Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of short-term exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation on photosynthesis and pigment content of red (wild types), greenish-brown, and green strains of Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Phycology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on physiological characteristics, our hypothesis was that different strains of Gracilaria birdiae from two distinct geographical areas of the Brazilian coast, 2,500 km apart, would respond differently to short-term exposure to UV-B radiation. These sites present diverse environment conditions, i.e., one is a warmer area in Ceará State (CE), northeast Brazil, whereas the other is a colder area in Espirito Santo State (ES), southeast Brazil. To test the hypothesis that the northeastern population is more resistant to the stress caused by UV-B than the southeastern, red (RD CE , RD ES ), green (GR CE ), and greenish-brown (GB CE ) strains were cultivated in the laboratory under two different treatments, viz., control (PAR) and artificial UV-B (PAR + UV-B), for 5 h each. Except for the RD CE strain, the effective quantum yield decreased after exposure to UV-B. The photosynthesis recovery observed only for the GR CE strain suggests dynamic photoinhibition. The phycoerythrin/phycocyanin ratio was also higher for the RD CE strain, thereby favoring phycobilisomes acclimatization to changes in irradiance. The absence of alterations in chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents indicated there to be no damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Results support the notion that the northeastern population, through adapting to higher irradiation, had thus become more resistant to increase UV-B. Furthermore, among the different strains, both the GR CE and RD CE strains appear to be more resistant to this radiation.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams P, Britz S (1992) Spectral quality of two fluorescent UV sources during long-term use. J Photochem Photobiol B 56:641–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aguilera J, Jiménez C, Figueroa FL, Lebert M, Häder D-P (1999) Effect of ultraviolet radiation on thallus absorption and photosynthetic pigments in the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis. J Photochem Photobiol B 48:75–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aguirre-von-Wobeser E, Figueroa FL, Cabello-Pasini A (2000) Effects of UV radiation on photoinhibition of marine macrophytes in culture systems. J Appl Phycol 12:159–168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aguirre-von-Wobeser E, Figueroa FL, Cabello-Pasini A (2001) Photosynthesis and growth of red and green morphotypes of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) from the Philippines. Mar Biol 138:679–686

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RA (1992) Diversity of eukaryotic algae. Biodiversity Conserv 1:267–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barufi JB, Korbee N, Oliveira MC, Figueroa FL (2011) Effects of N supply on the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and photoprotectors in Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta) cultured under UV radiation. J Appl Phycol 23:457–466

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bischof K, Gómez I, Molis M, Hanelt D, Karsten U, Lüder U, Roleda MY, Zacher K, Wiencke C (2006) Ultraviolet radiation shapes seaweed communities. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 5:141–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bixler HJ, Porse H (2010) A decade of change in the seaweed hydrocolloids industry. J Appl Phycol 23:321–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabrera S, Bozzo S, Fuenzalida H (1995) Variation in UV radiation in Chile. J Photochem Photobiol B 28:137–142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MH, Teramura AH, Tevini M (1989) The changing solar ultraviolet climate and the ecological consequences for higher plants. Trends Ecol Evol 4:363–367

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carnicas E, Jiménez C, Niell FX (1999) Effects of changes of irradiance on the pigment composition of Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia. J Photochem Photobiol B 50:149–158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costa VL, Plastino EM (2011) Color inheritance and pigment characterization of red (wild-type), greenish-brown, and green strains of Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta). J Appl Phycol 23:599–605

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costa E, Plastino EM, Petti R, Oliveira EC, Oliveira MC (2012) The Gracilariaceae Germplasm Bank of the University of São Paulo, Brazil—a DNA barcoding approach. J Appl Phycol 24:1643–1653

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davison IR, Jordan TL, Fegley JC, Grobe CW (2007) Response of Laminaria saccharina (Phaeophyta) growth and photosynthesis to simultaneous ultraviolet radiation and nitrogen limitation. J Phycol 43:636–646

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Souza JL, Nicácio RM, Moura MAL (2005) Global solar radiation measurements in Maceió, Brazil. Renew Energ 30:1203–1220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eswaran K, Mairh OP, Subba Rao PV (2002) Inhibition of pigments and phycocolloid in a marine red alga Gracilaria edulis by ultraviolet-B radiation. Biol Plant 45:157–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes DRP, Caetano VS, Tenório MMB, Reinert F, Yoneshigue-Valentin Y (2012) Characterization of the photosynthetic conditions and pigment profiles of the colour strains of Hypnea musciformis from field-collected and in vitro cultured samples. Braz J Pharmacogn 22:753–759

