Periphytic oxygen production in outdoor experimental channels

The contribution of periphytic oxygen was quantified in outdoor artificial streams. A factorial design was employed to determine the effect of stream velocity and light on periphytic growth, measured as chlorophyll [alpha]. Results showed that periphytic oxygen production can be estimated by the equation: =0.91 x 10-3 x Light Intensity (1x) + 0.061 for light intensities to 5000 ft-candles (53,800 lx). Stream velocity was found to be statistically insignificant in affecting oxygen production, but was a factor in periphyton accural and species composition. Gross oxygen production exceeded respiration by a factor of three.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25029/1/0000456.pd