COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF ACTIVATION-ENERGIES OF CONDUCTANCE AND DESICCATION RATES OF SOME MARINE-ALGAE

Measurements of the activation energy of electrical conductance and de siccation rates on subtidal marine algae from Florida were compared to similar data from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, on intertidal marine algae frequently subjected to long periods of exposure to air. We hav e developed a method for calculating the reaction rate constant of des iccation of fully hydrated marine algae. Values of activation energies and desiccation rate constants are consistent with the requirements f or survival of these algae under widely different environmental condit ions.