Effects of solar UV radiation on diurnal photosynthetic performance and growth of Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta)

Previous studies on diurnal photosynthesis of macroalgal species have shown that at similar levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700nm) the photosynthetic rate is lower in the afternoon than in the morning. However, the impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400nm) have been little considered. We investigated the diurnal photosynthetic behaviour of the economically significant red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis in the absence or presence of UV-A+B or UV-B with a flow-through system. While UV-A and UV-B, respectively, inhibited noontime Pmax by 22% and 14% on the sunny days, UV-A during sunrise (PAR below about 50Wm-2) increased the net photosynthesis by about 8% when compared with PAR alone. UV-A + PAR also resulted in higher apparent photosynthetic efficiency in the morning than in the afternoon period than PAR alone. Nevertheless, integrated daytime photosynthetic production under solar PAR alone was higher than with either PAR + UV-A+B or PAR + UV-A. Relative growth rate in the long term (9 days) matched the integrated photosynthetic production in that UV-A led to 9-15% and UV-B to 19-22% reduction, respectively. UV-absorbing compounds were found to be higher in the thalli exposed to PAR+UV-A+B than under PAR alone, reflecting a protective response to UVR.

Comparative mechanisms of photosynthetic carbon acquisition in Hizikia fusiforme under submersed and emersed conditions

The economic seaweed Hizikia fusiforme (Harv.) Okamura (Sargassaceae, Phaeophyta) usually experiences periodical exposures to air at low tide. Photosynthetic carbon acquisition mechanisms were comparatively studied under submersed and emersed conditions in order to establish a general understanding of its photosynthetic characteristics associated with tidal cycles. When submersed in seawater, H fusiforme was capable of acquiring HCO3- as a source of inorganic carbon (Ci) to drive photosynthesis, while emersed and exposed to air, it used atmospheric CO2 for photosynthesis. The pH changes surrounding the H fusiforme fronds had less influence on the photosynthetic rates under emersed condition than under submersed condition. When the pH was as high as 10.0, emersed H fusiforme could photosynthesize efficiently, but the submersed alga exhibited very poor photosynthesis. Extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) played an important role in the photosynthetic acquisitions of exogenous Ci in water as well as in air. Both the concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon in general seawater and CO2 in air were demonstrated to limit the photosynthesis of H fusiforme, which was sensitive to O-2. It appeared that the exogenous carbon acquisition system, being dependent of external CA activity, operates in a way not enough to raise intracellular CO2 level to prevent photorespiration. The inability of H fusiforme to achieve its maximum photosynthetic rate at the current ambient Ci levels under both submersed and emersed conditions suggested that the yield of aquaculture for this economic species would respond profitably to future increases in CO2 concentration in the sea and air.

Characterization of diurnal photosynthetic rhythms in the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum grown in synchronous culture under ambient and elevated CO2

Photosynthetic performance was examined in Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve. under 12: 12-h light: dark (LD) cycle at ambient CO2 (350 muL L-1) and elevated CO2 (1000 muL L-1). At ambient CO2, the cellular chlorophyll a content, the light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P-m), the initial slope of the light saturation curves ( a), the photochemical efficiency of PSII (F-v/F-m), the apparent carboxylating efficiency (ACE) and the photosynthetic affinity for CO2 [1/K-m (CO2)] all showed rhythmical changes with different amplitudes during the light period. The P-m had similar changing pattern in the light period with the ACE and 1/K-m (CO2) rather than with the alpha and F-v/F-m, indicating that rhythmical changes of photosynthetic capacity may be mainly controlled by the activity of C- reduction associated with CO2 uptake during the light period. The CO2 enrichment reduced the ACE and the affinity to CO2, and increased the a, cellular chlorophyll a content and P m based on cell number. By contrast, the changing patterns of all photosynthetic parameters examined here during the light period had almost the same for cells grown at ambient CO2 and elevated CO2, suggesting that the photosynthetic rhythms of S. costatum are not affected by CO2 enrichment.

