FURTHER MEASUREMENTS OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION USING A LARGE-VOLUME PLASTIC SPHERE

摘要: The experiment described by McAllister, et al. (1961), in which a phytoplankton bloom was induced to occur free-floating 20-ft diameter thin transparent plastic sphere has been repeated. Daily measurements were made of nutrients, particulate matter, and photosynthetic rates with less frequent assays for vitamins dissolved organic matter. In situ light recorded bolometer. prolonged 100 days study decay, most this period being the dark. The consisted mainly 6 species diatom one large dinoflagellate. mean composition crop at various stages its development is reported ratios involving chlorophyll carbon. A detailed discussion given findings which, general, confirmed those earlier work yielded, addition, valuable new information. The plant cells excreted 35–40% their matter during growth. C14 method measuring photosynthesis gave results agreeing well production carbon. The growth kinetics dominated constancy cell division relatively independent temperature light. rate per unit also remarkably constant not proportional intensity, developing highly efficient mechanism respect available radiant energy. The chemical changed after depletion nutrients from surrounding water. carbon, protein, phosphorus decreased. silicon lipid contents remained nearly carbohydrate increased. During decay over half remineralized 2 weeks. Silicon returned solution more slowly but rate. There no significant nitrification even 75 days. consumption oxygen occurred oxidation “dissolved” interaction material. latter may have important as surface bacteria. evolution carbon dioxide time proceeded variable RQ, around 0.5 immediately increased “old” water present beginning end experiment.