Abstract
The rate of photosynthesis was measured in the field with in-situ populations of benthic microalgae during both summer and winter in three distinct areas of the salt marshes adjacent to Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA. In the vegetated portions of the marsh, maximum rates of photosynthesis occurred at light intensities higher than the average light intensities beneath the canopy. In the bare creek-bank areas, maximum rates occurred at less than the full sunlight intensities to which the algae are exposed on a clear day. There was a significant seasonal acclimatization to the higher light intensities during the summer months in all three areas. Photoinhibition usually occurred at full light intensities.
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Communicated by J. M. Lawrence, Tampa
Contributiion No. 481 from the University of Georgia Marine Institute
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Whitney, D.E., Darley, W.M. Effect of light intensity upon salt marsh benthic microalgal photosynthesis. Mar. Biol. 75, 249–252 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406009
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406009