砷胁迫对不同烟草品种光合色素和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

为了研究不同浓度砷(As)对烟草光合色素和叶绿素荧光特性的影响,首先将3个烟草品种翠碧1号、K326和云烟-87幼苗种植在从0到100 mg·kg-1亚砷酸钠(Na As O2)的6个浓度组中进行盆栽试验,并定期进行烟草受害症状的观测,测定叶片的光合色素含量、叶绿素荧光参数。结果表明:烟草在As胁迫下的反应因As胁迫浓度、胁迫时间和烟草品种而异。烟草光合色素含量、叶绿素荧光参数均表现为低浓度下有促进效应和高浓度下有抑制效应,同时3种烟草在40 mg·kg-1As浓度处理下出现生长受阻,且浓度越高胁迫症状越明显。K326和云烟-87表观症状较明显,对As毒害的敏感性高于翠碧1号。随着As胁迫时间的延长,烟草的耐性增强,对As胁迫的敏感性减弱。     

草甘膦与镉复合胁迫对玉米幼苗抗氧化酶活性及光合作用的影响

为了探讨草甘膦(PMG)与重金属镉(Cd)复合胁迫对作物(玉米幼苗)生长的影响作用机制。通过温室盆栽试验,分别进行了不同浓度的PMG单一处理(浓度分别设计为0、1.25、2.5、5、10、20 mg·kg~(-1))和不同浓度的PMG(浓度分别为0、1.25、2.5、5、10、20 mg·kg~(-1))与浓度5 mg·kg~(-1)Cd2+的复合处理。采用分光光度法和连续激发式荧光仪分别对玉米幼苗抗氧化酶(过氧化物酶POD、过氧化氢酶CAT、超氧化物歧化酶SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、叶绿素含量、荧光动力学曲线及相关参数进行了测定。结果表明,单一和复合胁迫分别在PMG浓度为1.25~5 mg·kg~(-1)、1.25~2.5 mg·kg~(-1)时,玉米幼苗通过增大抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性,清除积累过多的活性氧自由基,提高叶绿素含量的合成,加大光合作用速率,促进玉米幼苗的生长;单一和复合胁迫分别在PMG浓度为5~20 mg·kg~(-1)、2.5~20 mg·kg~(-1)时,由于玉米幼苗积累了过多的膜脂过氧化物,导致抗氧化系统损坏,阻碍叶绿素含量的合成,同时也损害了PSII的功能(MO、φPO、ΨO、φEO、φDO、ABS/RC、TRO/RC、ETO/RC、DIO/RC、PIABS),导致玉米幼苗光合作用受到抑制,阻碍幼苗的生长。研究表明,草甘膦单一胁迫和与重金属镉复合胁迫,对玉米幼苗酶活性及光合作用的影响,均随处理浓度的升高表现为双阶段性,低浓度促进,高浓度抑制;与同浓度的PMG单一处理相比,Cd2+的存在,加大了PMG单独存在时的损害作用,使得玉米幼苗对PMG胁迫的敏感浓度点从5 mg·kg~(-1)降低到2.5 mg·kg~(-1)。     

4-壬基酚对拟柱胞藻生长、抗氧化酶和光合作用的影响及机理

为探究4-壬基酚对入侵水华蓝藻拟柱胞藻的影响,对不同浓度(0.00、0.05、0.10、0.50、1.00、2.00 mg·L~(-1)) 4-壬基酚处理96 h后的拟柱胞藻叶绿素a、抗氧化酶和光合作用进行测定。结果表明,4-壬基酚对拟柱胞藻96 h半数效应浓度(96 h-EC_(50))为0.457 mg·L~(-1)。高浓度处理(0.50 mg·L~(-1))时,拟柱胞藻叶绿素a含量、最大光合效率(F_v/F_m)、光合效率(α)、最大相对电子传递速率(rE TRmax)、半饱和光强(Ik)、RC/Cs0、ET0/RC、ΦP0、ΦE0、ψ0和Sm/t(F_m)均显著下降被显著抑制,而光合系统Ⅱ中ABS/RC、DI0/RC和TR0/RC均显著增加,同时超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性随着浓度增加明显上升。而低浓度处理下(0.10 mg·L~(-1)),拟柱胞藻的叶绿素a含量、光合效率、最大相对电子传递速率和半饱和光强增加。这些结果表明高浓度4-壬基酚处理下,拟柱胞藻的叶绿素合成受阻,光合色素减少,光合反应中心结构受损,Q-A大量累积,光合效率下降,抑制藻细胞的光合作用,导致了拟柱胞藻生长受到阻碍,而低浓度壬基酚处理下,则可能表现出低剂量毒物兴奋效应。     

