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A physical model involving Nuclepore membranes to investigate the mechanism of humidity-induced convection in Phragmites australis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

J. Armstrong  and
W. Armstrong
J. Armstrong
Affiliation:
Dept. of Applied Biology, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
W. Armstrong
Affiliation:
Dept. of Applied Biology, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
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Synopsis

Nuclepore membranes of known pore size and porosity, attached to small glass chambers were used to investigate the mechanism of humidity-induced convection found in Phragmites and other species. The convective flow of gases and the development of static pressures were studied in relation to a variety of conditions imposed on opposite sides of the membrane. Data were obtained in relation to pore size (0.015 to 3 μm diameter) and porosity, temperature and humidity gradients, membrane area and resistance to venting.

A humidity gradient across the Nuclepore membranes was far more effective than a temperature gradient per se for inducing flow; also pores of the order 0.2 μm diameter were the most effective. With a steep enough humidity gradient, however, significant flows could also be induced across pores as large as 2 μm diameter. The results accord with previous experiments and observations on Phragmites and with the mathematical treatment of the mechanism. It is concluded that humidity-induced convection should play a greater role than thermal transpiration (thermo-osmosis) in effecting convections in Phragmites and other non-floating-leaved species.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 102: Oxygen and Environmental Stress in Plants , 1994 , pp. 529 - 539
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1994

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References

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