The rate of exchange of nutrients between the microbial mats and the overlying water column in Lake Hoare

Benthic chambers were deployed at 10m depth in Lake Hoare to determine the rate of exchange of nutrients between the microbial mats and the overlying water column. These comprised 5 each of opaque and clear plastic hemispheres, with tubes and pressure relief valves to allow sampling of water within them. The chambers were deployed for 3 and 7 days, with water samples taken in each case at the beginning and the end of deployment. Samples were filtered and frozen for return and analysis in New Zealand.