水稻叶绿素荧光特性对CO_2浓度升高的代际响应研究

为研究不同CO_2浓度升高水平对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的代际影响,基于CO_2浓度自动调控系统开展田间试验,以上一生长季经CO_2浓度升高处理(CO_2浓度比自然环境高40μmol·mol~(-1))的粳稻(Oryza sativa L.)种子(SI)和没有经过CO_2浓度升高处理的粳稻种子(SII)为试验材料,设置3种CO_2浓度水平:以背景大气CO_2浓度为对照(CK)、CO_2浓度比CK分别增加80μmol·mol~(-1)(T_1)和200μmol·mol~(-1)(T_2),测定叶片叶绿素荧光参数。结果表明,与CK相比,T_1处理使SI和SII蜡熟期的基础荧光(F_o)分别下降了8.6%(P=0.004)和8.0%(P=0.033),T_2处理使SI和SII扬花期的F_o分别下降了12.5%(P=0.033)和18.0%(P=0.015)。T_1处理使SI和SII蜡熟期的最大荧光(F_m)分别上升了10.1%(P=0.001)和11.0%(P=0.001),T_2处理使F_m分别上升了12.0%(P=0.000)和10.6%(P=0.001)。T_1处理使SI和SII蜡熟期的可变荧光(F_v)分别上升了16.2%(P=0.001)和17.7%(P=0.001),T_2处理使F_v分别上升了18.2%(P=0.000)和17.6%(P=0.000)。T_1处理使SI和SII蜡熟期的最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)分别上升了6.2%(P=0.001)和6.5%(P=0.005),T_2处理使F_v/F_m分别上升了6.2%(P=0.001)和6.8%(P=0.003)。与CK相比,T_1和T_2处理使SI和SII的单位反应中心吸收的光能(ABS/RC)、单位反应中心捕获用于还原QA的能量(TRo/RC)、单位反应中心以热能形式耗散的能量(DIo/RC)在乳熟期、蜡熟期和完熟期下降,单位面积光合反应中心的数量(RC/CSo)在蜡熟期上升。SI与SII相比,它们的F_o、F_m、F_v、F_v/F_m、ABS/RC、TRo/RC、DIo/RC、RC/CSo、ETo/RC没有显著差异。研究表明CO_2浓度升高有利于提高水稻叶片光合系统的光能转换能力,对光合功能有促进作用,而叶绿素荧光特性对CO_2浓度升高的响应没有代际差异。     

锌对汞胁迫下小麦幼苗生理特性的影响

通过沙基培养方法研究不同浓度锌(Zn)对汞(Hg)胁迫下小麦幼苗叶绿素相对含量(SPAD)、丙二醛(MDA)与脯氨酸的积累及抗氧化酶活性等的影响.结果表明:单独Hg(10 mg L-1)胁迫下,小麦幼苗叶绿素含量降低,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性受到抑制,MDA与脯氨酸含量升高.加入10 mg L-1Zn后,叶绿素含量比Hg单独胁迫升高了5.6%,MDA含量降低了32.4%,表明该浓度Zn在一定程度上缓解了Hg对小麦幼苗的毒害;Zn浓度高于10 mg L-1的处理中,叶绿素含量逐渐降低,MDA则呈升高趋势,表明随Zn浓度升高,Zn对Hg毒害的缓解作用逐渐降低.低浓度Zn(10~20 mg L-1)提高了Hg胁迫下小麦幼苗SOD与CAT活性,其活性随Zn浓度升高逐渐增加,20mg L-1Zn处理下,两种酶活性比Hg单独胁迫分别升高了103.3%与71.0%,高浓度Zn(50~100 mg L-1)处理下,两种酶活性则呈下降趋势,表明Zn对Hg胁迫下两种酶活性的促进作用逐渐减弱.在试验设置的Zn浓度范围内,脯氨酸含量均低于Hg单独胁迫,并且低于对照,说明外加Zn抑制了脯氨酸的生成.综上所述,10~20 mg L-1的Zn可以在一定程度上缓解10 mg L-1Hg对小麦幼苗造成的毒害.     

Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)胁迫对马来眼子菜光合色素及光合荧光特性的影响

为全面了解沉水植物受重金属胁迫后光合色素及荧光特性的变化,以马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)为供试材料,采用不同浓度Cu~(2+)或Cd~(2+)处理,利用丙酮萃取和水下荧光仪原位测定法,研究重金属对植物光合色素含量、光合荧光参数及荧光成像的影响.结果显示,Cu~(2+)或Cd~(2+)处理下,叶绿素总量(Ct)、叶绿素a(Ca)、叶绿素b(Cb)、类胡萝卜素(Cc)均极显著下降(P 0.01),且Cu~(2+)对叶绿体的毒害作用比Cd~(2+)更大;最大光化学效率F_v/F_m、潜在光化学效率F_v/F_o、有效量子产量Y(Ⅱ)和光化学淬灭系数qP也呈极显著下降趋势(P 0.01),且Cu~(2+)胁迫的影响更显著. Cu~(2+)处理下,调节性能量耗散的量子产量Y(NPQ)和非光化学淬灭系数qN均先增加后降低.而Cd~(2+)处理下,Y(NPQ)和qN均呈极显著上升趋势(P 0.01);各处理组非调节性能量耗散的量子产量Y(NO)差异不显著. Cu~(2+)处理下相对电子传递速率ETR下降更多. 0.5 mg/L Cu~(2+)处理下,马来眼子菜光合色素含量、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o、Y(Ⅱ)和ETR均比对照组下降显著;0.5 mg/L和1.0 mg/L Cd~(2+)处理下,马来眼子菜具有正常的光合活性.荧光成像表明叶片受损始于叶边缘,叶脉抗重金属胁迫能力强于叶肉;相同浓度处理下,Cu~(2+)处理对叶片的损伤程度大于Cd~(2+)处理.上述结果表明马来眼子菜耐Cd~(2+)能力强于Cu~(2+),因此可将其用作低浓度Cd~(2+)污染水域的修复物种.(图5表3参38)     

土壤镉、铅及其复合污染胁迫对丁香蓼(Ludwigia prostrata)生长和光合荧光特性的影响

通过室内盆栽土培试验,研究铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)单因素及其复合污染对田间杂草丁香蓼(Ludwigia prostrata Roxb.)生长及光合荧光等生理特性的影响.结果表明:(1)随着Cd、Pb单因素及其复合污染浓度升高,丁香蓼的茎长、根长和鲜重等指标均显著下降(P0.05).(2)叶绿素a、b含量或叶绿素a/b值随胁迫浓度的增加而显著降低.(3)单因素Pb污染对丁香蓼的PSII反应中心(光系统II反应中心)的影响不显著;在单因素Cd的最高浓度T50(80 mg/kg)污染胁迫下,丁香蓼的PSII最大量子产率(QY_(max))、稳态下的有效量子产率(F_v/F_m_Lss)和稳态下的非光化学猝灭(NPQ_Lss)值仅为对照组(CK)的37%、51%、14%;且与对照组相比,Cd胁迫下丁香蓼的F_o、F_m、F_v、F_v/F_o的降幅也均显著高于单因素Pb胁迫下或Pb、Cd复合污染胁迫下的降幅;综合分析表明单因素Cd对PSII反应中心的影响最强,双因素Pb、Cd复合污染影响次之,单因素Pb胁迫下的影响最小.(4)丁香蓼各部位的重金属含量随胁迫浓度增加而上升,且在Pb、Cd复合污染胁迫下,Cd能促进丁香蓼对Pb的吸收.综上表明,丁香蓼对Pb、Cd及其复合污染物均具有较强的耐受性及富集能力,可尝试用于Pb、Cd重金属污染土壤的生态修复.     

