Forced Convection Modulates Gas Exchange in Cnidarians

Boundary layer thickness is a potentially important component of the diffusive pathway for gas exchange in aquatic organisms. The soft coral Alcyonium siderium (Octocorallia) and sea anemone Metridium senile (Actiniaria) exhibit significant increases in respiration with water flow over a range of Reynolds numbers encountered subtidally. A nondimensional mass transfer analysis of the effect of forced convection demonstrates the importance of the state of the organism's boundary layer in regulating metabolism in these invertebrates. Flow-modulated gas exchange may limit secondary productivity in subtidal environments.