Photosynthetic bicarbonate utilization in Porphyra haitanensis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)

The activities of carbonic anhydrase (CA) and photosynthesis of Porphyra haitanensis were investigated in order to see its photosynthetic utilization of inorganic carbon source. Both intra- and extra-cellular CA activities existed in the thallus. CA inhibitors, acetazolamide (AZ) and ethoxyzolamide (EZ), remarkably depressed the photosynthetic oxygen evolution in seawater of pH 8.2 and 10.0, and EZ showed stronger inhibition than AZ. The observed net photosynthetic rate In seawater of pH 8.2 was much higher than that of CO2 supply theoretically derived from spontaneous dehydration of HCO3-. P. haitanensis also showed a rather high pH compensation point (9.9). The results demonstrated that P. haitanensis could utilize bicarbonate as the external inorganic carbon source for photosynthesis. The bicarbonate utilization was closely associated with HCO3- dehydration catalyzed by extracellular CA activity. The inorganic carbon composition in seawater could well saturate the photosynthesis of P. haitanensis. The low K-m value and compensation points for inorganic carbon reflected the existence of CO2-concentrating mechanism in this alga.

Photosynthetic performance of regenerated protoplasts from disintegrated cells of Bryopsis hypnoides (Chlorophyta)

The photosynthetic performances of regenerated protoplasts of Bryopsis hypnoides, which were incubated in seawater for 1, 6, 12, and 24 h, were studied using chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and oxygen measurements. Results showed that for the regenerated protoplasts, the pigment content, the ratios of photosynthetic rate to respiration rate, the maximal photosystem II (PSII) quantum yield (F-v/F-m), and the effective PSII quantum yield (I broken vertical bar(PSII)) decreased gradually along with the regeneration progress, indicated that during 24 h of regeneration there was a remarkable reduction in PSII activity of those newly formed protoplasts. We assumed that during the cultivation progress the regenerated protoplasts had different photosynthetic vigor, with only some of them able to germinate and develop into mature thalli. The above results only reflected the photosynthetic features of the regenerated protoplasts at each time point as a whole, rather than the actual photosynthetic activity of individual aggregations. Further investigation suggested a relationship between the size of regenerated protoplasts and their viability. The results showed that the middle-sized group (diameter 20-60 mu m) retained the largest number of protoplasts for 24 h of growth. The changes in F-v/F-m and I broken vertical bar(PSII) of the four groups of differently sized protoplasts (i.e. < 20, 20-60, 60-100, and > 100 mu m) revealed that the protoplasts 20-60 mu m in diameter had the highest potential activity of the photosynthetic light energy absorption and conversion for several hours.

