Abstract:
Aquatic plant life including Aponogeton crispus depends on CO2 in the water in order to
survive. The availability of light, and of nutrients other than carbon, is probably a more
significant abiotic factor limiting net primary productivity of aquatic plants than is the
supply of inorganic carbon. However the mechanism by which inorganic carbon is
acquired by aquatic plants may affect the need for photons or other nutrients for
photosynthesis. This study was conducted to determine the CO2 concentration that is
optimal from the commercial aquarium plant, Aponogeton crispus. CO2 was added at
different concentrations (40, 20 and 5 bubbles/minute). Growth rate was determined from
height of entire plant.
