Calculation of Daily Average Photosynthesis
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 2
Abstract
It is important to integrate net photosynthesis over depth and time to obtain accurate estimates of daily average net photosynthetic rates. Three different methods for calculating daily average net photosynthesis in a water column as a function of incident light are evaluated. Systematic errors are introduced in two of these methods by failing to accommodate the logarithmic extinction of light in one case and by failing to accommodate the variability of incident light within a day in the other case. The severity of the error increases as the amount of incident light received in a day increases. The magnitude of the error can be significant, e.g., comparable to oxygen deficits associated with large point discharges of oxygen—demanding substances, in deep turbid rivers enriched in phytoplankton. These sources of error should be avoided in modeling productive rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Auer, M. T., and Effler, S. W. (1989). “Variability in photosynthesis: Impact on DO models.” J. Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 115(5), 944–963.
2.
Bannister, T. T. (1974). “A general theory of steady‐state phytoplankton growth in a nutrient saturated mixed layer.” Limnology and Oceanography, 19(1), 1–12.
3.
Barth, A. K. (1984). “The effects of light intensity and temperature on photosynthesis and respiration in natural phytoplankton assemblages from Green Bay (Lake Michigan),” thesis presented to the Michigan Technological University, at Houghton, Mich., in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
4.
Brown, L. C., and Barnwell, T. O., Jr. (1985). “Computer program for the enhanced stream water quality model QUAL2E.” EPA/600/3‐85/065, U.S. Envir. Protection Agency, Envir. Res. Lab., Athens, Ga., Aug.
5.
Camp, T. R. (1965). “Field estimates of oxygen balance parameters.” J. Sank. Engrg. Div., ASCE, 91(5), 1–16.
6.
Canale, R. P., and Auer, M. T. (1982). “Ecological studies and mathematical modeling of Cladophora in Lake Huron: 5. Model development and calibration.” J. Great Lakes Res., 8(1), 112–125.
7.
Field, S. D., and Effler, S. W. (1982). “Photosynthesis—Light mathematical formulations.” J. Envir. Engrg. Div., ASCE, 108(1), 199–203.
8.
O'Connell, R. L., and Thomas, N. A. (1965). “Effects of benthic algae on stream dissolved oxygen.” J. Envir. Engrg. Div., ASCE, 91(3), 1–16.
9.
Rutherford, J. C. (1977). “Modeling effects of aquatic plants in rivers.” J. Envir. Engrg. Div., ASCE, 103(4), 575–591.
10.
Vollenweider, R. A. (1969). “Calculation of day rates per unit of lake surface.” A manual on methods for measuring primary production in aquatic environments (IBP Handbook No. 12), R. A. Vollenweider, ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, Great Britain, 117–123.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 ASCE.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1990
Published in print: Mar 1990
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.