Periphytic oxygen production in outdoor experimental channels

The contribution of periphytic oxygen was quantified in outdoor artificial streams. A factorial design was employed to determine the effect of stream velocity and light on periphytic growth, measured as chlorophyll α. Results showed that periphytic oxygen production can be estimated by the equation: =0.91 × 10⁻³ × Light Intensity (1x) + 0.061 for light intensities to 5000 ft-candles (53,800 lx). Stream velocity was found to be statistically insignificant in affecting oxygen production, but was a factor in periphyton accural and species composition. Gross oxygen production exceeded respiration by a factor of three.