Efecto de la irradiancia en el crecimiento, fotosíntesis, contenido pigmentario y consumo de nutrientes en cultivos densos de Rhodomonas salina (Wislouch) (Cryptophyceae)

12 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas.[EN] The effects of different incident irradiances on growth, photosynthesis, pigment content and nutrient uptake were studied in dense cultures of the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina (Wislouch) Hill y Wetherbee. Cells were grown for ten days at different incident irradiances: 11, 33, 75, 260 and 320 ?mol photon m-2s-1. The average pigment content (phycoerythrin and chlorophyll a) was lower when cells were grown at high irradiances (260 and 320 ?mol photon m-2s-1) compared with cells grown under low irradiances (11, 33 and 75 ?mol photon m-2s-1).The maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) was maximal at 75 ?mol photon m-2s-1 , decreasing considerably at the highest irradiance in which apparent photosynthetic efficiency per cell and per chlorophyll a unit (ᣥll and ᣨla) also decreased. Results showed that dense cultures of R. salina grew optimally in a range between 75 and 260 ?mol photon m-2s-1 with optimal photosynthetic performance at 75 ?mol photon m-2s-1. Nitrogen and phosphorus depletion occurred as a consequence of the exponential growth, except under the lowest and the highest irradiances (11 and 320 ?mol photon m-2s-1, respectively). Associated to N-limitation, phycoerythrin (PE) and chlorophyll a decreased considerably. It is suggested that R.salina responds to nitrogen-depleted conditions by mobilizing nitrogen from PE, this behaviour being modelled by a relationship between external nitrogen availability and PE mobilization.[ES] En este trabajo se analizan los efectos que diferentes irradiancias incidentes tienen en el crecimiento, características fotosintéticas, contenido pigmentario e incorporación de nutrientes en cultivos densos de la criptofita Rhodomonas salina (Wislouch) Hill y Wetherbee. Con tal fin, se mantuvieron cultivos durante diez días bajo distintas condiciones de luz incidente: 11, 33, 75, 260 y 320 µmol fotón m-2s-1. El contenido pigmentario promedio (ficoeritrina y clorofila a) fue menor en células adaptadas a las mayores irradiancias (260 y 320 µmol fotón m-2s-1) en comparación con las adaptadas a las irradiancias menores (11, 33 y 75 µmol fotón m-2s-1). El valor máximo de fotosíntesis (Pmax) se obtuvo para las células adaptadas a 75 µmol fotón m-2s-1, decreciendo considerablemente para la irradiancia máxima ensayada en la que también la eficiencia fotosintética (ácel. and ácla) fue menor. Los resultados muestran que esta criptofita crece óptimamente en cultivos densos en un rango de irradiancias incidentes entre 75 y 260 µmol fotón m-2s-1, con una actividad fotosintética óptima a 75 µmol fotón m-2s-1. Como consecuencia del crecimiento exponencial de los cultivos, se produjo una desaparición paulatina y prácticamente total del nitrógeno y el fósforo del medio, excepto en los cultivos adaptados a las irradiancias máxima (320 µmol fotón m-2s-1) y minima (11 µmol fotón m-2s-1) empleadas. Asociada a tales condiciones de limitación de nitrógeno se observó una disminución del contenido celular de ficoeritrina y clorofila a, definiéndose una clara relación entre la disponibilidad de nitrógeno externo y la tasa de desaparición de ficoeritrina. Estos resultados sugieren que Rhodomonas salina es capaz de movilizar el nitrógeno asociado a la ficoeritrina como respuesta ante condiciones de baja disponibilidad de dicho nutriente.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por un proyecto CICYT (AMB-0684-CO2-01) del Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, España.Peer reviewe

Acumulación de Cu y Zn por célular microalgales marinas de Nannochloropsis gaditana (Eustigmatophyceae) inmovilizadas en alginato de calcio

