UV-radiation can affect depth-zonation of Antarctic macroalgae

Due to depletion of stratospheric ozone over polar regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres UV-B-radiation has increased at the surface of the earth. Measurements of variable chlorophyll fluorescence were conducted to document UV-induced photoinhibition of photosystem II in cultivated macroalgae with different depth distributions in Antarctica. The reactions during artificial UV-exposure were observed on a short time scale (hours) and in light–dark cycles over several days. The nine species of investigated macroalgae show great differences in UV-tolerance of the photosynthetic process. Photosynthesis of the studied green algae was inhibited to a minor degree, while the brown algae showed an intermediate inhibition of photosynthesis. The response of the studied red algae varied with species. The differences in the degree of inhibition and recovery of photosynthetic efficiency and capacity indicate that UV-radiation is one important factor affecting the vertical distribution of macroalgae in nature. Received: 11 December 1997 / Accepted: 27 March 1998     

Emerson enhancement effect and quantum yield of photosynthesis for marine macroalgae in simulated underwater light fields

The contribution of enhancement to the total photosynthesis of marine macroalgae in their natural habitats was estimated by comparing the photosynthesis measured by O₂-electrode in five broad-band light fields with that predicted (on the assumption that no enhancement was occurring) from the photosynthetic action spectrum of each plant and the spectral distribution of the light fields. The excess of measured values divided by calculated values provided a measure of enhancement. Although 37% enhancement was observed for red algae in unfiltered quartz-iodine light, and 18% for green and brown algae, substantially lower values were obtained for all species in more natural light fields. In those typical of shallow coastal waters, phycoerythrin-rich red algae exhibited 15 to 20% enhancement, but little enhancement (<5%) was detected in other algae. In a green light field, representing deep coastal water, there was no significant enhancement in any species, and only green and brown algae showed any enhancement (ca 8%) in broad-band blue light, similar to that in deep oceanic waters. Quantum yields of 0.09 to 0.10 O₂ molecules per absorbed photon were recorded in most light fields for green and brown algae with thin thalli, but yields decreased in the blue light field and in species with thicker thalli. All red algae had quantum yields of about 0.08 O₂ molecules per absorbed photon, except in the blue light field, in which quantum yields were reduced by 70%.     

Long-term effects of ultraviolet radiation on growth and photosynthetic performance of polar and cold-temperate macroalgae

Long-term effects of artificial ultraviolet radiation (UV) and natural solar radiation on growth and photosynthetic activity, as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence, were investigated in 13 different polar and cold-temperate macroalgal species. Isolates of five different species from the Arctic and Antarctic were exposed to different light treatments of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), PAR+UVA and PAR+UVA+UVB. Eight different species collected on the island of Helgoland, North Sea, Germany, were studied in the laboratory and under natural solar radiation conditions. Increase in fresh weight and changes in photosynthetic performance were monitored over a period of 3-4 weeks. The sublittoral polar species, particularly the Antarctic red algal species Gymnogongrus antarcticus and G. turquetii, the Arctic cold-temperate brown alga Alaria esculenta and, very drastically, the Arctic-endemic Laminaria solidungula, exhibited strong inhibiting effects of artificial UVB radiation on growth. In the cold-temperate sublittoral growth of the red algae Phycodrys rubens and, to a lesser extend, Membranoptera alata was substantially inhibited by UV radiation. In contrast, eulittoral species, e.g. Fucus serratus, did not show any differences in growth with respect to artificial irradiation conditions, with or without UV radiation. In the laboratory, some individuals of the green alga Codium fragile exhibited strong morphological changes of the whole thallus, particularly under UVB exposure. In the experimental outdoor set up, growth of most of the algal species was already inhibited by the full solar UV waveband, but, apart from Polyides rotundus, no additional UVB effect could be detected. Changes of in vivo fluorescence were not always consistent with the measurable changes in growth rate, indicating that physiological processes leading to an inhibition of growth may act independently of changes in photosynthetic activity. For the polar species, a general correlation between the natural vertical distribution in the field and the individual sensitivity towards UV radiation was indicated, while for eulittoral species from Helgoland no clear relationship was found. The obtained results show that measuring growth is a good ecological parameter to monitor long-term effects of UV radiation on single macroalgal species and the possible resulting changes of whole algal communities in coastal ecosystems.     