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Figueroa FL, Salles S, Aguilera J, Jiménez C, Mercado J, Viñegla B, Flores-Moya A, Altamirano M (1997) Effects of solar radiation on photoinhibition and pigmentation in the red alga Porphyra leucosticta. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 151:81–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Figueroa FL, Israel A, Neori A, Martínez B, Malta EJ, Put A, Inken S, Marquardt R, Abdala R, Korbee N (2010) Effect of nutrient supply on photosynthesis and pigmentation to short-term stress (UV radiation) in Gracilaria conferta (Rhodophyta). Mar Pollut Bull 60:1768–1778

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiscus EL, Booker FL (1995) Is increased UV-B a threat crop photosynthesis and productivity? Photosynth Res 43:81–92

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin L, Foster RM (1997) The changing irradiance environment: consequences for marine macrophyte physiology, productivity and ecology. Eur J Phycol 32:207–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin LA, Yakovleva I, Karsten U, Lüning K (1999) Synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids in Chondrus crispus (Florideophyceae) and the consequences for sensitivity to ultraviolet B radiation. J Phycol 35:682–693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez I, Figueroa FL, Sousa-Pinto I, Viñegla B, Pérez-Rodriguez E, Maestre C, Felga A, Pereira R (2001) Effects of UV radiation and temperature on photosynthesis as measured by PAM fluorescence in the red alga Gelidium pulchellum (Turner) Kützing. Bot Mar 44:9–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Häder D-P, Worrest RC, Kumer HD, Smith RC (1995) Effects of increased solar ultraviolet radiation on aquatic ecosystems. Ambio 24:174–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Häder D-P, Helbling EW, Williamson CE, Worrest RC (2011) Effects of UV radiation on aquatic ecosystems and interactions with climate change. Photochem Photobiol Sci 10:242–260

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanelt D (1996) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in marine macroalgae. Sci Mar 60:243–248

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanelt D, Wiencke C, Nultsch W (1997) Influence of UV radiation on the photosynthesis of Arctic macroalgae in the field. J Photochem Photobiol B 38:40–47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harker M, Berkaloff C, Lemoine Y, Britton G, Young AJ, Duval J, Rmiki N, Rousseau B (1999) Effects of high light and desiccation on the operation of the xanthophyll cycle in two marine brown algae. Eur J Phycol 34:35–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inskeep WP, Bloom PR (1985) Extinction coefficients of chlorophyll a and b in N, N-dimethylformamide and 80% acetone. Plant Physiol 77:483–485

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jassby AD, Platt T (1976) Mathematical formulation of the relationship between photosynthesis and light for phytoplankton. Limnol Oceanogr 21:540–547

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karentz D, Cleaver JE, Mitchell DL (1991) Cell survival characteristics and molecular responses of Antarctic phytoplankton to ultraviolet-B radiation. J Phycol 27:326–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraebs G, Wiencke C (2005) Photosynthesis, photosynthetic pigments and mycosporine-like amino acids after exposure of the marine red alga Chondrus crispus (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) to different light qualities. Phycologia 44:95–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH, Weis E (1991) Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: the basics. Annu Rev Pant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 42:313–349

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kursar TA, van der Meer J, Alberte RS (1983a) Light-harvesting system of the red algae Gracilaria tikvahiae. I. Biochemical analyses of pigment mutations. Plant Physiol 73:353–360

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kursar TA, van der Meer J, Alberte RS (1983b) Light-harvesting system of the red algae Gracilaria tikvahiae. II. Phycobilisome characteristics of pigment mutants. Plant Physiol 73:361–369

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie RL, Aucamp PJ, Bais AF, Björn LO, Ilyas M, Madronich S (2011) Ozone depletion and climate change: impacts on UV radiation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 10:182–198

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moura AD, Shukla J (1981) On the dynamics of droughts in northeast Brazil: observation, theory and numerical experiments with a general circulation model. J Atmos Sci 38:2653–2675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osmond CB (1994) What is photoinhibition? Some insights from comparisons of shade and sun plants. In: Baker NR, Bowyer JR (eds) Photoinhibition of photosynthesis, from molecular mechanisms to the field. Bios Scientific Publications, Oxford, pp 1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Plastino EM, Guimarães M (2001) Diversidad intraespecifica. In: Alveal K, Antezana T (eds) Sustentabilidad de la biodiversidad, un problema actual. Bases cientifico-tecnicas, teorizaciones y proyecciones. Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, pp 19–27

