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Production of the giant kelp, Macrocystis , estimated by in situ incorporation of 14 C in polyethylene bags 1
Author(s) -
TOWLE DAVID W.,
PEARSE JOHN S.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1973.18.1.0155
Subject(s) - macrocystis pyrifera , kelp , standing crop , kelp forest , shading , polyethylene , dry weight , environmental science , oceanography , biology , botany , ecology , chemistry , biomass (ecology) , geology , art , organic chemistry , visual arts
Incorporation of 14 C by the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera was measured in situ by enclosing individual blades within polyethylene bags in a kelp bed. Incorporation was highest in the tips of the blades in the canopy, about 0.315 mg C g −1 hr −1 on the basis of wet weight. In the densest part of the kelp bed, total wet standing crop of Macrocystis was about 5.9 kg m −2 , and production of Macrocystis blades in that area was estimated to be at least 6.8 g C m −2 day −1 , or about 17 g organic matter m −2 day −1 .