CO2浓度升高对羊草草原生产力和碳平衡的影响

自工业革命以来，大气的C02浓度以前所未有的速度增加，已经由280μmol mol-1升高到了360μmol mol-l。据预测，到下个世纪中／末期，C02浓度将为目前的二倍。C02浓度升高及其引起的全球气候变化必将影响到植物的生长发育，进而对整个生态系统产生巨大影响。因此，有关C02浓度升高对各类生态系统的影响的研究引起了广泛关注，成为近年来的研究热点。早期的研究多数集中于考察C02浓度升高对植物个体水平生长发育的影响。然而，高C02对植物的效应严重依赖于具体物种和具体环境条件，使得基于由短期盆栽实验获得的研究结果不能够有效地预测自然生态系统的行为。因此，长期、原位处理实验越来越受到重视。由于原位研究的难度较大，目前这方面的研究还不是很多。有限研究结果显示，由于生境条件和种间关系方面的巨大差异，自然生态系统对C02浓度升高的反应迥异。 草原生态系统由于C02浓度控制上比较容易实现，而且其物质循环相对较快，因而一直是C02富集实验研究最多的一类植被，生态系统水平的研究更是如此。然而涉及的区域和草原类型并不多，不足以进行可靠预测。目前，关于C02升高效应，研究比较系统的草原生态系统主要集中在：美国Kansas的高草草原、美国California的一年生草原、瑞士西北部的石灰质草原、美国Colorado的矮草草原和一些牧场。我国总土地面积的40%为草地，类型丰富，然而相关研究不多，尤其是对自然生态系统的原位研究几乎为空白。 为揭示C02浓度升高对羊草草原生产力和碳平衡的效应，我们在中国科学院内蒙古草原生态系统定位研究站的永久羊草样地开展了两年的C02倍增实验(2001，2002)。在羊草样地选择相对均匀地段设置12个开顶式气室（直径1.8m），每个气室内分成4个小样方(0.5m×0.5m)，其中6个气室在生长季给予加倍C02处理（约600μmol mol-l），另6个气室不补充C02（约300μmol moI-l）。地上部分用收割法取样，分种记录数量、高度和重量等指标，地下部分取样用环刀法。用Li-cor6400光合系统测定群落光合和呼吸速率。野外实验结束后，统一分析植物和土壤样品中的C、N等元素含量。另外，在内蒙古草原站院内设置了两组桶培实验，一组是取自羊草样地的带苗原状土，一组是取自羊草样地的混匀土，种上冰草(Agropyron cristatum)、紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)和无芒雀麦(Bromus inermis)的种子。2组桶培实验分别用两个水分梯度和两个C02梯度处理。水分处理分别为：浇水处理——每4天浇lOOOml水，相当于平均降雨量的160%;干旱处理——持续干旱，适时补水以保持植物不萎蔫，共浇水4000ml水。C02处理和取样方法与样地原位实验相同。主要研究结果和结论如下： 1)两年的C02加倍处理没有使羊草草原的生物量、植物种和功能型组成发生显著改变，桶培实验中，浇水处理显著促进了植物生长，原状土植物、种子苗实验的冰草和无芒雀麦对C02加倍处理同样不敏感，而种子苗实验的豆科植物紫花苜蓿在C02加倍处理下生物量显著提高。以上结果显示，由于水分和养分（特别是N）的限制，以及优势植物对C02的相对不敏感，C02浓度升高对羊草草原地上生物量和结构的效应相对不大。 2)羊草草原的根垂直分布在加倍C02条件下发生显著改变，但根生物量对C02加倍处 理相对不敏感。在4次取样中只有一次对C02加倍处理表现出显著变化，根长的变化与根生物量的变化不完全一致，根的比根长在加倍C02条件下增加。根垂直分布的变化趋势与降雨的时间分布相适应，干旱少雨时期C02使下层根量增加，多雨时期C02则使上层根量增加。以上结果显示，根的空间分布比根生物量对C02加倍处理更敏感。水分是根空间分布变化的驱动因子，加倍C02条件下，根空间分布的变化趋势倾向于优化对水分的充分利用。 3)加倍C02处理使羊草草原的群落光合速率显著提高，群落呼吸速率显著降低，因而使群落碳净输入量增加。土壤碳贮量占羊草草原碳总贮量的70%以上，碳总贮量及其组分（包括地上碳贮量、根碳贮量、土壤碳贮量）在两个C02浓度处理之问均没有显著差异。另外，加倍C02处理使羊草草原群落及其优势植物羊草的c：N比增加。以上结果显示，在加倍C02条件下羊草草原的碳净输入量增加，这意味着在未来高 C02条件F，羊草草原将作为碳汇对大气C02起反馈调节作用。其碳贮量对加倍C02 处理的不敏感与许多以前的研究结果相似，一般认为是由于土壤碳贮量本底太大， 掩盖了C02效应，这还有待于更长期原位实验的证实。羊草草原群落c：N比在高C02 浓度下的变化将影响凋落物降解、N素循环和动植物营养关系等，进而对生态系统 功能产生深远影响。

Light histories influence the impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation on photosynthesis and growth in a marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum

Phytoplanktonic species acclimated to high light are known to show less photoinhibition. However, little has been documented on how cells grown under indoor conditions for decades without exposure to UV radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) would respond differently to solar UVR compared to those in situ grown under natural solar radiation. Here, we have shown the comparative photosynthetic and growth responses to solar UVR in an indoor-(IS) and a naturally grown (WS) Skeletonema costatum type. In short-term experiment (<1 day), phi(PSII) and photosynthetic carbon fixation rate were more inhibited by UVR in the IS than in the WS cells. The rate of UVR-induced damages of PSII was faster and their repair was significantly slower in IS than in WS. Even under changing solar radiation simulated for vertical mixing, solar UVR-induced higher inhibition of photosynthetic rate in IS than in WS cells. During long-term (10 days) exposures to solar radiation, the specific growth rate was much lower in IS than WS at the beginning, then increased 3 days later to reach an equivalent level as that of WS. UVR-induced inhibition of photosynthetic carbon fixation in the IS was identical with that of WS at the end of the long-term exposure. The photosynthetic acclimation was not accompanied with increased contents of UV-absorbing compounds, indicating that repair processes for UVR-induced damages must have been accelerated or upgraded. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Allelopathic effects on Scenedesmus obliquus by two submerged macrophytes Najas minor and Potamogeton malaianus

