Characterization of Fine-Scale Turbulence Generated in a Laboratory Orbital Shaker and Its Influence on Skeletonema costatum

Turbulence is one of the ubiquitous aspects aquatic systems and affects many physical biological processes. Based on direct velocity measurements a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, we characterized distribution turbulent kinetic dissipations rates (?) in an orbital shaker system within range rotation frequencies. CFD was able to estimate ? containers accurately, which confirmed by other two methods independent measurement. The results showed that linearly correlated with rotational Despite existence gradients fact mean circular horizontal flow formed tank, energy levels whole tank varied spatially order magnitude distributions at different frequencies were similar, suggesting could be seen as quasi-homogeneous. To investigate influence turbulence algae growth, culture experiments typical diatom—Skeletonema costatum carried out under conditions. Our suggested mixing promoted nutrient uptake growth Skeletonema costatum, attributed break diffusion-limited resource concentration boundary layer surrounding phytoplankton.