On the assessment of adequacy of radiocarbon method for measuring primary production

Experimental testing of the adequacy of C14-method of measurement of primary phytoplankton production was conducted in the Indian ocean. The absence of the dependence of values of primary production measured upon the capacity of the bottles used had been demonstrated. An opinion on the inhibition of photosynthesis during the continuous exposure of bottles within half of the light daytime period (6 h) was not approved. The size losses of assimilated label led carbon during the procedure of filtration was estimated. These losses varied within 10 to 15% of total carbon assimilated by planktonik algae. The evaluations of possible underestimation of phytoplankton production within water column after discrete sampling on vertical profile were made with the use of integrating water bottle - a newly constructed apparatus, which continuously took sample proportionally to the length of the way passed by the device. The recommendations are given on the reliable use of C14-method to measure primary production in the sea