Dr. Thomas will study the effects of small scale turbulence on phytoplankton using a series of laboratory devices designed to expose the algae to varying levels of motion.He will then measure the growth rates and productivity of the organisms as well as their pigment composition, cell sizes and behavior to determine the impacts of the increased turbulence upon their physiology. It is hypothesized that the growth inhibition of dinoflagellates by small scale turbulence is the reason that red tides do not occur with moderate to strong wind conditions. This will aid in the prediction of the occurrence of many of the toxic outbreaks of red tides in the coastal regions.