干旱胁迫过程中外源钙对忍冬光合生理的影响

以不同浓度Ca2＋对干旱胁迫处理下的忍冬进行化学调控,研究外源Ca2＋对干旱胁迫处理下忍冬叶片中叶绿素含量、可溶性糖含量、游离脯氨酸含量、过氧化氢酶活性以及光合速率的影响,以探讨外源Ca2＋对缓解干旱胁迫下忍冬光合作用下降的作用机制。结果表明,干旱胁迫下,忍冬的正常生理代谢明显受到抑制,叶绿素质量分数、可溶性糖质量分数、游离脯氨酸质量分数、过氧化氢酶活性以及光合速率分别降低到0.4 mg·g-1、0.06~0.1 mg·g-1、0.8 mg·g-1、0.25 u.mg-1和12~14μmol·m-2.s-1;当施入钙离子后,干旱胁迫对忍冬的伤害得到不同程度的缓解,并在最大程度上稳定叶绿素含量和CAT活性;并能使脯氨酸和可溶性糖的积累显著减少。说明外源Ca2＋能够在一定程度上弥补干旱胁迫导致的Ca2＋亏缺,使植物维持较正常的生理活动,稳定细胞膜结构,维持体内离子吸收平衡,维持较高的光合速率并保护光合结构。     

三氯生对羊角月牙藻生长及其抗氧化系统的影响

以羊角月牙藻(Selenastrum capricornutum)为实验材料,研究了三氯生(triclosan,TCS)对羊角月牙藻生长、光合作用叶绿素荧光动力学参数及抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,TCS对羊角月牙藻的96h-EC50为0.112mg·L-1,属于高毒。TCS暴露对羊角月牙藻的叶绿素荧光中ABS/RC、PIabs、RC/CSo和OEC比例等参数有显著影响。随着三氯生浓度的增大,羊角月牙藻的叶绿素荧光中ABS/RC大幅上升,PIabs、RC/CSo和OEC比例下降;当三氯生浓度为0.256mg·L-1时,ABS/RC达到最大值,PIabs、RC/CSo和OEC比例下降为最小值,表明藻细胞光合作用的原初反应及电子链传递过程受到严重阻碍。同时,三氯生对羊角月牙藻体内抗氧化酶系中GST活性和MDA含量也有较大影响。在低浓度暴露下,GST活性随TCS浓度增加而增大,但当TCS浓度超过0.256mg·L-1时,GST活性出现显著下降,同时MDA含量达到最大,这种GST活性的下降同时伴随MDA含量的增加表明藻细胞膜系统受到较大损害。     

四环素对微囊藻生长及光合作用的毒性效应机制

光合作用是蓝藻生长繁殖的生理基础,研究四环素胁迫下蓝藻的生长和光合作用的变化和响应,有助于揭示其作用机制。为探究四环素对微囊藻的毒性效应,对培养在0、0.1、0.2、0.5、1.0、2.0和5.0 mg·L~(-1)共7个浓度下的微囊藻的细胞数、叶绿素a含量、微囊藻光合系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)快速光响应曲线(RLCs)及快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线(OJIP)进行了测定。结果表明,四环素处理7 d后,微囊藻的半致死浓度(LC_(50))为(0.571±0.036) mg·L~(-1)。随着四环素浓度的增加,微囊藻生长受到抑制,叶绿素含量减少,PSⅡ中单位反应中心失活。当四环素浓度高于0.5 mg·L~(-1)时,微囊藻Q_A~-到Q_B的电子传递被抑制,造成Q_A~-大量积累,影响PSⅡ的电子受体侧。然而,在低浓度四环素处理中,以吸收光能为基础的性能指数(PI_(ABS))、用于电子传递的量子产额(φ_(Eo))和最大光化学效率(φ_(Po))显著升高,用于热耗散的量子比率(φ_(Do))显著降低。这些结果表明,低浓度四环素处理时,微囊藻能通过自身调节改变PSⅡ中能量配置,改变电子传递速率,提高光合效率,从而应对低浓度四环素胁迫,而当四环素浓度较高时,微囊藻的光合作用显著降低,生长受到抑制。     

Effects of light exposure on the retention of kleptoplastic photosynthetic activity in the sacoglossan mollusc <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elysia viridis</Emphasis>

