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Aeroterrestrial Microalgae Growing in Biofilms on Facades—Response to Temperature and Water Stress

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Abstract

The photosynthetic performance of a microalgal biofilm colonizing a building facade was investigated between February and July 2004, with an emphasis on changing water availability and air humidity. The fluorimetric measurements of the quantum efficiency (F v/F m) indicated diurnal activity patterns. At most sampling dates the algal biofilm photosynthesized particularly in the morning and substantially less in the afternoon. As long as liquid water was present, the microalgae exhibited at least some degree of photosynthesis. However, F v/F m values never exceeded 0.4, pointing to slight photoinhibition or damage of the cells. Dried cells without photosynthesis could recover within minutes after artificial moistening.

Three microalgal strains were isolated from aeroterrestrial biofilms and established as unialgal cultures. Their photosynthesis and growth were characterized under different air humidities and temperatures. Photosynthesis and growth of strain ROS 55/3 (Stichococcus sp.) showed similar patterns with decreasing relative air humidity. Positive growth and optimum photosynthesis were recorded at 100% relative air humidity. At air humidities below 93%, both processes were strongly inhibited. All studied strains grew between 1 and 30°C with optimum rates at 20–23°C, indicating eurythermal features.

The data indicate that liquid water or 100% air humidity are the prerequisite for optimum photosynthesis and growth of aeroterrestrial microalgae. However, when dried and consequently inactive, these microorganisms can recover quickly if water is suddenly available, e.g., after rain events. These physiological capabilities explain well the ecological success of aeroterrestrial microalgae in occupying many man-made substrata such as building facades and roof tiles in urban areas.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Evelyn Lawrenz and Manuela Görs for their assistance during algal cultivation and maintenance of our species collection. Prof. Thomas Friedl, University of Göttingen, helped with the molecular identification of all strains studied. Prof. Gunter Kirst, University of Bremen, provided the temperature aluminum blocks, and Prof. Andreas Wohltmann, University of Bremen, the air humidity chambers. We greatly appreciate the financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Project Ka 899/13-1).

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences—Applied Ecology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3, D-18055, Rostock, Germany

    N. Häubner, R. Schumann & U. Karsten

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  1. N. Häubner
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  2. R. Schumann
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  3. U. Karsten
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Correspondence to U. Karsten.

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Häubner, N., Schumann, R. & Karsten, U. Aeroterrestrial Microalgae Growing in Biofilms on Facades—Response to Temperature and Water Stress. Microb Ecol 51, 285–293 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-006-9016-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-006-9016-1

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