Photosynthetic water splitting. Annual report, November 1, 1981-October 31, 1982
The first measurements of the simultaneous photoproduction of hydrogen and oxygen in marine green algae have been performed. Eight species in the general Chlamydomonas, Chlorella, and Halochlorocococcum were tested in CO/sub 2/-free sea water. Four of the five species of Chlamydomonas were able to produce hydrogen in the light after a period of 3 to 4 h of dark anaerobic adaptation. Only one of the two Chlorella species tested was able to photoproduce hydrogen - in trace amounts. Halochlorocococcum fla-9 gave positive results, and Chlamydomonas species (clone f-9) had a steady-state rate of hydrogen and oxygen production during irradiation with a stoichiometric ratio near 2:1. The integrated yields of hydrogen and oxygen produced by this species correspond to about 450 turnovers of the photochemical reaction centers. This number exceeds (by about a factor of 20) the electron-carrying capacity of the electron transport chain linking Photosystems I and II. These data suggest that Chlamydomonas f-9 makes sea water a potential substrate for solar hydrogen and oxygen production.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 6322328
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-8628; GRI-82-0033; ON: DE83010386
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
080106 -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Biosynthesis & Photochemical Processes
14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ALGAE
BIOCONVERSION
BIOPHOTOLYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLAMYDOMONAS
CHLORELLA
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOLYSIS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA
PLANTS
SEAWATER
SYNTHESIS
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
WATER