NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Diel Variations in Optical Properties of Micromonas pusilla, a PrasinophyteA laboratory experiment was conducted on cultures of Micromonas pusilla, a marine prasinophyte, to investigate how cell growth and division affect the optical properties over the light:dark cycle. Measurements were made of cell size and concentration, attenuation and absorption coefficients, flow cytometric light scattering (in forward and side directions), chlorophyll and carbon content. Refractive index was calculated using the anomalous diffraction approximation Cells were about 1.5 micrometers in diameter and exhibited phased division, with the major division burst occurring during the night. Typical diel variations were observed, with cells increasing in size and light scattering during the day as they photosynthesize and decreasing at night upon division. The cells were in ultradian growth, with more than one division per day, at a light level of 120 Mu-mol photons m/sq/sec. Since these cells are similar in size to small phytoplankton that are typically abundant in field samples, these results can be used in the interpretation of diel variations in light scattering in natural populations of phytoplankton.
Document ID
20010107311
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
DuRand, Michele D.
Green, Rebecca E.
Sosik, Heidi M.
Olson, Robert J.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
August 24, 2001
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
AD-A393406
Meeting Information
Meeting: Ocean Optics XV Conference
Country: Monaco
Start Date: October 16, 2000
End Date: October 20, 2000
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-95-1-0333
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-5217
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-7538
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available