794 E. Biological Oceanography OLR(1979)26(12)

the phase transition temperature of membranes from algae as an indicator of damage caused by the application of toxic materials; increases in this transition temperature after treatment of algae with toxic materials were observed. Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3GI, Canada.

79:6105 Moed, J. R. and G. M. Hallegraeff, 1978. Some prob-

lems in the estimation of chiorophyll-a and phaeo- pigments from pre- and post-acidification spec- trophotometric measurements. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrogr., 63(6): 787-800.

Possible inaccuracies in discriminating between chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments by spectropho- tometry are identified. Optimum conditions for pigment acidification applications include a pH range 2.6-2.8, the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid to organic solvents containing 10-20% water, and the omission of MgCO3 during filtration. Limno- logical Institute, Department Oosterzee. De Aakers 47, Oosterzee (Frl), The Netherlands. (izs)

79:6106 Oudot, Claude, 1978. lnt~r~t du concept NO (oxy-

gene corrig6 de la respiration) pour 1'6tude de l'Ecosysteme de I'upwelling ¢xluatorial. [NO- respiration corrected oxygen: a useful concept for the study of the Equatorial Upwelling ecosystem.] Cah. ORSTOM, S~r. Oc~anogr., 16(2): 191-199.

The parameter 'NO' (respiration-corrected dissolved 02 content of a water mass) is a good hydrological tracer in the Equatorial Upwelling region. Meridional distributions of NO confirm previous ideas on Equatorial Upwelling dynamics and the organic production-remineralization cycle. O.R.S.T.O.M., C.R.O.B.P. V 18, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (mjj)

79:6107 Peters, R. H., 1977/78. Empirical physiological

models of ecosystem processes. Proc. inst. Ass. theor, appl. Limnol. (Verb. int. Verein. theor. Angew. Limnol.), 20(1): I lO-118.

Equations which empirically describe physiological rates as a function of animal body weight are linked in a model which gives qualitative predictions about holistic ecosystem properties such as successional change or material flow. Results suggest that an organism's trophic position has little effect on ingestion or production rates, and that poikilothermy has little effect on production. Increased variation at small body sizes could be due to experimental artifacts. Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 McGregor Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3A I BI, Canada. (mjj)

79:6108 Scherer, E. and S. Harrison, 1978/79. Locomotor

activity testing using sonar beam interruptions. Fish. mar. Serv., tech. Rept, Can., 862: 201-210.

Two prototype actograph systems for monitoring changes in aquatic organisms' locomotor activity patterns and levels are described. Interruption of the sonar beam (200 kHz) by fish 20-60 cm in length caused a 90-99% drop on the receiving end of the signal. The systems may have application for monitoring toxicant effects on locomotor activity. Freshwater Institute, Department of Fisheries and Environment, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada. (smf)

79:6109 Shipton, H. W., 1979. The microprocessor, a new tool

for the biosciences. A. Rev. Biophys. Bioengng, 8: 269-286.

Potential applications of microcomputer methods are reviewed with an emphasis on signal acquisition, processing and control. Applications that are independent of computer size are excluded, as are those which require extensive or conventional peripherals. Implications of the development of this new technology are discussed. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, U.S.A. (rio)

79:6110 Swartz, R. C., W. A. DeBen and F. A. Cole, 1979.

A bioassay for the toxicity of sediment to marine macrobenthos. J. Wat. Pollut. Control Fed.. 51 (5): 944-950.

Presented are results of experiments that contributed to the development of the bioassay for dredged sediments required by the Ocean Dumping Regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency. Sediments from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S., and the Gulf of Mexico, were used. Five species of macrobenthic invertebrates were selected as the best test organisms. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Newport, Oreg., U.S.A. (mjj)

79:6111 Throndsen, Jahn, 1978. Preservation and storage

[of phytoplankton]. Monogr. oceanogr. Meth- odol., U.N., 6: 69-74.

The critical stage in most phytoplankton work, i.e., the handling of samples after collection, is discussed as well as the minimization of quantitative and qualitative compositional changes before subsequent treatment of the samples. Staining procedures are briefly covered. Department of Marine Biology and Limnoiogy, Section of Marine Botany, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1069, Blindern, Oslo 3, Norway. (izs)