Determination of photosynthetic pigment composition in an individual phytoplankton cell in seas and lakes using fluorescence microscopy; properties of the fluorescence emitted from picophytoplankton cells

To develop a method for the determination of photosynthetic pigment species in individual phytoplankton cells, especially natural picophytoplankton cells, the fluorescence spectra of intact cells were studied with cultured phytoplankton. The study was made mainly with phycoerythrin-containing picophytoplankton collected off Japan in 1982 with reference to diatomal species and phycoerythrin-free cyanophycean species. The spectra were measured for cell suspensions with an ordinary spectrofluorometer, and for individual cells with a microscope spectrofluorometer, paying special attention to the effect of cell-fixation. Results indicated that: (1) the cell-fixation with the glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde mixture modified phycoerythrin emission from picophytoplankton markedly in its wavelength location and intensity, but (2) the emission from phycocyanin was affected far less, and (3) the emission from chlorophyll a was not altered. However, the phycoerythrin emission modified by the fixation was found to be easily distinguished from other emissions, and kept its intensity high enough for detection with a fluorescence microscope. The fluorescence properties after the fixation were kept unaltered for a long period of time. Based on the results, we propose a simple method for the determination of photosynthetic pigments in individual phytoplankton cells in seas and lakes using fluorescence microscopy. Results of our tests with natural samples of phytoplankton are presented, and problems for further improvement are also discussed.     

Changes in photosynthetic pigment concentration in seaweeds as a function of water depth

We conducted a study of the relationship between changes in photosynthetic pigment content and water depth in Great Harbor near Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA, on the green algae Ulva lactuca and Codium fragile and the red algae Porphyra umbilicalis and Chondrus crispus. A calibrated underwater photometer equipped with spectral band filters measured light attenuation by the water column. The depth required for a 10-fold diminution of photon flux was 3.6, 5.3, 6.0 and 6.0 m for red, blue, yellow and green light, respectively. Seaweeds were attached to vertically buoyed lines and left to adapt for 7 days; then, with their positions reversed, they were allowed to readapt for 7 days. All species showed greater photosynthetic pigment content with increased depth. Further, the ratio of phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a increased with depth. Changes in pigment content were reversible and occurred in the absence of cell division. There was a net loss of pigments near the surface (high irradiance), and subsequent synthesis when seaweeds were transferred to a position deep in the water column (low irradiance). In contrast, seaweeds which were found in intertidal habitats changed only their pigment concentration, and not pigment ratio, a phenomena analogous to higher plant sun and shade adaptation. Therefore, seaweeds modify their photon-gathering photosynthetic antennae to ambient light fields in the water column by both intensity adaptation and complementary chromatic adaptation.     

Changes in pH as a measure of photosynthesis by marine macroalgae

An automatically operated method for high precision measurements of steady-state photosynthesis by macroalgae was developed. Changes in pH and oxygen content of seawater passing the algae in a flowthrough system, could be measured with extremely high accuracy over very long periods of time. The method is especially suitable for measurements on flowthrough systems with high rates of water exchanges (i.e. short retention time), and can be used to study exchange processes for marine plants, animals and small ecosystems. Since the same measuring unit is used for several flowthrough chambers, the method is very suitable for comparisons between different species, or between differently pretreated specimens of the same species (e.g. in toxicological studies). The method was used to study the ratio: [oxygen production] to [CO₂+H⁺ uptake] at different light intensities for several macroalgae belonging to different systematic groups and from different habitats. At lower photosynthetic rates this ratio was similar for all of the algae studied (1.17±0.02). For brown algae of the fucacean family, the ratio increased by 0.08 units at higher photosynthetic rates. This increase was thought to be related to the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)-like strategies connected to these algae. For all other algae studied, the ratio remained constant or decreased slightly (at most by 0.04 units) at higher photosynthetic rates. The relations between the abovementioned ratio and the photosynthetic quotient are discussed on a theoretical basis.     

Photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence rhythms of marine phytoplankton

Circadian rhythms in photosynthesis were defined in field populations of phytoplankton. Measurements of carbon-dioxide fixation rates demonstrated that a diurnal periodicity of photosynthesis in samples incubated under natural light-dark (LD) cycles also were observed to continue in similar samples which had been photoadapted to constant dim light (LL) for 48 h. These changes in photosynthetic rates preceded sunset and sunrise, had daily amplitudes that ranged from 1.5 to 2.0, appeared to be independent of light-intensity, and displayed maxima about midday, while rates of dark fixation of carbon dioxide and the photosynthetic pigment content per cell were constant over the circadian cycle. Similar rhythmicity also was detected in room-temperature (22°C) chlorophyll a fluorescence yield, in both the obsence and presence of the photosynthesis inhibitor DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea]. However, the magnitude and timing of the fluorescence rhythm maxima seem to depend on wavelengths monitored and, in part, on the measuring technique used. Also, the circadian changes in the fluorescence intensity were abolished at low temperature (-60°C), and the shape of the emission spectra of chlorophyll fluorescence of cells in LD and LL did not change over time. The significance of the fluorescence rhythms with regard to chlorophyll a determinations and photosynthetic rates is discussed. It was concluded that there was sufficient similarity between circadian rhythms of photosynthesis in natural phytoplankton populations and in laboratory cultures of dinoflagellates to suggest that the mechanism of regulation may be the same for both of them.     

Light harvesting in the green alga Ostreobium sp., a coral symbiont adapted to extreme shade

Ostreobium sp. (Chlorophyta: Siphonales) can be found as green bands within the skeletal material of a number of stony corals in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions. Many of these corals also contain symbiotic dinoflagellates in the overlaying coral polyps that effectively screen out all the typical photosynthetically active radiation from the algae in the green bands below. Ostreobium sp., nevertheless, grows photosynthetically. Its action spectrum and absorption spectrum have been shown to extend much further into the near infra-red compared to other green algae. In the present study, carried out in 1987, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra were measured in Ostreobium sp. and compared to spectra obtained from the green alga Ulva sp. and the brown alga Endarachne sp. Xanthophylls, probably siphonein and an unidentified xanthophyll probably related to siphonaxanthin, are photosynthetically active in Ostreobium sp., and can sensitize Photosystem II fluorescence at 688 nm and Photosystem I (PS I) fluorescence at 718 nm. The fluorescence emission spectra of Ostreobium sp. measured at 25° C and 77 K were not remarkably different from those of the green alga Ulva sp. Absorbance changes induced by light were measured in Ostreobium sp. from 670 to 750 nm and were like those normally seen in green plants except that, in addition to the minimum expected for the reaction-center chlorophyll of PS I (P700) at 703 nm, another minimum was seen at 730 nm. It is possible that this spectrumreflects the functioning of a reaction center of Photosystem I that has adapted to function in light highly enriched in far-red wavelengths.CIW-DPB Publication No. 1021     

Light quality and concentration of proteins,RNA, DNA and photosynthetic pigments in two species of marine plankton algae

Chlorophyll, protein, DNA and RNA concentrations in cultures ofCyclotella nana (Hustedt) andDunaliella tertiolecta (Butcher) were higher in blue light and lower in green light than in white light of the same intensity. Total carotenoid concentrations were highest in green light. Total pigment concentrations were highest in cells grown in blue light, lowest in those from green light. The relative changes in pigment concentrations associated with differences in spectral composition of the radiation are comparable to those often observed in phytoplankton from various depths in stratified natural water. Light adaptation in algae as a response to light quality is suggested. The chemical composition of plankton algae can be expected to vary considerably with depth.     

光合细菌法在水处理中的应用

利用天然净水系统在能耗低的条件下使污水得到高度净化,并使污水转化为资源。研究将高效光合细菌用于污染水体,既能在污水排放前集中处理,起到前置库的作用,又能直接用于污染流域,逐步帮助恢复良好的水生态系统,使污水资源化。并根据对昆明市大观河和成都市府南河水样的处理效果,提出光合细菌治理府南河流域的新对策。     

Feeding behavior and acquisition of zooxanthellae by planula larvae of the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

