The effects of turbulence on phytoplankton growth have received considerable attentions. However, the complexity of turbulence poses a significant challenge to its systematic characterization in the laboratory, resulting in relatively limited data on the effects of turbulence on several algal species. Here, a laboratory turbulence simulation system was set up to systematically investigate the growth of three common diatom species (Thalassiosira pseudonana, Skeletonema costatum, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum) under stationary and turbulent conditions (at 60, 120, 180 rpm), and measurements were taken for the algal biomass, algal photosynthetic activity, and nutrients consumption. By comparing the growth of three algae species under different turbulence exposure intensities, this study found that different algae exhibit varying sensitivities to turbulence, and therefore have different shear thresholds. Meanwhile, cell morphology is the key factor influencing the different shear threshold values observed in the three diatom species. Additionally, turbulence could impact algal aggregation and light availability, and dramatically improve nutrient uptake by phytoplankton. Our study will provides theoretical support for future endeavors in using turbulence to cultivate phytoplankton or combat algal blooms.

中文翻译：

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湍流对三种不同硅藻物种生长的影响


湍流对浮游植物生长的影响受到了广泛的关注。然而，湍流的复杂性对其在实验室中的系统表征提出了重大挑战，导致有关湍流对几种藻类影响的数据相对有限。这里建立了实验室湍流模拟系统，系统地研究了三种常见硅藻物种（假微型海链藻、中肋骨条藻和三角褐指藻）在静止和湍流条件下（60、120、180 rpm）的生长情况，并进行了测量用于藻类生物量、藻类光合活性和养分消耗。通过比较三种藻类在不同湍流暴露强度下的生长情况，本研究发现不同藻类对湍流表现出不同的敏感性，因此具有不同的剪切阈值。同时，细胞形态是影响三种硅藻物种不同剪切阈值的关键因素。此外，湍流可能会影响藻类聚集和光利用率，并显着提高浮游植物对养分的吸收。我们的研究将为未来利用湍流培养浮游植物或对抗藻华的努力提供理论支持。