Growth Inhibition Caused by Turbulence in the Toxic Marine Dinoflagellate Gonyaulax excavata

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Abstract
The effects of agitation on growth of Gonyaulax excavata were determined using laboratory cultures. Continuous rotary shaking of cultures at speeds of 125 rpm and greater caused rapid death and disintegration of cells, while shaking at slower speeds caused inhibition of growth rate compared to nonshaken cultures. Also, intermittent shaking, even for as little as 30 min/day, caused growth inhibition. The study suggests that small-scale, oceanic turbulence of sufficient intensity may inhibit growth of individual dinoflagellate cells.