Symbiotic associations between cnidarians and photosynthetic dinoflagellates (i.e., zooxanthellae) are common in the marine environment. Many symbiotic cnidarians produce offspring that are initially nonsymbiotic. These new hosts must acquire symbiotic algae from environmental sources. We examined zooxanthella acquisition by laboratory-reared planula larvae of the temperate sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. Larvae ingested zooxanthellae while they were feeding. However, the signal that prompted larval feeding behavior did not originate from the symbiotic algae; the addition of algal cells to larval cultures never elicited a feeding response. In contrast, the addition of macerated animal tissue from several sources invariably generated a strong feeding response, which resulted in the larvae indiscriminately ingesting any particulate matter that was present, including zooxanthellae or other unicellular algae. Ingested zooxanthellae were incorporated into endodermal cells, where they remained undigested, while all other ingested material was digested or expelled within 24 h. Our results provide evidence that one source of zooxanthellae likely to serve as a route of infection in the natural environment is zooxanthella-laden mucus egested by anemones. This egested material fulfilled both of the criteria necessary for successful infection: it prompted larvae to begin feeding and provided an abundant supply of zooxanthellae that were ingested and taken up into endodermal cells of the new host.     

Photosynthesis and growth of red and green morphotypes of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) from the Philippines

The effect of photosynthetic available radiation (PAR) levels, light quality, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and temperature on photosynthesis, growth, and chlorophyll fluorescence was evaluated in red and green morphotypes of the rhodophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty under controlled conditions. Chlorophyll a and phycoerythrin (PE) levels were similar in the red and green morphotypes cultured under the same conditions, but phycocyanin (PC) and allophycocyanin (APC) levels were 2-fold greater in the green than in the red morphotype. Pigment characterization indicated that the overexpression of PC and APC masked the red pigmentation in the green morphotype. Maximum photosynthesis and photosynthetic efficiency were similar between the two morphotypes assayed at a wide temperature range, which was reflected in the similar growth rates observed in outdoor culture systems. In the green morphotype, photosynthetic efficiency increased 2-fold relative to the red morphotype when assayed with red light (λ > 600 nm), indicating that photosynthetic characteristics are modified as a result of pigment variation in these morphotypes. Such increase in photosynthetic efficiency in the green morphotype, however, did not result in greater growth rates when cultured under white light. Short exposure to high levels of solar radiation (UV-A + UV-B + PAR), and filtered solar radiation (UV-A + PAR or PAR) decreased effective quantum yield (ΔF/F _m′) in both morphotypes. The reduction of ΔF/F _m′ values in the red and green morphotypes was accounted for by high levels of PAR and not by the UV-A + UV-B + PAR and UV-A + PAR treatments. Photoinhibition caused by UV-A, UV-B, or PAR was completely reversed within 30 h after incubations. Recovery rates from photoinhibition, however, were significantly reduced in the green morphotype when incubated with UV-B radiation. The results here suggest that the overexpression of pigments do not necessarily increase photosynthesis and growth in these morphotypes. Received: 19 June 2000 / Accepted: 28 November 2000     

Hydrocarbons in benthic algae from the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Thirty-six samples of benthic algae were collected from the continental shelf along the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The algae contain 82.8±143 ppm aliphatic hydrocarbons by dry weight and 11.8±22.7 ppm aromatic and polyolefinic hydrocarbons. The aliphatic constituents of red algae are composed almost entirely of n-C₁₇ (70 to 95% of aliphatic weight); green algae have varying amounts of n-alkanes in the range of n-C₁₅ to n-C₁₉, with homologous series of odd carbon number n-alkenes. Phytadienes occur as high as 740 ppm dry weight in the green algae and do not appear to be related to time or place of collection or to presence of any petroleum pollutants. The single brown algal species contains predominantly n-C₁₅. About 30% of the samples have hydrocarbons resembling degraded petroleum residues, but no petroleum pollution of recent origin was detected in any specimen.     

