In this report measurements of photosynthetic rates per unit of phytoplankton volume …

• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Summary
• Literature Cited
• Figures

Biology Articles » Hydrobiology » Photosynthesis in naturally reared aquatic communities » Summary

Summary

- Photosynthesis in naturally reared aquatic communities

1. A method of measuring photosynthesis, using pH-change as a measure of C02-removal from natural water, is recommended for studying naturally reared plankton communities.

2. A study of the communities arising in western Lake Erie during 1949 (using fluorescent light of 400 fc) showed a high correlation between volume of phytoplankton and photosynthetic rate, indicating that the major components of these communities were much alike in photosynthetic activity. The total photosynthesis per volumetric unit of phytoplankton was about 1.7 micromoles of C02 absorbed per 106 standard units per hour (unit is 8 x 103 cubic micra).

3. The data suggest that the standing crop of phytoplankton, when expressed in volumetric units, may be a fairly reliable index of productivity.

The author wishes to acknowledge that the work was facilitated by the encouragement and aid of Dr. T. H. Langlois, director of the. Institute, and Edward Kinney, his assistant.