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A LOW‐VOLUME FLOW TANK FOR MEASURING NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY LARGE MACROPHYTES 1
Author(s) -
Hurd Catriona L.,
Quick Michael,
Stevens Craig L.,
Laval Bernard E.,
Harrison Paul J.,
Druehl Louis D.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1994.00892.x
Subject(s) - turbulence , macrophyte , nutrient , volume (thermodynamics) , laminar flow , biology , seawater , flow (mathematics) , propeller , flow visualization , oceanography , mechanics , ecology , physics , geology , quantum mechanics
A recirculating flow‐tank was designed and tested to measure inorganic nutrient uptake by, and visualize the movement of seawater around, large macrophytes. The tank volume was small (46 L), and a propeller drive produced unidirectional mean flow. A turbulence reduction section dampened turbulence in the test section to a low level, so that water movement within this region was virtually laminar. The test section of the tank was wider than that of previous designs, allowing whole blades of Macrocystis integrifolia Bory and juvenile plants of Nereocystis luetkeana (Mert.) Post, et Rupr. to be placed in the flow, away from the influence of velocity boundary layers associated with the tank walls. The tank's use in macroalgae nutrient uptake and flow visualization experiments was demonstrated.