You need JavaScript to view this

Use of radio-active carbon (/sup 14/C) for measuring organic production in the sea

Abstract

A method for measuring the photosynthesis of plankton algae in a water sample by means of assimilated /sup 14/C is described. It is shown that the assimilation of /sup 14/C in organic matter otherwise than by photosynthesis is of quite insignificant importance. An account is given of the isotope effect in photosynthesis. Two different methods for the measurement of production of matter per surface unit are described. In the first method samples of water are taken from the various depths and transferred to bottles with glass stoppers. After addition of /sup 14/C, the bottles are suspended at the depths from which the samples were taken, and left there from noon to sunset, for instance. In the other method the bottles are placed in a water-bath which is illuminated by a definite light intensity. The penetration of light in the sea is determined at the same time. The production of matter per surface unit is calculated by means of a formula involving the determination of the depth at which 1 per cent of the total amount of green and blue light occurs, and measurement of the intensities of assimilation in water-bath. The formula, which applies to the tropics, has been derived  More>>
Authors:
Publication Date:
Jan 01, 1952
Product Type:
Journal Article
Reference Number:
EDB-84-159585
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: J. Cons., Cons. Int. Explor. Mer.; (Denmark); Journal Volume: 18:2
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ALGAE; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; ACIDIFICATION; CARBON 14; INDIAN OCEAN; ORGANIC MATTER; SEAS; BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; CARBON ISOTOPES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; LIGHT NUCLEI; NUCLEI; PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS; PLANTS; RADIOISOTOPES; SURFACE WATERS; SYNTHESIS; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; 500100* - Environment, Atmospheric- Basic Studies- (-1989)
OSTI ID:
6544449
Country of Origin:
Denmark
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: CODEN: JCOWA
Submitting Site:
HEDB
Size:
Pages: 117-140
Announcement Date:
Aug 01, 1983

Citation Formats

Nielsen, E S. Use of radio-active carbon (/sup 14/C) for measuring organic production in the sea. Denmark: N. p., 1952. Web.
Nielsen, E S. Use of radio-active carbon (/sup 14/C) for measuring organic production in the sea. Denmark.
Nielsen, E S. 1952. "Use of radio-active carbon (/sup 14/C) for measuring organic production in the sea." Denmark.
@misc{etde_6544449,
title = {Use of radio-active carbon (/sup 14/C) for measuring organic production in the sea}
author = {Nielsen, E S}
abstractNote = {A method for measuring the photosynthesis of plankton algae in a water sample by means of assimilated /sup 14/C is described. It is shown that the assimilation of /sup 14/C in organic matter otherwise than by photosynthesis is of quite insignificant importance. An account is given of the isotope effect in photosynthesis. Two different methods for the measurement of production of matter per surface unit are described. In the first method samples of water are taken from the various depths and transferred to bottles with glass stoppers. After addition of /sup 14/C, the bottles are suspended at the depths from which the samples were taken, and left there from noon to sunset, for instance. In the other method the bottles are placed in a water-bath which is illuminated by a definite light intensity. The penetration of light in the sea is determined at the same time. The production of matter per surface unit is calculated by means of a formula involving the determination of the depth at which 1 per cent of the total amount of green and blue light occurs, and measurement of the intensities of assimilation in water-bath. The formula, which applies to the tropics, has been derived by comparing the results from all tropical stations, at which observations by the two methods were made simultaneously. The values found for production of matter on a section across the Indian Ocean are recorded. The net production of matter for all sea regions on the globe is estimated at about 1.5 x 10/sup +10/ tons of carbon per year, which is slightly less than the amount produced on land, and the hitherto accepted figures for the production of matter in the sea have proved to be greatly exaggerated.}
journal = []
volume = {18:2}
journal type = {AC}
place = {Denmark}
year = {1952}
month = {Jan}
}