A Microflow Respirometer for Measuring the Oxygen Consumption of Small Aquatic Organisms

Abstract

lie!/ /cord.<: micromensnrinp method. respiration riitc. : t q i i i i t i C meio-and micmf:tiiiiri niicl.orespiratioii device is decrihed which uses a Clark electrode to rneiinure the oxygeii consiiiiiption or ])rotluctiori of snitill and microscopic uqiiatic organisms in RII open flow system. 'J'liv mnstrriction and n.orking principles of the device, which cnn measure oxygen coiisuinptions :is Ioni i s 0.5 nl * h-I. are described. The design of the appma.tus permit,s parallel mcasurenientn under identical rondit,ions with A single electrode. The device can be niiit,ched to various sizes o f animal iind oxygen consoniption rates by means of specimen chambers of different volumes ((i !LI, 3.5 pl, 140 pl) and ti wrinble water flow rate. The microflow respiration device has twcw used successfully to mensure the respiration of zoopliuikton and rneiobenthos organisms iis well :is protozoans anti has also been used sucwssfully on board a. research vessel.