  • Plastino EM, Oliveira EC (2002) Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta), a new species from the tropical South American Atlantic with a terete frond and deep spermatangial conceptacles. Phycologia 41:389–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plastino EM, Ursi S, Fujii MT (2004) Color inheritance, pigment characterization, and growth of a rare light green strain of Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta). Phycol Res 52:45–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poppe F, Hanelt D, Wiencke C (2002) Changes in ultrastructure, photosynthetic activity and pigments in the Antarctic Red Alga Palmaria decipiens during acclimation to UV radiation. Bot Mar 45:253–261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Poppe F, Schmidt RAM, Hanelt D, Wiencke C (2003) Effects of UV radiation on the ultrastructure of several red algae. Phycol Res 51:11–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Rautenberger R, Mansilla A, Gomez I, Wiencke C, Bischof K (2009) Photosynthetic responses to UV-radiation of intertidal macroalgae from the Strait of Magellan (Chile). Rev Chil Hist Nat 82:43–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roleda MY, Hanelt D, Kräbs G, Wiencke C (2004a) Morphology, growth, photosynthesis and pigments in Laminaria ochroleuca (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) under ultraviolet radiation. Phycologia 43:603–613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roleda MY, van der Poll WH, Halnet D, Wiencke C (2004b) PAR and UVBR effects on photosynthesis, viability, growth and DNA in different life stages of two coexisting Gigartinales: implications for recruitment and zonation pattern. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 281:37–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt EC, Maraschin M, Bouzon ZL (2010) Effects of UVB radiation on the carragenophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales): changes in ultrastructure, growth, and photosynthetic pigments. Hydrobiologia 649:171–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U (2004) Pulse-Amplitude-Modulation (PAM) fluorometry and saturation pulse method: an overview. In: Papageorgiou GC, Govindjee (eds) Chlorophyll a fluorescence: a signature of photosynthesis. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 279–319

  • Sinha RP, Klisch M, Gröniger A, Häder D-P (2000) Mycosporine-like amino acids in the marine red alga Gracilaria cornea—effects of UV and heat. Environ Exp Bot 43:33–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talarico L (1996) Phycobiliproteins and phycobilisomes in red algae: adaptative responses to light. Sci Mar 60:205–222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Titlyanov EA, Yakovleva IM (2001) Effects of high visible and UV irradiance on subtidal Chondrus crispus: stress, photoinhibition and protective mechanisms. Aquat Bot 71:47–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ursi S, Plastino EM (2001) Crescimento in vitro de linhagens de coloração vermelha e verde clara de Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) em dois meios de cultura: análise de diferentes estádios reprodutivos. Rev Braz Bot 24:587–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Ursi S, Pedersén M, Plastino EM, Snoeijs P (2003) Intraspecific variation of photosynthesis, respiration and photoprotective carotenoids in Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales: Rhodophyta). Mar Biol 142:997–1007

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe S, Sudo K, Nagashima T, Takemura T, Kawase H, Nozawa T (2011) Future projections of surface UV-B in a changing climate. J Geophys Res 116, D16118. doi:10.1029/2011JD015749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellburn AR (1994) The spectral determination of chlorophylls a and b, as well as total carotenoids, using various solvents with spectrophotometers of different resolution. J Plant Physiol 144:307–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu J, Gao K (2010) UV-A enhanced growth and UV-B induced positive effects in the recovery of photochemical yield in Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta). J Photochem Photobiol B 100:117–122

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xue L, Zhang Y, Zhang T, An L, Wang X (2005) Effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on algae and Cyanobacteria. Crit Rev Microbiol 31:79–89

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yakovleva IM, Dring M, Titlyanov EA (1998) Tolerance of North Sea algae to UV and visible radiation. Russ J Plant Physiol 45:45–54

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoya NS, Necchi O, Martins AP, Gonzalez SF, Plastino EM (2007) Growth responses and photosynthetic characteristics of wild and phycoerythrin-deficient strains of Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyta). J Appl Phycol 19:197–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zepp RG, Erickson DJ III, Paul ND, Sulzberger B (2011) Effects of solar UV radiation and climate change on biogeochemical cycling: interactions and feedbacks. Photochem Photobiol Sc 10:261–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research had been supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP: 2010/50175-3; 2011/10189-8), Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq: 300148/93-3), and Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes). The authors acknowledge Rosário Petti for assistance on cultivation. We also thank Prof. Dr. Carlos Frederico Martins Menck for providing the radiometer during the course of this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP 05508-090, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    L. M. Ayres-Ostrock & E. M. Plastino

Authors
  1. L. M. Ayres-Ostrock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. M. Plastino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. M. Plastino.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ayres-Ostrock, L.M., Plastino, E.M. Effects of short-term exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation on photosynthesis and pigment content of red (wild types), greenish-brown, and green strains of Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta). J Appl Phycol 26, 867–879 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0131-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0131-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation