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Stochastic parallel processing can shape photosynthesis–irradiance curves in phytoplankton—the Q model

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Abstract

A mechanistic model was formulated that describes the rate of photosynthesis based on an analogy with queuing systems of operational research. The parallel electron processing capacity of the plastoquinone pool was hypothesized to be the key element in the photosynthetic electron transport chain, determining the process of light saturation for phytoplankton. The state of the plastoquinone pool was described mathematically by a continuous-time Markov chain. The model assumes that traditional photosynthesis measurements using incubation under constant irradiance can be regarded as stochastic equilibria. The model was tested on a set of photosynthesis–irradiance measurements taken in Lake Balaton (Hungary). It clearly outperformed the two most common empirical photosynthesis–irradiance models used in limnology by delivering the best-fit in most cases. Thus, the traditional limnological practice of choosing the right empirical, two-parameter photosynthesis–irradiance model that produces the best-fit can be replaced by simple calibration of three parameters, including a new one describing the degree of parallelism in the photosynthetic units. This parameter was found to specify the curvature of the photosynthesis–irradiance function.

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Abbreviations

E :

Irradiance (quanta m−2 s−1)

E k :

saturation light intensity (quanta m−2 s−1)

ETC:

Electron transport chain

I :

Exciton generation rate on a PSU (e− s−1)

N :

Number of possible states of a PSU (–)

n i :

Number of reduced PQ molecules at state i (–)

p :

Probability (–)

P U :

PSU specific rate of photosynthesis (mol O2 s−1)

P BM :

Maximal rate of biomass specific photosynthesis (mol O2 (mol Chl)−1 s−1)

PQ:

Plastoquinone

PSU:

Photosynthetic unit

q :

Number of PQ molecules in a PSU (–)

RC:

Reaction centre

αB :

Initial slope of the P B versus E curve (mol O2 m2 quanta−1 (mol Chl)−1)

κ:

Biomass specific number of photosynthetic units (mol PSU (mol Chl)−1)

π:

Relative probability (–)

σPSU :

Functional adsorption cross-section of PSU (m2)

τ:

Turnover time of PQ (s−1)

ϕ c :

Biochemical yield of photosynthesis (mol O2 quanta−1)

ΦRC :

Quantum yield of photosynthesis (e− quanta−1)

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported financially by the ‘Phytoplankton-on-line’ (EVK1-CT-1999-00037) project. Additional financial support was provided by the National Office for Research and Development (“BALÖKO” project). I thank Dr. Vera Istvánovics for discussions and data and Dr. László Koncsos for mathematical guidance.

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  1. Water Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences at the Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Muegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest, 1111, Hungary

    Mark Honti

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Honti, M. Stochastic parallel processing can shape photosynthesis–irradiance curves in phytoplankton—the Q model. Hydrobiologia 592, 315–328 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0764-9

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