Photoadaptation in marine phytoplankton: changes in spectral absorption and excitation of chlorophyll a fluorescence

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Plant Physiol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.76.2.518· OSTI ID:6098531

Neori, A; Holm-Hansen, O; Mitchell, B G; Kiefer, D A

The optical properties of marine phytoplankton were examined by measuring the absorption spectra and fluorescence excitation spectra of chlorophyll a for natural marine particles collected on glass fiber filters. Samples were collected at different depths from stations in temperate waters of the Southern California Bight and in polar waters of the Scotia and Ross Seas. At all stations, phytoplankton fluorescence excitation and absorption spectra changed systematically with depth and vertical stability of the water columns. In samples from deeper waters, both absorption and chlorophyll a fluorescence excitation spectra showed enhancement in the blue-to-green portion of the spectrum (470-560 nm) relative to that at 440 nm. Since similar changes in absorption and excitation were induced by incubating sea water samples at different light intensities, the changes in optical properties can be attributed to photoadaptation of the phytoplankton. The data indicate that in the natural populations studied, shade adaptation caused increases in the concentration of photosynthetic accessory pigments relative to chlorophyll a. These changes in cellular pigment composition were detectable within less than 1 day. Comparisons of absorption spectra with fluorescence excitation spectra indicate an apparent increase in the efficiency of sensitization of chlorophyll a fluorescence in the blue and green spectral regions for low light populations. 30 references, 6 figures.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, La Jolla
• DOE Contract Number: AM03-76SF00010
• OSTI ID: 6098531
• Journal Information: Plant Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Plant Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 76:2; ISSN PLPHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
CALIFORNIA
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHLOROPHYLL
COASTAL WATERS
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FEDERAL REGION IX
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HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LUMINESCENCE
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OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOSENSITIVITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYTOCHROMES
PHYTOPLANKTON
PIGMENTS
PLANKTON
POLAR REGIONS
PORPHYRINS
RADIATIONS
SAMPLING
SEAS
SEAWATER
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SURFACE WATERS
USA
VISIBLE RADIATION
WATER