13 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas.[EN] Different experiments about the accumulation capacity for copper and zinc were carried out on the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana Lubián (Eustigmatophyceae). A 24-hour study of the evolution of accumulated metal in the beads revealed two possible accumulation phases. Accumulation differences between free and immobilized microalgal cells were investigated finding no differences for copper, and little differences for zinc. Free cells accumulated practically 100% Cu or Zn in the media under experimental conditions. Experiments in order to compare the accumulation capacity of living vs. dead cells were designed too, obtaining the largest accumulation levels for both metals in the beads containing immobilized living microalgae. In experiments carried out in continuous-flow reactors, beads with entrapped cells showed to be more efficient removing Cu and Zn than beads without cells. In all the experiments, the calcium alginate beads showed strong affinity for Cu. Similar results were obtained when accumulation by packed beads in columns was tested, but efficacy was higher if this design was used (beads with cells retain 80% of Cu introduced in the column).[ES] Se han realizado distintos experimentos sobre la capacidad de acumulación de cobre y zinc por parte de la microalga marina Nannochloropsis gaditana Lubián (Eustigmatophyceae). Un estudio de la evolución del metal acumulado durante 24 horas reveló la existencia de dos posibles fases de acumulación. Se investigaron las diferentes capacidades de acumulación de células microalgales libres e inmovilizadas, no encontrándose diferencias para el cobre y pequeñas diferencias para el zinc. Las células libres acumularon prácticamente el 100% del Cu o Zn presentes en el medio, en las condiciones experimentales. Se desarrollaron experimentos encaminados a determinar la capacidad de acumulación de estos metales por parte de algas inmovilizadas vivas frente a la de algas inmovilizadas muertas, encontrándose los niveles acumulativos más altos para ambos metales en las gotas de alginato que contenían algas vivas. En experimentos realizados en reactores de flujo continuo, las gotas de alginato con células inmovilizadas en su interior demostraron ser más eficientes en cuanto a la retirada de Cu y Zn del medio que las gotas sin algas. En todos los experimentos realizados se observa una fuerte afinidad del Cu por el alginato de calcio. Se obtuvieron resultados similares cuando se ensayó la acumulación de metales en gotas de alginato dispuestas en columnas llenas, aunque la eficacia fue mayor cuando se usó este último diseño (las gotas de alginato con células retuvieron el 80% del Cu introducido en la columna).Peer reviewe

Types and Distribution of Bioactive Polyunsaturated Aldehydes in a Gradient from Mesotrophic to OligotrophicWaters in the Alborán Sea (Western Mediterranean)

Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are bioactive molecules suggested as chemical defenses and infochemicals. In marine coastal habitats, diatoms reach high PUA production levels during bloom episodes. Two fractions of PUA can usually be analyzed: pPUA obtained via artificial breakage of collected phytoplankton cells and dissolved PUA already released to the environment (dPUA). In nature, resource supply arises as a main environmental controlling factor of PUA production. In this work, we monitored the vertical distribution and daily variation of pPUA associated with large-size phytoplankton and dPUA, at three sites located in the Alboran Sea from mesotrophic to oligotrophic waters. The results corroborate the presence of large-size PUA producers in oligotrophic and mesotrophic waters with a significant (58%-85%) diatom biomass. In addition to diatoms, significant correlations between pPUA production and dinoflagellate and silicoflagellate abundance were observed. 2E,4E/Z-Heptadienal was the most abundant aldehyde at the three sites with higher values (17.1 fg center dot cell(-1)) at the most oligotrophic site. 2E,4E/Z-Decadienal was the least abundant aldehyde, decreasing toward the oligotrophic site. For the first time, we describe the daily fluctuation of pPUA attributable to cellular physiological state and not exclusively to taxonomical composition. Our results demonstrate the persistence of threshold levels of dPUA deep in the water column, as well as the different chromatographic profiles of dPUA compared with pPUA. We propose different isomerization processes that alter the chemical structure of the released PUAs with unknown effects on their stability, biological function, and potential bioactivity

Interaction between elevated co2 and organic matter on bacterial metabolismo

Aquatic Sciences Meeting (Aquatic Sciences: Global And Regional Perspectives - North Meets South), 22-27 February 2015, Granada, Spain.Microcosm experiments to assess bacterioplankton response to autochthonous inputs of organic matter modified by future acidified ocean conditions were performed. Surface seawater enriched with inorganic nutrients and incubated in UVR-transparent cubitainers was bubbled for 8 days with regular air (380 ppmv CO2) or with a high CO2-air mixture (1000 ppmv CO2) to be used as inocula. In the second phase of the experiment, natural bacterioplankton communities enriched with the acidified or non-acidified organic matter inocula were incubated under dark conditions during 8 days in the presence or absence of CO2 as previously. Bacterial abundance, production and viability were measured as physiological indicators of bacterial metabolism. The results showed that acidified organic matter produced higher abundances for similar production rates early during the incubation, while non-acidified organic matter produced higher bacterial production and viability latter at the end of the experiment, indicating a more recalcitrant character of the organic matter under these conditions. We demonstrate that CO2 effects on bacterioplankton are mainly due to indirect effects on organic matter characteristics rather than to direct effects of acidification on bacteria metabolism.N

Projected Changes in Photosynthetic Picoplankton in a Warmer Subtropical Ocean

The oligotrophic subtropical gyres are the largest biome on Earth, where picoplankton constitute the dominant autotrophs. The trend for autotrophic picoplankton to increase with sea temperature has led to predictions that picophytoplankton abundance will increase with warming. Here we conducted a global survey in the open subtropical-tropical ocean to resolve the functional relationships between picophytoplankton abundance and oceanic properties (water temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, nutrient concentrations, and underwater visible and ultraviolet B radiation). We then used these relationships to build models projecting the future changes of Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and eukaryotic picoautotrophs populations in the subtropical gyres with warming. Our goal is to refine the forecasts for this large biome and implement the analysis by including the picoeukaryotes, absent in previous models, but a relevant component of picophytoplankton. The data obtained and the relationships found in our global survey of the subtropical-tropical ocean between picophytoplankton abundance and ocean properties differed from previous global studies including colder (temperate, subpolar, and polar) and coastal waters. These differences included a lower abundance of Synechococcus populations, significant negative relationships between Prochlorococcus abundance and nutrient concentrations, and positive relationships for picoeukaryotes and no relationship for Synechococcus abundance, and, a moderate response to temperature in the warm waters of the tropical-subtropical open ocean. A model based on temperature increase alone forecasts a general increase in picoautotrophs by year 2100, although minimal for picoeukaryotes, and much more moderate for Synechococcus than previously forecasted. However, a global change model linking the thermal increase with the associated decline in chlorophyll a, and increased underwater solar radiation penetration, projected a decline in the abundance of autotrophic picoplankton. The decline was larger at the surface layer and partially compensated by the increased importance of deep picophytoplankton blooms, especially those of Prochlorococcus. The global change model predicted an increased dominance of Prochlorococcus sp. in the subtropical-tropical ocean with future warming. Our results, based on current patterns of picophytoplankton distribution, help improve existing projections by considering feedbacks affecting picophytoplankton abundance in the future subtropical and tropical ocean, the larger biome on Earth

Nutrient supply does play a role on the structure of marine picophytoplankton communities

Conference communicationThe Margalef´s mandala (1978) is a simplified bottom-up control model that explains how mixing and nutrient concentration determine the composition of marine phytoplankton communities. Due to the difficulties of measuring turbulence in the field, previous attempts to verify this model have applied different proxies for nutrient supply, and very often used interchangeably the terms mixing and stratification. Moreover, because the mandala was conceived before the discovery of smaller phytoplankton groups (picoplankton <2 µm), it describes only the succession of vegetative phases of microplankton. In order to test the applicability of the classical mandala to picoplankton groups, we used a multidisciplinary approach including specifically designed field observations supported by remote sensing, database analyses, and modeling and laboratory chemostat experiments. Simultaneous estimates of nitrate diffusive fluxes, derived from microturbulence observations, and picoplankton abundance collected in more than 200 stations, spanning widely different hydrographic regimes, showed that the contribution of eukaryotes to picoautotrophic biomass increases with nutrient supply, whereas that of picocyanobacteria shows the opposite trend. These findings were supported by laboratory and modeling chemostat experiments that reproduced the competitive dynamics between picoeukaryote sand picocyanobacteria as a function of changing nutrient supply. Our results indicate that nutrient supply controls the distribution of picoplankton functional groups in the ocean, further supporting the model proposed by Margalef.Spanish Governmen

Crecimiento y nutrición en cultivos del alga planctónica marina Nannoclhoris (Chlorophyceae, Chlorococcales)

Memoria de tesina presentada por Luis María Lubián para obtener el título de Licenciado en Ciencias Biológicas por la Universidad de SevillaPeer reviewe

Effect of UV-A and UV-B on diel patterns of growth and metabolic activity in Nannochloris atomus cultures assessed by flow cytometry

7 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of UV-A (320 to 400 nm) and UV-B (280 to 320 nm) radiation on diel patterns of growth and metabolic activity of the marine picoplankter Nannochloris atomus using flow cytometry. N. atomus cells exposed to PAR (400 to 700 nm), PAR+UV-A and PAR+UV-A+UV-B showed clear diel patterns in cell size, chlorophyll fluorescence and metabolic activity, the latter being measured by a fluorescein diacetate-based cell esterase activity assay. For all spectral treatments, patterns increased during the day and decreased during the night, with minima near dawn and maxima near dusk. In addition, cell division was tightly phased to the light dark (L:D) cycle, occurring soon after dark. Exposure to UVR did not alter the synchrony of the parameters measured, but the extent of variation between dawn and dusk was dependent on the spectral conditions. Chlorophyll autofluorescence and metabolic activity decreased to a larger extent when cells were exposed to UV-B than in treatments where UV-B was excluded. In contrast, the cell size was larger under the treatment including UV-A+UV-B than under the treatment including only UV-A. These results show that UV-B damage can decrease growth and metabolic activity in N. atomus without altering the synchronization of the diel patterns, and contribute to a better understanding of phytoplankton behavior under UVR exposures.This work was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture through AMB 97-1021-C02-02 project and fellowship to C.S.Peer reviewe

