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Impacts of enhanced UVB radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae, Heterokontophyta)

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Abstract

Solar ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance at the Earth’s surface is increasing due to anthropogenic influences. To evaluate the effects of enhanced UVB radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, the species was exposed to four levels of UVB radiation, 0, 0.25, 0.75, and 1.50 KJ m−2 day−1 for 7 days. Effects of UVB stress on net photosynthetic rate, net respiration rate, variable chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters, Chl a and carotenoid contents, and UV-absorbing compounds (UVACs) were investigated. Results showed that there were no significant differences in terms of net respiration rate or maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) between the treatments in the short or long term. However, enhanced UVB radiation at an intensity of 0.16 W m−2 had a negative effect on the net photosynthetic rate, electron transport rate, and on the pathway of excess energy dissipation over the short term (1 to 5 days). Carotenoid and UVACs content increased under UVB radiation. Photosynthetic parameters were unaffected by UVB radiation on the seventh day indicating that P. tricornutum can adapt to UVB radiation in the long term. Results of the present study indicate that there is a dynamic balance between damage and adaptation in microalgae that enables them to adapt to UVB-induced photosystem alterations during both short-term and long-term exposure.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to all of the members of the laboratory and Dr. Liang in the College of Fisheries in Ocean University of China for her help. The authors appreciate to those who taken the time to critically review this manuscript. This study was supported by the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC-U 1406403), the Ocean Public Welfare Scientific Research Project of the State Oceanic Administration of the People’s Republic of China (201305009), and the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (20110132120025).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

    Kunpeng Shi, Chengyue Liu, Zhimeng Xu & Xuexi Tang

  2. Laboratory of Phycology and Algae Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

    Jia Yu

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  1. Kunpeng Shi
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Correspondence to Xuexi Tang.

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Shi, K., Yu, J., Liu, C. et al. Impacts of enhanced UVB radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae, Heterokontophyta). J Appl Phycol 29, 1287–1296 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-017-1067-9

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