Sr. Erga et al., An optical detection system for the study of fine scale vertical displacement of microalgae in an artificial water column, J PHYCOLOGY, 35(2), 1999, pp. 425-432
A proper knowledge of the vertical organization of the phytoplankton is of
fundamental importance for our understanding of the functions of pelagic ec
osystems. Essential in this context is the existence of vertical gradients
in environmental parameters. However, little is known about how the fine ve
rtical structures of phytoplankton species are formed and maintained. In si
tu study of phytoplankton is biased by the fact that submersing instruments
can disturb or even destroy the fine vertical gradients in species composi
tion and/or cell numbers. We have designed and constructed an optical instr
umentation system by which fine-scale vertical displacements of microalgae
can be studied in an artificial water column without influencing fine physi
cal, chemical, and biological structures of the water column. This enables
us to find out more about the fine-scale behavioral responses of microalgae
to vertical gradients in environmental parameters. We describe the main sy
stem, present some test results, and conclude that our optical system is ab
le to reveal fine-scale vertical displacements of microalgae in an artifici
al water column and that the system can detect differences in cell densitie
s down to 100 cells.ml(-1).