Fotoinhibición y recuperación de cinco microalgas marinas con clorofila c tras breves exposiciones selectivas a la radiación solar

14 páginas, 3 figuras, 4 tablas.[EN] The differential sensitivity of five chlorophyll c-containing marine microalgae to different components of solar radiation, e.g. photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B), was investigated in an exclusion experiment involving exposure to PAR, PAR+UV-A and PAR+UV-A+UV-B (P-, PA- and PAB-treatment, respectively) for 20 min and subsequent recovery for up to 24 h in dim light. The decrease in the variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm) was used as indicator of photoinhibition. Changes in photosynthetic oxygen production, cell densities and pigment contents were also ascertained. The ratio Fv/Fm decreased in all the algae after exposure, but differences were found between the algae and the treatments. In relation to the inhibition extent, Chaetoceros sp. was the least affected alga in each treatment, while Phaeodactylum tricornutum was the most sensitive. Data of Fv/Fm during recovery fitted well to a sigmoid exponential function, and calculated constants were used to quantify the particular recovery rate of each alga. In general, recovery time did not show a direct relationship with the extent of inhibition. The highest recovery rate was shown by P. tricornutum cells exposed to only PAR, and the lowest by Isochrysis galbana cells exposed to PAB. There were no losses of cell density at the end of the recovery period in relation to the initial cell density in any of the algae. Photosynthetic oxygen production dropped in the five algae in all treatments and showed a similar evolution pattern to Fv/Fm during recovery, except for P. tricornutum and Amphidinium sp. Results of this study point out that capacity for photosynthesis inhibition is specific for each alga and, consequently, it should be taken into consideration for a reliable assessment of differential sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation among diverse marine phytoplanktonic species.[ES] Se investigaron las diferencias de sensibilidad en cinco microalgas marinas conteniendo clorofila c, en relación a los diferentes componentes de la radiación solar, v.g. radiación fotosintéticamente activa (PAR), ultravioleta-A (UV-A) y ultravioleta-B (UV-B), en un experimento con exclusión selectiva de cada componente que incluyó exposición a PAR, PAR+UVA y PAR+UV-A+UV-B (tratamientos P, PA y PAB, respectivamente) durante 20 min y la subsiguiente recuperación en luz tenue por hasta 24 h. Como indicador de fotoinhibición se usó el descenso en el cociente entre fluorescencia variable y fluorescencia máxima de la clorofila (Fv/Fm). También se determinaron los cambios en la producción fotosintética de oxígeno, densidades de células y contenido de pigmentos. Tras la exposición, Fv/Fm disminuyó en todas las algas pero se encontraron diferencias entre las distintas algas y tratamientos. En cuanto al alcance de la inhibición, Chaetoceros sp. fue el alga menos afectada en cada tratamiento, mientras que Phaedactylum tricornutum fue la más sensible. Los datos de Fv/Fm durante el periodo de recuperación se ajustaron bien a una función exponencial sigmoidea, y las constantes calculadas se usaron para cuantificar la velocidad de recuperación de cada alga. En general, el curso temporal de la recuperación no presentó una relación directa con el grado de inhibición. La tasa de recuperación más alta fue la de las células de P. tricornutum expuestas solamente a PAR y, la más baja fue la de las células de Isochrysis galbana expuestas a PAB. En ninguna de las algas hubo pérdidas significativas de densidad de células al final del periodo de recuperación en relación a la densidad inicial. En todos los tratamientos la producción fotosintética de oxígeno decayó en las cinco algas, mostrando un patrón de evolución similar a Fv/Fm durante la recuperación, excepto para P. tricornutum y Amphidinium sp. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que la capacidad de recuperación tras inhibición de la fotosíntesis es específica para cada alga y, consecuentemente, este hecho debería ser tenido en cuenta para una valoración realista del grado de sensibilidad a la radiación ultravioleta entre las diversas especies de fitoplancton marino.Este trabajo fue financiado por el Ministerio de Educación Español a través de la Comisión de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT), proyecto AMB97-1021-CO2-02.Peer reviewe