Physiological responses of Ampithoe valida and its feeding potential on Ulva prolifera.

Large numbers of Amphipoda feed on floating green tide macroalgae in the Yellow Sea, among which Ampithoe valida has a high abundance in the stable and decline periods. Amphipoda preferentially feed on Ulva. Under different temperatures, salinities, and pH, the physiological responses of A. valida and its feeding potential on Ulva prolifera were investigated, along with its physiological responses during green tide blooms in the Southern Yellow Sea. Ampithoe valida could survive within a temperature range of 5-30 °C, salinity of 5-40, and pH of 4-10. Optimal environmental conditions for growth were temperature 15-25 °C, salinity 10-40, and pH 6-10. At temperatures of 5-30 °C, salinities of 5-35, and pH of 4-9, A. valida could effectively reduce U. prolifera biomass. The feeding ability of A. valida was greatest in 25-30 °C, 10-25 salinity, and neutral seawater, exceeding 5 mg·ind.-1·d-1. During green tide outbreaks in the Southern Yellow Sea from May to August, the monthly average sea surface temperature, salinity, and pH range is 17.5-27.3 °C, 23.8-29.6, and 7.87-8.17, respectively, within which A. valida showed well growth and could effectively reduce U. prolifera biomass. Finally, this study further discussed the possibility of A. valida as a biological method to control green tide.

Far-field interference from a sphere and its applications.

A theoretical model of far-field interference from a sphere has been established, and its applications have been investigated. When two coherent parallel laser beams shine on a smooth sphere surface from opposite directions, the reflected lights form interference fringes at far field. The fringes have hyperbolic shapes and are not uniformly distributed. This paper derives a method for calculating the path-length difference between two parallel reflected lights, analyzes the interference field, and discusses reasons that cause the fringe density variations. A formula for calculating the highest orders of interference fringes is also provided. A method for using a spectrometer, CCD camera, and computer to measure the sphere diameter is demonstrated. The results agree with those from an Abbe comparator. The theory and methods are also suitable for measuring diameters of smooth cylinders.