Hydromechanical stimulation of bioluminescent plankton.
The response of the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis was investigated for different hydraulic conditions ('hydromechanical stimulation'). Pipe flow and oscillating shear produced luminescence, whereas changes in hydrostatic pressure were not stimulating. More intense fluid motion led to higher intensity, mainly due to a higher probability of cell response. The organism was also able to emit light in a glucose-salt mixture. The experiments suggest that the cells are effectively stimulated if the flow conditions change in time.
Blaser
Stefan
S
Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. blaser@ihw.baug.ethz.ch
Kurisu
Futoshi
F
Satoh
Hiroyasu
H
Mino
Takashi
T
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D049449:Luminescence; D010933:Plankton / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D012212:Rheology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical