Final answer:
The Dark Bottle method helps measure net primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems by measuring the amount of carbon fixed per year minus the amount oxidized during cellular respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dark Bottle method helps in measuring net primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems. Net primary productivity is the rate at which photosynthetic primary producers incorporate energy from the sun. In environments where light is limited, such as the bottom of a lake or ocean, adaptations have evolved for survival without light. For example, aquatic plants have photosynthetic tissue near the surface of the water, while inorganic chemicals are used as an energy source in environments like hydrothermal vents. The Dark Bottle method is used to measure the amount of carbon fixed per year, minus the amount that is oxidized during cellular respiration, which represents the energy accumulation within an ecosystem.