The effects of light exposure on the photosynthetic activity of kleptoplasts were studied in the sacoglossan mollusc Elysia viridis. The photosynthetic activity of ingested chloroplasts was assessed in vivo by non-destructively measuring photophysiological parameters using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry. Animals kept under starvation were exposed to two contrasting light conditions, 30 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ (low light, LL), and 140 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ (high light, HL), and changes in photosynthetic activity were monitored by measuring the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), F _v/F _m, the minimum fluorescence, F _o, related to chlorophyll a content, and by measuring rapid light-response curves (RLC) of relative electron transport rate (rETR). RLCs were characterised by the initial slope of the curve, α_RLC, related to efficiency of light capture, and the maximum rETR level, rETR_m,RLC, determined by the carbon-fixation metabolism. Starvation induced the decrease of all photophysiological parameters. However, the retention of photosynthetic activity (number of days for F _v/F _m > 0), as well as the rate and the patterns of its decrease over time, varied markedly with light exposure. Under HL conditions, a rapid, exponential decrease was observed for F _v/F _m, α_RLC and rETR_m,RLC, F _o not showing any consistent trend of variation, and retention times ranged between 6 and 15 days. These results suggested that the retention of chloroplast functionality is limited by photoinactivation of PSII reaction center protein D1. In contrast, under LL conditions, a slower decrease in all parameters was found, with retention times varying from 15 to 57 days. F _v/F _m, α_RLC and rETR_m,RLC exhibited a bi-phasic pattern composed by a long phase of slow decrease in values followed by a rapid decline, whilst F _o decayed exponentially. These results were interpreted as resulting from lower rates of D1 photoinactivation under low light and from the gradual decrease in carbon provided by photosynthesis due to reduction of functional photosynthetic units.     

Photoinhibition and recovery of the kelp Laminaria saccharina at optimal and superoptimal temperatures

Effects of high irradiance on photosynthetic characteristics were examined in sporophytes of the kelp Laminaria saccharina Lamour. from 1992 to 1994. Exposure to high irradiance (700 mol photons m^-2s^-1) for 1 h at optimal temperature (12°C) caused a 40 to 60% decline in photosynthetic efficiency (alpha), quantum yield, and the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m), an indicator of Photosystem II efficiency. Although the photoinhibition effects were partly attributable to protective mechanisms, a concurrent increase in minimal fluorescence (F_o) indicated damage to Photosystem II reaction centers. The magnitude of photoinhibition was proportional to irradiance and duration; however, F_v/F_m was significantly reduced after exposure to irradiances as low as 40 to 50 mol photons m^-2s^-1 for 1 h, or to 700 mol photons m^-2s^-1 for only 5 min. In contrast, photosynthetic capacity (P_max) was affected only at much higher irradiance. Superoptimal temperatures up to 24°C did not exacerbate high-light effects. At 25°C, however, alpha and P_max were more susceptible to photoinhibition than at lower temperatures. Recovery from photoinhibition was examined by following F_v/F_m and F_o for 24 h after exposure to high light. Recovery of F_v/F_m was fastest during the first 1 to 3 h, and slowed or ceased after 6 to 12 h, while recovery of F_o was relatively constant over 12 h. Dithiothreitol, which blocks formation of energy-dissipating xanthophylls, reduced both the initial rate and extent of recovery. Chloramphenicol, which blocks chloroplast-encoded protein synthesis, had little effect on initial rates of recovery, but stopped recovery after 3 h. Thus, L. saccharina appears to rely on the xanthophyll cycle to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, and reversal of this protective mechanism causes the rapid initial recovery in F_v/F_m. Longterm recovery depends on repair of damaged reaction centers. Both the rate and extent of recovery were temperature-dependent. The initial rate was higher at 18 to 22°C than at 12°C, but the extent of recovery over 24 h declined with increasing temperature. High temperatures, therefore, appear to enhance protective mechanisms, but disrupt repair processes. L. saccharina from Long Island Sound, an ecotype adapted to low light and high temperature, showed slightly but consistently greater effects of photoinhibition than plants from the Atlantic coast of Maine, but exhibited faster recovery at superoptimal temperatures.     

Age-specific responses to elevated salinity in the coastal marsh plant black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus Scheele) as determined through polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence transients (OJIP)

This study employed polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence transients (OJIP), a non-invasive marker of environmental stress in plants, to evaluate salt tolerance in three different Juncus roemerianus age classifications (6-, 24-, and 60-months). Following exposure to elevated salts (30 psu), the younger plants sustained growth, which was comparable to freshwater controls. While older (60-month) plants receiving only freshwater also grew over the 8-week study, the older salt-treated plants did not increase in size. Similarly, there were significant declines in variable chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (F _v/F _m and F _v/F _o), electron transport flux per reaction center (ET_o/RC), and photosystem II performance index (PI_ABS) for 60-month J. roemerianus following salt treatment. These responses were not evident in the two younger salt-treated age classifications. Our results suggest that older J. roemerianus are less tolerant to rapid and sudden increases in salinity relative to younger plants and that this age-specific response may help explain observed discrepancies in salt tolerance in J. roemerianus.     

