Biophysics:Apparent Oxygen Utilization
Published: March 29, 2010, 12:00 am
Updated: October 31, 2011, 9:02 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
C Michael HoganApparent Oxygen Utilization (AOU) is the difference between the observed oxygen content and the saturation oxygen content of a sample of sea water.
| This article is written at a definitional level only. Authors wishing to expand this entry are inivited to expand the present treatment, which additions will be peer reviewed prior to publication of any expansion. |
This is a method of estimating the amount of dissolved oxygen utilized by marine organisms via respiration, although it is termed ”apparent” for a reason. Surface waters may more than likely carry more than the saturation amount of oxygen due to the nonlinearity in the solubility of oxygen with temperature. The effects of this nonlinearity are small, though, and the AOU is usually quite close to TOU, the True Oxygen Utilization.
Further Reading:
- Physical Oceanography Index
- W. S. Broecker and T.-H. Peng. Tracers in the Sea. Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, N.Y., 1982.
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Citation
Steve Baum (Lead Author);C Michael Hogan (Topic Editor) "Apparent Oxygen Utilization". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 29, 2010; Last revised Date October 31, 2011; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Apparent_Oxygen_Utilization?topic=49585>
The Author
Assistant Research Scientist, Physical Section
Department of Oceanography
Texas A&M University ... (Full Bio)
Apparent Oxygen Utilization (AOU) is the difference between the observed oxygen content and the saturation oxygen content of a sample of sea water.
| This article is written at a definitional level only. Authors wishing to expand this entry are inivited to expand the present treatment, which additions will be peer reviewed prior to publication of any expansion. |
This is a method of estimating the amount of dissolved oxygen utilized by marine organisms via respiration, although it is termed ”apparent” for a reason. Surface waters may more than likely carry more than the saturation amount of oxygen due to the nonlinearity in the solubility of oxygen with temperature. The effects of this nonlinearity are small, though, and the AOU is usually quite close to TOU, the True Oxygen Utilization.
Further Reading:
- Physical Oceanography Index
- W. S. Broecker and T.-H. Peng. Tracers in the Sea. Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, N.Y., 1982.
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