Kinetic evidence for common photosynthetic step in diverse seaweeds

The turnover time of photosynthetic oxygen production was the same, near 0.5 msec, for the seaweeds Ulva lactuca, Codium fragile, Porphyryaumbilicalis, Chondrus crispus, Champia parvula and Fucus vesiculosis. This turnover time did not change for sun- and shade-adapted U. lactuca and P. umbilicalis. The similarity of these turnover times to those of other algae, higher plants, and cyanobacteria is strong evidence for similarity in the kinetics, and thus for a universal mechanism of photosynthesis. Evolution in the light-gathering apparatus responsible for the color of seaweeds has occurred without variation in the mechanism of photosynthesis. The size of the Emerson-Arnold photosynthetic unit (the ratio of chlorophyll to oxygen formed in a single tumover light flash) in the green seaweeds is about the same as that in algae, i.e., 2000. It is about half this number for the red and brown seaweeds. The different accessory pigments in the latter two groups compensate for the smaller amount of chlorophyll. The size of the unit was independent of sun- and shade-adaptation in U. lactuca, but did increase in shade-adapted P. umbilicalis.     

Occurrence and biological role of light-induced chromatophore displacements in seaweeds

The occurrence of light-induced chromatophore displacements and concomitant transmittance changes in marine algae was investigated by microscope and photometrically with an automated recording microphotometer system; 16 brown, 6 green and 20 red algae were studied. In most of the brown algae, both phaeoplast displacements and transmittance changes were found. In some red algae which are frequently exposed to direct sun light during emergence at low tide, light-induced transmittance changes were measured, but they could not unequivocally be correlated with changes in the position of rhodoplasts. Among green algae, only Ulva lactuca shows chloroplast displacements which, however, follow circadian rhythms and are consequently not light-induced in the strict sense. The dose-response curves of light-induced chromatophore displacements were measured in the following Fucus and Laminaria species: F. spiralis, F. vesiculosus, F. serratus, L. digitata, L. saccharina and L. hyperborea. While in Fucus species correlations between light-induced transmittance changes and zonation of the intertidal area seem to exist, no significant differences have been found in the Laminaria species. The physiological role and ecological importance of light-induced chromatophore displacements for seaweeds living in the intertidal belt are discussed.     

Saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in marine benthic algae

Saturated and olefinic hydrocarbons were determined in 24 species of green, brown and red benthic marine algae from the Cape Cod area (Massachusetts, USA). Among the saturated hydrocarbons, n-pentadecane predominates in the brown and n-heptadecane in the red algae. A C₁₇ alkyleyclopropane has been identified tentatively in Ulvalactuca and Enteromorpha compressa, two species of green algae. Mono-and diolefinic C₁₅ and C₁₇ hydrocarbons are common. The structures of several new C₁₇, C₁₉ and C₂₁ mono-to hexaolefins have been elucidated by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and ozonolysis. In fruiting Ascophyllum nodosum, the polyunsaturated hydrocarbons carbons occur exclusively in the reproductive structures. The rest of the plant contains n-alkanes from C₁₅ to C₂₁. A link between the reproductive chemistry of benthic and planktonic algae and their olefin content is suggested. An intriguing speculation is based on Paffenhöfer's (1970) observation that the sex ratio of laboratory reared Calanus helgolandicus depends upon the species of algae fed to the nauplii. The percentage of males produced correlates with our analyses of heneicosahexaene in the algal food. Our analyses of the hydrocarbons in benthic marine algae from coastal environments should aid studies of the coastal food web and should enable us to distinguish between hydrocarbon pollutants and the natural hydrocarbon background in inshore waters.Contribution No. 2582 of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; and Contribution No. 227, Systematics-Ecology Program.     

Viable algae released by the seastar <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dermasterias</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">imbricata</Emphasis> feeding on the symbiotic sea anemone <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anthopleura elegantissima</Emphasis>

Echinoderms are major predators of anemones in temperate ecosystems. The fate of two algae, zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae, after their host anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima Brandt) was consumed by the leather star Dermasterias imbricata Grube was determined in experiments conducted in July and August 2004. Productivity, photosynthetic pigments, and mitotic index (percent of cells dividing) were used as indicators of algal health; algae released after leather stars consumed their host were compared with algae freshly isolated from anemones. Two types of waste products contained algae: pellets resulting from extraoral digestion, and feces. Zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae isolated from these waste products were photosynthetic, although to different extents. For algae from feces and pellets, light-saturated photosynthetic rates (P _max) were 85 and 13%, respectively, of P _max of freshly isolated zooxanthellae; and were 20 and 46%, respectively, for zoochlorellae. The photosynthetic pigments and mitotic index (percent of dividing cells) were not altered by the feeding activities of the leather star. These results show that algae released by seastar predation on their hosts remain viable, and are hence available for establishing symbioses in A. elegantissima and other potential hosts.     