Diurnal variation in chlorophyll fluorescence of Thalassia testudinum seedlings in response to controlled salinity and light conditions

Diurnal variability in chlorophyll fluorescence caused by dynamic irradiance conditions is an important issue when using pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry to measure physiological conditions of plants at the landscape scale. We examined the use of slopes and y-intercepts of diurnal effective photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (ΔF/F _m′) versus photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) regressions in addition to direct measurements of maximum photochemical efficiencies of PSII (F _v/F _m) values to assess physiological status of Thalassia testudinum seedlings in a controlled mesocosm study. Seedlings were exposed to two light treatments (full sun and 50–70 % light reduction) and three salinity treatments (20, 35, and 50). Measurements were taken at 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, and 2100 hours in order to assess the diurnal variation in photochemical efficiency of PSII and PAR, with measurements at 2100 providing F _v/F _m. Results indicated significant effects of light and salinity on regression y-intercepts and measured F _v/F _m values. Shaded seedlings had higher values for both parameters, suggesting low-light acclimation. The highest salinity treatment resulted in significant reductions for both parameters, suggesting stress. Stress was also indicated by significant reductions in both seedling leaf growth and mean differences between seedling leaves and media osmolalities in the hypersaline treatments (152.0 ± 26.4 vs. 630 ± 40.2 mmol kg^?1 for the control treatments). Slopes of ΔF/F _m′ versus PAR significantly differed with varying light treatments, with full sun seedlings exhibiting shallower slopes than shaded seedlings, indicating higher efficiency of dissipation of excess energy (photoprotection). These experimental results confirm field data suggesting that diurnal ΔF/F _m′ versus PAR regressions are responsive to changes in the physiological status of T. testudinum and that the y-intercepts of diurnal regressions may be used as a proxy for F _v/F _m.     

In situ seagrass photosynthesis measured using a submersible, pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer

Assessments of photosynthetic activity in marine plants can now be made in situ using a newly developed, submersible, pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer: Diving-PAM. PAM fluorometry provides a measure of chlorophyll a fluorescence using rapid-light curves in which the electron-transport rate can be determined for plants exposed to ambient light conditions. This technique was used to compare the photosynthetic responses of seagrasses near Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Several fluorescence parameters were measured as a function of time of day and water depth; electron-transport rate (ETR), quantum yield, photochemical quenching and non-photochemical quenching and Photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency (F _v :F _m ratio) were measured. Results indicate that recent light-history plays a crucial role in seagrass photosynthetic responses. Maximum ETR of Posidonia australis, Amphibolis antarctica and Halophila ovalis is influenced by the irradiance during the diurnal cycle, with low rates at dawn and dusk (<10 μmol electron m⁻² s⁻¹), highest rates in late morning (40 to 60 μmol electron m⁻² s⁻¹) and a mid-day depression. Maximum ETR and PSII photochemical efficiency varied widely between seagrass species and were not correlated. A comparison of photochemical to non-photochemical quenching indicated that seagrasses in shallow water receiving high light have a high capacity for non-photochemical quenching (e.g. light protection) compared to seagrasses in deep water. These results indicate that in situ measurements of photosynthesis will provide new insights into the mechanisms and adaptive responses of marine plants. Received: 26 May 1997 / Accepted: 27 May 1998     

Juvenile life stages of the brown alga Fucus serratus L. are more sensitive to combined stress from high copper concentration and temperature than adults

The combined effects of exposure to copper and temperature were investigated in adult specimens and germlings of the canopy-forming brown alga Fucus serratus. A matrix of four temperatures, 6, 12, 17 and 22 °C, and three concentrations of copper, 0, 100 and 1,000 nM total copper were used. Measured endpoints were growth rate, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and for germlings also survival. The growth rate of adult specimens of F. serratus changed with increasing temperature. Growth tended to be negatively affected by high concentrations of copper when exposed to heat (22 °C) though not significantly so. The photosynthetic performance (i.e., chlorophyll fluorescence parameters: F _v/F _m, maximum electron transport rate (ETR_max) and maximum non-photosynthetic quenching (NPQ_max) of adults was largely unaffected by both copper and temperature. Germling survival, growth rate and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were affected by the combination of copper concentration and temperature. Increasing temperature led to reduced survival, increased rhizoid growth and higher F _v/F _m and ETR_max, whereas high copper concentration had a negative effect on the latter three endpoints. The negative effect of high copper concentration was amplified by high temperature. We conclude that juveniles of F. serratus are more susceptible to environmental stressors than adult specimens and recommend therefore including early life stages when assessing the risk of exposure to toxic compounds. Considering the response of adult specimens only may lead to false conclusions regarding the ecological impact of environmental stress.     

