Subcellular Localized Chemical Imaging of Benthic Algal Nutritional Content via HgCdTe Array FT-IR

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Vibrational Spectroscopy

OSTI ID:980577

Wetzel, D; Murdock, J; Dodds, W

Algae respond rapidly and uniquely to changes in nutrient availability by adjusting pigment, storage product, and organelle content and quality. Cellular and subcellular variability of the relative abundance of macromolecular pools (e.g. protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and phosphodiesters) within the benthic (bottom dwelling) alga Cladophora glomerata (a common nuisance species in fresh and saline waters) was revealed by FT-IR microspectroscopic imaging. Nutrient heterogeneity was compared at the filament, cellular, and subcellular level, and localized nutrient uptake kinetics were studied by detecting the gradual incorporation of isotopically labeled nitrogen (N) (as K15NO3) from surrounding water into cellular proteins. Nutritional content differed substantially among filament cells, with differences driven by protein and lipid abundance. Whole cell imaging showed high subcellular macromolecular variability in all cells, including adjacent cells on a filament that developed clonally. N uptake was also very heterogeneous, both within and among cells, and did not appear to coincide with subcellular protein distribution. Despite high intercellular variability, some patterns emerged. Cells acquired more 15N the further they were away from the filament attachment point, and 15N incorporation was more closely correlated with phosphodiester content than protein, lipid, or carbohydrate content. Benthic algae are subject to substantial environmental heterogeneity induced by microscale hydrodynamic factors and spatial variability in nutrient availability. Species specific responses to nutrient heterogeneity are central to understanding this key component of aquatic ecosystems. FT-IR microspectroscopy, modified for benthic algae, allows determination of algal physiological responses at scales not available using current techniques.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: Doe - Office Of Science
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 980577
• Report Number(s): BNL-93495-2010-JA; VISPEK; TRN: US201015%%1962
• Journal Information: Vibrational Spectroscopy, Vol. 48; ISSN 0924-2031
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
ABUNDANCE
ALGAE
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AVAILABILITY
CARBOHYDRATES
CELL CONSTITUENTS
DISTRIBUTION
FILAMENTS
HYDRODYNAMICS
KINETICS
LIPIDS
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
PONDS
PROTEINS
STORAGE
UPTAKE
WATER
national synchrotron light source