Comparative study of heavy metal distribution in some coastal seaweeds of Alexandria, Egypt

The distribution of Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentration in five algae species (Enteromorpha intestinalis, Enteromorpha linza, Ulva lactuca, Corallina mediterranea, Pterocladia capillacea) collected from three areas having different types of metal contamination along Alexandria coastal waters (Egypt) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The recovery study was carried out using a Certified Reference Material TORT-2. The obtained heavy metal contents indicate that different species demonstrate various degree of metal accumulation. Enteromorpha intestinalis (green algae) recorded the highest levels of Fe and Mn while Corallina mediterranea (Calcareous red algae) recorded the highest concentration of Pb, Ni, and Cd in the three areas under study. According to the present study, filamentous algae (Enteromorpha intestinalis) showed the ability to concentrate greater amount of trace elements than the foliaceous ones (Enteromorpha linza). In each area, mercury concentration has nearly the same value for all species under study.     

Food habits, gut morphology and pH, and assimilation efficiency of the zebraperch Hermosilla azurea, an herbivorous kyphosid fish of temperate marine waters

Adult zebraperch, Hermosilla azurea, were found to be functional herbivores in that animal matter constituted <0.01% of the total dry weight of stomach contents of fish collected off Santa Catalina Island in southern California waters. The diet of these fish consisted mainly of red algae (88.2% by dry wt) and also small amounts of brown (7.8%) and green (4.0%) algae. The most important dietary item, the filamentous red algae Polysiphonia spp., was found in >78% of the stomachs and comprised >60% of the contents by dry weight. The digestive tract was long, on average 4.0 times the standard length of the fish, and was composed of the stomach, pyloric caeca, intestine, hindgut chamber with a blind caecum, and rectum. The mean pH of the cardiac stomach was acidic (3.9), whereas that of the intestine was nearly neutral (6.9) and that of the hindgut and blind caecum slightly acidic (6.3 and 6.6, respectively). Algal foods are apparently digested by acid lysis in the stomach and by microbial fermentation in the hindgut. Zebraperch assimilated nutritional constituents from six species of algae with varying degrees of efficiency: carbon (73.7 to 89.7%), nitrogen (72.4 to 84.5%), and protein (71.9 to 94.9%). The fish assimilated these constituents as efficiently or more efficiently from three species of nondietary brown algae as from three species of dietary red and green algae. These results show that zebraperch, like their tropical and subtropical relatives (members of the genus Kyphosus), can digest a wide variety of algae including brown algae containing defensive secondary compounds. Received: 3 November 1997 / Accepted: 19 June 1998     

Ni2+胁迫对铜绿微囊藻（Microcystis aeruginosa）和集胞藻（Synechocystis sp.）的生长和光合色素的影响(Effects of Nickel on Growth and Photosynthetic Pigments of Microcystis aeruginosa and Synechocystis sp.)

光合作用是蓝藻生长繁殖的生理基础,研究重金属胁迫下蓝藻光合色素的变化和响应,有助于揭示其受害机理.在实验室无菌纯培养条件下,研究了不同浓度Ni2+处理下铜绿微囊藻和集胞藻的生物量和光合色素随时间的变化趋势.结果表明:浓度为5mg·L-1～25mg·L-1的Ni2+对M.aerugonisa的生长有抑制作用,随着处理剂量的增加和处理时间的延长,抑制作用愈加显著;在短时间(24h)内,Ni2+对Synechocystissp.的生长没有显著影响,随胁迫时间延长呈现出抑制作用;Ni2+处理M.aerugonisa至24h及Synechocystis sp.至48h时,藻细胞光吸收能力整体上受到明显抑制;5mg·L-1～25mg·L-1的Ni2+胁迫下,M.aerugonisa和Synechocystis sp.的叶绿素a含量随胁迫时间延长而降低;在叶绿素a(Chla)、藻蓝蛋白(PC)和别藻蓝蛋白(APC)三种光合色素中,藻蓝蛋白(PC)对Ni2+胁迫最为敏感,是Ni2+伤害蓝藻的重要作用位点.Ni2+对M.aerugonisa的抑制作用比Synechocystis sp.更明显.