The Effects of Temperature and Light on Attached Forms of Tropical and Semi-Tropical Macroalgae Potentially Associated with OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) Machine Operation

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Abstract
In 28 day growth-cycles Rhodophyta (Laurencia poitei and Gracilaria ferox) and 1 sp. of Phaeophyta (Sargassum fluitans) grew significantly higher (P < 0.05) at lower temperatures (20.0.degree. C) and higher light (134-174 .mu.E [microeinstein]m2 s-1) than other combinations of these conditions. High light intensity affected growth most clearly. The 2 spp. of Rhodophyta did not significantly differ from each other whereas they each did from the brown alga. The results indicate that increased surface area, light and cooler temperatures (probable effects from OTEC [ocean thermal energy conversion]) will initiate accelerated growth rates; a significant increase of algal biomass near and attached to OTEC plants will be created by OTEC unless cleaning regimes or antifouling is initiated.

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