Abstract |
A field investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of using polyethylene tubes as in situ culture chambers in assessing the influence of selected nutrient factors on algal growth. The tubes contained added amounts of phosphorus or phosphorus and organic carbon (glucose) and were subsequently 'seeded' with naturally ocurring algal species. Periodic water samples taken from the tubes were analyzed for total and soluble phosphorus, total and soluble orthophosphorus, ammonium-N, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, particulate and dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved solids, chlorophyll a, and abundance of major phytoplankton species. Results were compared with those from ambient water. Growth of planktonic organisms, especially Aphanizomenon and Anabaena, reached levels 10 times more numerous in the experimental tubes than in the ambient water. Although modification of some parts of the technique are suggested the use of polyethylene tubes appears to be of considerable promise in future investigations. (Author) |