Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and respiration of phytoplankton, benthic macroalgae and seagrasses

  • Regular Paper
  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several species of marine benthic algae, four species of phytoplankton and two species of seagrass have been subjected to ultraviolet B irradiation for varying lengths of time and the effects on respiration, photosynthesis and fluorescence rise kinetics studied. No effect on respiration was found. Photosynthesis was inhibited to a variable degree in all groups of plants after irradiation over periods of up to 1 h and variable fluorescence was also inhibited in a similar way. The most sensitive plants were phytoplankton and deep-water benthic algae. Intertidal benthic algae were the least sensitive to UV-B irradiation and this may be related to adaptation, through the accumulation of UV-B screening compounds, to high light/high UV-B levels. Inhibition of variable fluorescence (Fv) of the fluorescence rise curve was a fast and sensitive indicator of UV-B damage. Two plants studied, a brown alga and a seagrass, showed very poor recovery of Fv over a period of 32 h.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

Fm-:

fluorescence yield with reaction centres closed

Fo-:

fluorescence yield with reaction centres open

Fv-:

variable fluorescence

PAR-:

photosynthetically active radiation

P680-:

primary donor of Photosystem II

O-:

primary quencher of Photosystem II

QA-:

primary quinone acceptor of Photosystem II

UV-B-:

ultraviolet B

References

  • Björn LO, Bornman JF and Olsson E (1986) Effects of ultraviolet radiation on fluorescence induction kinetics in isolated thylakoids and intact leaves. In: Worrest RC and Caldwell MM (eds) Stratospheric Ozone Reduction, Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Plant Life, pp 186–197. Springer Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowes G (1985) Pathways of CO2 fixation by aquatic organisms. In: Lucas WJ and Berry JA (eds) Inorganic Carbon Uptake by Aquatic Photosynthetic Organisms, pp 187–210. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Rockville, MD

    Google Scholar 

  • Brasseur GP, Granier C and Walters S (1990) Future changes in stratospheric ozone and the role of heterogeneous chemistry. Nature 348: 626–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM (1981) Plant response to solar ultraviolet radiation In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB and Ziegler H (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology NS, Vol 12A, pp 169–197, Springer Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Carreto JI, Carignan MO, Daleo G and DeMarco SG (1990), Occurrence of mycosporine-like amino acids in the red-tide dinoflagellate Alexandrinum excavatum: UV-photoprotective compounds? J Plankton Res 12: 909–921

    Google Scholar 

  • Chrystal J and Larkum AWD (1988) Preservation of long-wavelength fluorescence in the isolated thylakoids of two phytoplanktonic algae. Biochim Biophys Acta 932: 189–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullen JJ and Lesser MP (1991) Inhibition of photosynthesis by ultraviolet radiation as a function of dose and dosage rate: results for a marine diatom. Marine Biology 111: 183–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap WC and Chalker BE (1986) Identification and quantitation of near-UV absorbing compounds (S-320) in a hermatypic scleractinian. Coral Reefs 5: 155–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekelund NGA (1991) The effects of UV-B radiation on dinoflagellates. Plant Physiol 138: 274–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin LA, Levavasseur G, Osmond CB, Henley WJ and Ramus J (1992) Two components of onset and recovery during photoinhibition of Ulva rotundata. Planta 186: 399–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karentz D, McEuen FS, Land MC and Dunlap WC (1991) Survey of mycosporine-like amino acid compounds in Antarctic marine organisms: Potential protection from ultraviolet exposure. Mar Biol (Berl) 108: 157–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Larkum AWD and Wood WF (1990) The effect of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and Photosystem II of phytoplanktonic and benthic algae and seagrasses. In: Baltcheffsky M (ed) Current Research in Photosynthesis, Vol II, pp 385–388. Kluwer Acad. Publishers, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorentzen CJ (1979) Ultraviolet radiation and phytoplankton photosynthesis. Limnol Oceanogr 24: 1117–1120

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchant HJ, Davidson AT and Kelly GJ (1991) UV-B protecting compounds in the marine alga Phaeocystis Pouchetii from Antarctica. Marine Biology 109: 391–395

    Google Scholar 

  • McElroy MB and Salawitch RJ (1989) Changing composition of the global stratosphere. Science 243: 763–770

    Google Scholar 

  • Post A and Larkum AWD (1993) UV-absorbing pigments, photosynthesis and UV exposure in Antarctica: Comparison of terrestrial and marine algae. Aquatic Botany 45, in press

  • Proffitt MH, Margitan JJ, Kelly KK, Lowenstein M and Podolske JR (1990) Ozone loss inferred from high-altitude aircraft measurements. Nature 347: 31–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renger G, Voss M, Graber P and Schulze A (1986) Effect of UV irradiation on the different partial reactions of the primary processes of photosynthesis. In: Worrest RC and Caldwell MM (eds) Stratospheric Ozone Reduction, Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Plant Life, pp 171–184, Springer Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivalingam PM, Ikawa Y, Yokohama Y and Nisizawa K (1974) Distribution of a 334 UV-absorbing-substance in algae, with a special regard of its possible physiological roles. Bot Marina 17: 23–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Trocine RP, Rice JD and Wells GN (1981) Inhibition of seagrass photosynthesis by ultraviolet-B radiation. Plant Physiol 66: 74–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood WF (1987) Effect of solar ultra-violet radiation on the kelp Ecklonia radiata. Marine Biology 96: 143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood WF (1989) Photoadaptive responses of the tropical red alga Eucheuma striatum Schmitz (Gigartinales) to ultraviolet radiation. Aquatic Bot 33: 41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worrest RC (1982) Review of literature concerning the impact of UV-B radiation on marine organisms. In: Calkins J (ed) The Role of Solar Radiation in Marine Ecosystems, pp 429–457. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Worrest RC and Caldwell MM (eds) (1986) Stratospheric Ozone Reduction, Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Plant Life, 374 pp. Springer Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Worrest RC, VanDyke H and Thomson BE (1978) Impact of enhanced simulated ultraviolet radiation upon a marine community. Photochem Photobiol 27: 471–478

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia

    A. W. D. Larkum & W. F. Wood

Authors
  1. A. W. D. Larkum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. F. Wood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Larkum, A.W.D., Wood, W.F. The effect of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and respiration of phytoplankton, benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. Photosynth Res 36, 17–23 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018071

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018071

Key words

Search

Navigation