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Chemical Senses 21: 121-134,
© 1996

research-article

Numerical Simulation of Environmental Modulation of Chemical Signal Structure and Odor Dispersal in the Open Ocean

Ronald C. Baird, Hamid Johari1 and George Y. Jumper2

Departments of Biology and Biotechnology 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609 2Department of Aerospace Engineering Division, US Air Force Phillips Laboratory Hanscom AFB, MA 01731, USA

Correspondence to be sent to: R.C. Baird, Director, National Sea Grant College Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 11716, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA

Hydrodynamic models were used to simulate the dispersal of a model fish pheromone at three characteristic depth regimes (mixed layer, and 300 and 1000 m) of broad extent in the open ocean at the scale of individual organisms. The models were calibrated to experimental studies of dye dispersal at these depths and the goldfish pheromone system was used as the model odorant. There are profound differences in the time course and geometry of dispersing odor fields with depth. Below the thermocline odor fields spread primarily as horizontal patches with dispersal rates about five times slower at 1000 m as compared to 300 m. In the mixed layer, odors disperse rapidly in all directions and the maximum radial distance of spread of a physiologically active odor patch is less than half of the deep water value. Increases in the threshold sensitivity of olfactory receptors can greatly increase effective odor field size. Chemical signals impact the encounter dynamics among oceanic organisms by affecting the distance at which the target (emitting) individual is perceived. Perception distances due to olfactory cues can be significantly greater than for other senses in pelagic oceanic environments. Environment specific modulation of odor fields then affects the signal properties and therefore utility of chemoreception that, in turn, bear on encounter probabilities and transfer functions in oceanic ecosystems. Chem. Senses 21: 121–134, 1996.


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