Application of an auto-nutrient analyzer at the field station to provide real time, in situ and continuous data for studying nutrient dynamics and their interaction with marine microalgal dynamics in coastal waters is novel. Even though there are limitations to its application, this pilot test which attempted to integrate an auto-nutrient analyzer into a telemetric system, showed that it is feasible to obtain real-time in situ nutrient data as well as background information for nutrient dynamics in this way. It also showed that it is possible to minimize the uncertainty introduced because of the drawbacks in the conventional approach, in which discrete and periodic samples require time to be sent back to the laboratory for analysis and so time lags can cause unknown variation in the samples, as well as a decrease in accuracy. Furthermore, the auto-nutrient analyzer can provide hourly sampling and so give fine resolution in tracing the nutrient dynamics, and this, if coupled with a sub-system for automatic phytoplankton sampling, can synchronously provide the insight necessary for a true understanding of the interaction and mechanisms amongst all the factors involved in marine microalgal dynamics.

　

　

Sincere thanks are given to the Director and staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for nutrient analysis. Thanks also extended to Mr. Aiolos M.L. Choy for his computer technical support and Mr. Ken Wong for assistance in the field work.

　

Anderson, D., P. Anderson. M. Bricelj, J. Cullen, I.J. Hodgkiss, K.C. Ho, J.H.W. Lee and J.E. Rensel, 1998. Study of red tide monitoring and management in Hong Kong, Technical Report No.1 - Literature review and background information. Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Armstrong, F.A.J., C.R. Stearns and J.D.H. Strickland. 1967. The measurement of upwelling and subsequent biological process by means of the Technicon Autoanalyser and associated equipment. Deep-Sea Research 14:381-389.

Balech, E. 1995. The Genus Alexandrium Halim (Dinoflagellata). Sherkin Island Marine Station, Ireland.

Red Tide Organisms in Japan - an Illustrated Taxonomic Guide, edited by Y. Fukuyo, H. Takano, M. Chihara and K. Matsuoka. 1990. Tokyo: Uchida Rokakuho.

Hallegraeff, G.M. 1991. Aquaculturists Guide to Harmful Australian Microalgae. Australia: Fishing Industry Training Board of Tasmania and CSIRO Division of Fisheries.

Manual on Harmful Marine Microalgae, edited by G.M. Hallegraeff, D.M. Anderson and A.D. Cembella. 1995. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Manuals and Guides 33, UNESCO.

Hiiro, K J. Nagao, and T. Kimoto. 1989. Development of continuous monitoring systems for environmental parameters related to red tides. In Red Tides: Biology, Environmental Science and Toxicology, edited by T. Okaichi, D. M. Anderson and T. Nemoto, 165-168. New York, Amsterdam, London: Elsevier.

Ho, K.C. and I.J. Hodgkiss. 1993. Assessing the limiting factors of red tide by bottle bioassay. Asian Marine Biology 10:77-94.

Ho, K.C. and Hodgkiss, I.J. 1995. A study of red tides caused by Prorocentrum micans, P. sigmoides and P. triestinum in Hong Kong. In The Marine Biology of the South China Sea II - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference, Guangzhou, China, 1993, edited by B. Morton, G.Z. Xu, R.L. Zou, J.P. Pan and G.X. Cai, 111-118. Beijing, Shanghai. Xian and Guangzhou: World Publishing Corporation.

Hodgkiss, I.J. and K.C. Ho. 1992. Variations in macronutrients in relation to red tides - The Tolo Harbour experience. Colloquium on Red Tides in Hong Kong and South China Sea, Hong Kong, September 1992.

Hodgkiss, I.J. and K.C. Ho, 1997. Are changes in N:P ratios in coastal waters the key to increased red tide blooms? Hydrobiologia 352:141-147.

Jin, T.C., G.H. Chen and K.G. Huang. 1965. Marine Planktonic Diatoms in China. Shanghai Science and Technology Press. China. (in Chinese).

Lam. C.W.Y. and K.C. Ho. 1989. Phytoplankton characteristics of Tolo Harbour. Asian Marine Biology 6:5-18.

Lam, I.H.Y, and I.J. Hodgkiss. 2000. Application of a telemetry system to studying microalgal dynamics and red tides in Hong Kong. In Algae and their biotechnological potential, edited by F. Chen and Y. Jiang, 279-292. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands (2001).

Lam, I.H.Y. and I.J. Hodgkiss. 2001. A real time measurement system for red tides studies. Proceedings of The Oceans 2001 MST/IEEE Conference, 5-8 November, 2001, Honolulu, Hawaii. U.S.A., pp.1151-1157.

Lee, J.H.W., K.T.M. Wong, Y. Huang and A.W. Jayawardena. 2000. A real time early warning and modelling system for red tides in Hong Kong. In Stochastic Hydraulics 2000, edited by Z.Y. Wang and S.X. Hu, 659-669. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema.

　

Lu, S. 2001. Ecological studies of phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms in Junk Bay, Hong Kong. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Hong Kong.

Morton, B. and P.R. Twentyman. 1971. The occurrence and toxicity of a red tide caused by Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Ehrenb., in the coastal waters of Hong Kong. Environmental Research 4:544-557.

Murphy, J. and J.P. Riley. 1962 A modified single solution method for determination of phosphate in natural waters. Analytica Chimica Acta 27:31-36

Identifying Marine Phytoplankton, edited by C.R. Tomas. 1997. San Drego Academrc Press.

W.S. Ocean Systems Ltd. 2000. AutoLAB: automatic nutrient analysis system, operating manual. Issue A. Alton, Hants, UK and http://www.wsenvirotech.com/AutoLAB.htm, W.S. Ocean Systems Ltd.

Illustrations of the Marine Plankton of Japan, edited by I. Yamaji. 1984. Third edition. Osaka: Hoikusha Publications.

Yang, Z.B. 2000. Harmful algal blooms in selected Hong Kong coastal waters. Ph.D. Thesis. The University of Hong Kong.