Vertical Distribution of Phytoplankton

浮游植物的垂直分布Elena Litchman佐治亚理工学院微型藻类（浮游植物）形成了大多数水生食物网的基础，并影响淡水和海洋环境的水质。 浮游植物在水中的分布往往不均匀：它们可以形成表面浮渣和地下最大。 这些不均匀的分布可能会对浮游动物和鱼类以及物质和能量的循环产生重大影响，从而可能影响水质和生态系统的功能。 本项目将利用数学模型和实验室实验研究浮游植物非均匀分布的形成和维持机制。 浮游生物塔实验将使他们能够在高度受控但空间分辨的环境中测试新理论的预测。 在实验和理论生态学的接口的研究将涉及本科生从格鲁吉亚理工学院以及从历史上的黑人大学在亚特兰大地区。 所提供的资金还将帮助女科学家开始独立的职业生涯。 淡水生态系统对人类福祉至关重要，并受到人类活动的严重影响。 在这个项目中获得的结果将提供基本的见解，他们的动态，这将有助于更好地管理湖泊。

Vertical Distribution of Phytoplankton Elena LitchmanGeorgia Tech Research Corporation - GA Institute of TechnologyMicroscopic algae (phytoplankton) form the base of the most aquatic food webs and affect water quality in both freshwater and marine environments. Phytoplankton often are distributed non-uniformly in the water: they can form surface scums and subsurface maxima. These non-uniform distributions may significantly impact zooplankton and fish and cycling of material and energy, thus potentially affecting water quality and ecosystem functioning. This project will examine the mechanisms for the formation and maintenance of non-uniform phytoplankton distributions using mathematical models and laboratory experiments. Plankton tower experiments will allow them to test the predictions of the new theory in highly controlled yet spatially resolved environment. The research at the interface of experimental and theoretical ecology will involve undergraduates from Georgia Tech as well as from the historically black colleges in Atlanta area. Funding provided will also help launch an independent career of a woman scientist. Freshwater ecosystems are essential to human well-being and are heavily impacted by human activities. The results obtained in this project will provide fundamental insights into their dynamics, which will allow better management of lakes.