The allelopathic effects of two submerged macrophytes, Najas minor and Potamogeton malaianus, on growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant systems of Scenedesmus obliquus were assessed in coexistence experiments. The growth of S. obliquus was significantly suppressed by the two macrophytes. Moreover, P. malaianus showed the stronger growth inhibition effect on S. obliquus than N. minor. P. malaianus obviously inhibited the photosynthetic rate of S. obliquus, while N. minor had no inhibitory effect. Lipid peroxidation and three antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD)) of S. obliquus were investigated at the end of the co-cultures. The two macrophytes significantly enhanced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a product of lipid peroxidation, in S. obliquus. Activities of the three antioxidant enzymes of S. obliquus were simultaneously stimulated in P. malaianus treatment, while no significant variation of POD activity was observed in N. minor treatment. The results indicated that the two macrophytes N. minor and P. malaianus had significant allelopathic effects on S. obliquus. However, the two macrophytes influenced S. obliquus in different ways.

The response of antioxidant systems in Nostoc sphaeroides against UV-B radiation and the protective effects of exogenous antioxidants

UV radiation is one of many harmful factors found in space that are detrimental to organisms on earth in space exploration. In the present work, we examined the role of antioxidant system in Nostoc sphaeroides Kutz (Cyanobacterium) and the effects of exogenously applied antioxidant molecules on its photosynthetic rate under UV-B radiation. It was found that UV-B radiation promoted the activity of antioxidant system to protect photosystem 11 (PSII) and exogenously applied antioxidant: sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) had an obvious protection on PSII activity under UV-B radiation. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) and content of NIDA (malondialdehyde) and ASC (ascorbate) were improved by 0.5 mM and 1 mM SNP, but 0.1 mM SNP decreased the activity of antioxidant system. Addition of exogenous NAC decreased the activity of SOD, POD, CAT and the content MDA and ASC. In contrast, exogenously applied NAC increased GSH content. The results suggest that exogenous SNP and NAC may protect algae by different mechanisms: SNP may play double roles as both sources of reactive free radicals as well as ROS scavengers in mediating the protective role of PSII on algae under UV-B radiation. On the other hand, NAC functions as an antioxidant or precursor of glutathione, which could protect PSII directly from UV-B radiation. (c) 2007 COSPAR, Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physiological comparison between colonial and unicellular forms of Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. (Cyanobacteria)

In order to gain insight into the bloom sustainment of colonial Microcystis aeruginosa Katz., physiological characterizations were undertaken in this study. Compared with unicellular Microcystis, colonial Microcystis phenotypes exhibited a higher maximum photosynthetic rate (Pm), a higher maximum electron transfer rate (ETRmax), higher phycocyanin content, and a higher affinity for inorganic carbon (K-0.5 DIC <= 8.4 +/- 0.7 mu M) during the growth period monitored in this study. This suggests that photosynthetic efficiency is a dominant physiological adaptation found in colonial Microcystis, thus promoting bloom sustainment. In addition, the high content of soluble and total carbohydrates in colonial Microcystis suggests that this phenotype may possess a higher ability to tolerate enhanced stress conditions when compared to unicellular (noncolonial) phenotypes. Therefore, high photosynthetic activities and high tolerance abilities may explain the bloom sustainment of colonial Microcystis in eutrophic lakes.

