase at 13 weeks is more difficult to interpret. If nutrient concentrations were insufficient to support high growth rates,then removal rates would decrease. However, nutrient concentrations were consistent over the course of the experiment but there may have been some other environmental variable such as high air temperatures which stressed the plants and affected DIN uptake.