Morpho-functional patterns of photosynthesis and UV sensitivity in the kelp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lessonia nigrescens</Emphasis> (Laminariales,Phaeophyta)

The photosynthetic responses of the south Pacific kelp Lessonia nigrescens of the coast of Valdivia, Chile (40°S), were investigated by exposing its different thallus parts, fronds, stipes and holdfasts, to UV radiation in the laboratory. Biologically effective doses (BED_{photoinhibition300}) between 400 and 800 kJ m⁻² were required for a 40% inhibition in photosynthesis under UVA+UVB radiation. At BED_{photoinhibition300} close to 250 kJ m⁻² (in treatments without UVB), the inhibition of photosynthesis did not exceed 20%. These UV doses were in the range of current daily doses measured in Valdivia on cloudless summer days. In general, exposure to UVB for periods longer than 12 h reduced photosynthesis, measured as maximal quantum yield (F _v/F _m) and electron transport. The fronds were the most UV-sensitive section of this alga, coinciding with the highest pigments contents and carbon fixation. Evidence of a photodamage was also seen. After a 48 h exposure to PAR+UVA+UVB, a decrease of F _v/F _m in the fronds was close to 41%, while in the stipes and holdfasts it was 12 and 18%, respectively. Although the thalli from the different size classes showed marked differences in their morphology and morphometry, no obvious differences in the UV tolerance of the fronds were detected. The results indicated that the UV-related responses are integrated in the suite of morpho-functional adaptations of the alga. Although the fronds are spatially more exposed to solar radiation than basal structures (stipes and holdfast), due their high turnover rate they may compensate better detrimental effects of UV. In contrast, stipes and the holdfast are key support structures characterized by low replacement rates and designed to confer hydrodynamic resistance to drag forces.     

Effect of sub-lethal damage to juvenile colonies of massive Porites spp. under contrasting regimes of temperature and water flow

In this study, juvenile colonies of massive Porites spp. (a combination of P. lutea and P. lobata) from the lagoon of Moorea (W 149°50′, S 17°30′) were damaged and exposed to contrasting conditions of temperature and flow to evaluate how damage and abiotic conditions interact to affect growth, physiological performance, and recovery. The experiment was conducted in April and May 2008 and consisted of two treatments in which corals were either undamaged (controls) or damaged through gouging of tissue and skeleton in a discrete spot mimicking the effects of corallivorous fishes that utilize an excavating feeding mode. The two groups of corals were incubated for 10 days in microcosms that crossed levels of temperature (26.7 and 29.6°C) and flow (6 and 21 cm s⁻¹), and the response assessed as overall colony growth (change in weight), dark-adapted quantum yield of PSII (F _v/F _m), and healing of the gouged areas. The influence of damage on growth was affected by temperature, but not by flow. When averaged across flow treatments, damage promoted growth by 25% at 26.7°C, but caused a 25% inhibition at 29.6°C. The damage also affected F _v/F _m in a pattern that differed between flow speeds, with a 10% reduction at 6 cm s⁻¹, but a 4% increase at 21 cm s⁻¹. Regardless of damage, F _v/F _m at 21 cm s⁻¹ was 11% lower at 26.7°C than at 29.6°C, but was unaffected by temperature at 6 cm s⁻¹. The lesions declined in area at similar rates (4–5% day⁻¹) under all conditions, although the tissue within them regained a normal appearance most rapidly at 26.7°C and 6 cm s⁻¹. These findings show that the response of poritid corals to sub-lethal damage is dependent partly on abiotic conditions, and they are consistent with the hypothesis that following damage, calcification and photosynthesis can compete for metabolites necessary for repair, with the outcome affected by flow-mediated mass transfer. These results may shed light upon the ways in which poritid corals respond to biting by certain corallivorous fishes.