Positive effects of continuous low nitrate levels on growth and photosynthesis of Alexandrium tamarense (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae)

The growth and photosynthesis of Alexandrium tamarense (Lebour) Balech in different nutrient conditions were investigated. Low nitrate level (0.0882 mmol/L) resulted in the highest average growth rate from day 0 to day 10 (4.58 x 10(2) cells mL(-1) d(-1)), but the lowest cell yield (5420 cells mL(-1)) in three nitrate level cultures. High nitrate-grown cells showed lower levels of chlorophyll a-specific and cell-specific light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P-m(chl a) and P-m(cell)), dark respiration rate (R-d(chl a) and R-d(cell)) and chlorophyll a-specific apparent photosynthetic efficiency (alpha(chl a)) than was seen for low nitrate-grown cells; whereas the cells became light saturated at higher irradiance at low nitrate condition. When cultures at low nitrate were supplemented with nitrate at 0.7938 mmol/L in late exponential growth phase, or with nitrate at 0.7938 mmol/L and phosphate at 0.072 mmol/L in stationary growth phase, the cell yield was drastically enhanced, a 7-9 times increase compared with non-supplemented control culture, achieving 43 540 cells mL(-1) and 52 300 cells mL(-1), respectively; however, supplementation with nitrate in the stationary growth phase or with nitrate and phosphate in the late exponential growth phase increased the cell yield by no more than 2 times. The results suggested that continuous low level of nitrate with sufficient supply of phosphate may facilitate the growth of A. tamarense.

干旱对不同抗旱性冬小麦旗叶光合及主茎干物质转运的影响

以冬小麦品种长武134(抗旱性强)和陕253(抗旱性弱)为材料,研究干旱对旗叶净光合速率和叶绿素含量、主茎及其组成节间花前积累干物质的转运及其对穗粒重贡献的影响。结果表明,干旱条件下长武134主茎穗粒重降幅小于陕253;干旱缩短了小麦花后旗叶光合速率高值持续期(PAD)和叶绿素含量缓降期(RSP),长武134受影响程度较小。长武134除穗下节外,其余各节间及茎杆干物质转运量及对籽粒贡献率降幅均大于陕253;干旱提高了陕253穗下节和倒二节干物质转运率,降低了倒三节和下部节干物质转运率,茎杆干物质转运率无明显变化;长武134除穗下节外其余各节间及茎杆干物质转运率均明显低于对照,而且距离穗部越远的节位降低幅度越大。上述结果表明,干旱条件下不同节位干物质转运能力变化与距离穗远近有关,花前茎杆干物质转运并不能补偿籽粒产量的损失,花后旗叶光合功能期延长是小麦抗旱高产的主要原因。

大气NH_3升高对不同供氮水平下小麦叶片光合生理特征的影响

以小麦品种‘小偃6号’(氮高效品种)和‘长旱58’(氮低效品种)为材料,采用开顶式气室和土培实验研究了大气NH3浓度升高对生长于高、低两种供氮介质下小麦植株不同生育期叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数(Fv/Fm、Fv/F0)和可溶性糖含量的影响。结果显示:两小麦品种高氨低氮处理植株的Pn、Fv/F0和可溶性糖含量均高于高氨高氮和低氨低氮处理,并在生育后期差异达显著水平(P<0.05),氮低效品种的Gs也符合上述规律且不同处理间差异显著(P<0.05);小麦各生育期高氨高氮处理下植株的Pn均显著低于低氨高氮处理,且两处理间灌浆期的叶绿素含量和灌浆期以前的可溶性糖含量的差异显著(P<0.05),而两处理灌浆期以前的叶绿素荧光参数Fv/Fm在各处理条件下均无显著差异;不同处理间及品种间各项光合特征指标差异缺乏规律性。可见,大气中NH3浓度升高有利于改善低供氮介质条件下小麦植株的氮营养状况,但不同氮效率品种间的响应存在差异。

干旱胁迫下本氏针茅光合特性和水分利用效率日动态研究

采用盆栽和人工控制土壤水分的方法,使用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统观测本氏针茅(Stipa bungeana)光合生理生态特征的日变化。结果表明:在不同土壤水分状况下,本氏针茅净光合速率日变化曲线均呈"双峰"型,并有不同程度的"午休"现象,且上午的净光合速率明显高于下午,随着土壤水分的升高而增加;蒸腾速率日变化曲线也呈"双峰"型,表现为较高土壤水分处理针茅具有较高的蒸腾速率;气孔导度受水分和光热胁迫的影响,日变化曲线呈凹型;胞间CO2浓度受空气CO2浓度和气孔导度的双重影响,呈现早晚高,正午低的日变化进程;水分利用效率最高值出现在上午较早的时段,随着土壤水分的增加,水分利用效率却降低。