A device for the continuous measurement of algal photosynthetic response to light

A device is described for continuously monitoring the photosynthetic response to light of phytoplankton in eutrophic waters. Water is pumped from the system being monitored, and flows in parallel into 8 chambers that are placed in a light gradient. Dissolved oxygen is measured periodically at the in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water research (Oxford) 1986, Vol.20 (4), p.509-516
Main Authors: Gallegos, Charles L, Schiebe, Frank R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
continuous monitoring
light
photosynthesis
phytoplankton
water quality
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Summary:A device is described for continuously monitoring the photosynthetic response to light of phytoplankton in eutrophic waters. Water is pumped from the system being monitored, and flows in parallel into 8 chambers that are placed in a light gradient. Dissolved oxygen is measured periodically at the inflow and outflow of each chamber. Solution of the dynamic mass balance equation for a well mixed system provides an estimate of net photosynthetic oxygen evolution as a function of light intensity. The last chamber is darkened with opaque plastic thereby providing a continuous estimate of community dark respiration. The assumptions made in design of the system are verified by tracer studies. The utility of the system is demonstrated by comparison with in situ incubations, and by results of monitoring phytoplankton growth in turbid waters.
ISSN:0043-1354
1879-2448
DOI:10.1016/0043-1354(86)90201-0