Microcomputer-assisted systems for recording and control of growing phytoplankton cultures

This report describes a basic unit for microcomputer-assistedrecording of the turbidity of phytoplankton cultures. The unitis applied in several experimental systems for single and multiplebatch and dilution cultures in combination with different typesof control functions. These applications include: (i) singlebatch cultures with double-beam recording, temperature compensation,manual or automatic dilution and sampling; (ii) a multiturbidometerdesigned to record the growth of 16 batch cultures simultaneously;and (iii) a triple cage-culture turbidostat system. Selectedexamples of application with Skeletonema costatum have alsobeen included to illustrate some of the possibilities of suchmicrocomputer-assisted systems. These examples include studiesof ultradian growth rhythms, toxicity testing and light–shadeadaptation.