THE PROBLEM 



Determine the magnitude of the contribution to sonic 

 scattering by siphonophores. Specifically, study and ana- 

 lyze the size of gas bubbles contained in siphonophores and 

 the amount of gas produced by them. Determine by experi- 

 mental methods rates of gas production under various con- 

 ditions and time required to fill siphonophore floats. 



RESULTS 



1. Gases contained within fresh siphonophore floats are 

 generally very close to ambient pressure, suggesting the 

 probable release of numerous bubbles during vertical ascent. 

 Volumes of contained gases in a series of fresh floats ranged 

 from 0. 5 mm 3 to 2. 5 mm 3 . 



2. Oxygen consumption may be elevated during carbon 

 monoxide production. 



3. Diffusion constants for siphonophore floats calculated 

 from rates of diffusive loss of CO are close to those which 

 have been determined for chitin. 



4. Calculated energy requirements for the physical 

 work of countering hydrostatic pressures of 30 to 40 atmos- 

 pheres indicate that float refilling times are probably no 

 more than a few hours at most. 



MBL/WHOI 



03D1 0DMDS13 



