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- Carr, Herman, 1971-
(författare)
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Energy balance during active carbon uptake and at excess irradiance in three marine macrophytes
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The marine environment is an important habitat where many processes occur that affect life conditions on earth. Macrophytes and planktonic oxygen evolvers are an essential component for almost all marine life forms and have developed in an environment that differs largely from the terrestrial habitats. For instance in regards to available ionic forms of inorganic carbon and moving water masses which affects incoming light. It is therefore relevant to examine the physiology of algae and marine plants to identify their unique features and differences to terrestrial plants that once orginated from algae. By using chlorophyll fluorescence measurements alone or combined with measurements of oxygen evolution and protein analysis photosynthetic strategies to withstand excess energy have been evaluated under a variety of experimental conditions. Furthermore metabolic pathways involved in energy transfer from photosynthesis to the site of active carbon uptake have been examined. The following was found:* The ratio between photosynthetic gross oxygen evolution and estimated electron transport rate varies in Ulva spp depending on previous history of light and dark exposures. To obtain P/I curves with ratios close to the theoretical 1:4 value, measurements should be performed on separate pieces of tissue at each irradiance level. * Under carbon deficient conditions, the estimated ETR is larger than the gross oxygen evolution, which may be due to the so called “water-water” cycle and absorption changes in PSII which are not corrected for in the calculation of ETR. * Upon exposure to high irradiances (1500 µmol photons m-2s-1) the PSII core protein D1 is broken down with a concomittant reduction in ETR in Ulva spp. With the decrease in electron transport between PSII and PSI the acidification of the lumen decreases and the ability to dissipate excess energy as heat. At prolonged irradiance, an acclimation occurs with a lesser or no breakdown of D1 indicating an additional photo-protective strategy other than heat dissipation.* Laminaria saccharina is dependent on mitochondrial respiration for active utilization of bicarbonate. By extruding protons outside the plasmalemma an acidification takes place that favors the conversion of bicarbonate into carbon dioxide that then can diffuse in to the cell. These proton pumps are driven by ATP supplied to a large degree from mitochondria, likely through the reductant NADPH produced photochemically. * The marine angiosperm Zostera marina is dependent on mitochondrial respiration for utilization of bicarbonate in a manner similar to that in Laminaria saccharina . However, the water-water cycle may supply additional ATP to the proton pumps in Zostera marina. Both species exhibit a lag-phase at the onset of illumination after a dark incubation period and at least part of this lag-phase is due to a lag in an activation of mitochondrial supported bicarbonate utilization. It is clear that the marine environment holds complex plant and algae species and much is still to discover about the oxygen evolvers that grow beneath the water surface.
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| 2. |
- Mamboya, Florence Alex, 1971-
(författare)
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Heavy metal contamination and toxicity : Studies of Macroalgae from the Tanzanian Coast
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Concentrations of various metals are elevated above background levels in several intertidal areas along the Tanzanian coasts. However, there is little available information concerning the toxicity of these metals and how the uptake of these metals by bioindicators are influenced by external factors, such as heavy rains and increased coastal eutrophication, which tend to fluctuate.The present study focused on the uptake and toxicity of Cu and Zn in two common macroalgal species, Padina gymnospora (Phaeophyta) and Ulva reticulata (Chlorophyta). Laboratory studies were performed where metal content, growth (DGR), maximal quantum yields (Fv/Fm) and protein expression patterns (in Ulva) were measured as a response to exposure to Cu and Zn. The levels of metals accumulated in algal tissues correlated well to exposure concentrations and the longer the exposure time, the greater the uptake. However, an increased nutrient load (tested on Padina) or dilution of the seawater (tested on Ulva) affected both uptake of metals and their toxic effects. Here, DGR was more affected than Fv/Fm, suggesting DGR to be the more sensitive indicator of Cu and Zn toxicity. As shown by 2-D gel electrophoresis, more than ten proteins were up-regulated in U. reticulata after being exposed to Cu (1μg/L), while at higher concentrations (10 and 100 μg/L) of Cu numerous proteins were down-regulated.P. gymnospora was also used as a bioindicator to monitor long-term (1994–2005) and seasonal in-year variations in heavy metal concentrations in the Zanzibar Channel. No clear overall trends were revealed, but analysis of the combined dataset clearly pinpointed the most contaminated sites. It was concluded that seasonal and long-term variations, as well as environmental conditions need to be taken into consideration when using macroalgae as bioindicators.
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| 3. |
- Semesi, Immaculate Sware, 1975-
(författare)
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Seawater pH as a Controlling Factor in Macroalgal Calcification and Photosynthesis
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Biological calcification and photosynthesis are important processes with a great influence on both structure and function of oceanic ecosystems. The pH of the seawater has a strong influence on both these processes and therefore the impacts of different pH levels on calcareous macroalgae were investigated in laboratory and field experiments at Chwaka and Fumba Bays in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The levels of pH were manipulated, first in the laboratory by adding HCl, NaOH or by bubbling seawater with CO2 enriched air. Secondly, pH was allowed to fluctuate naturally as a consequence of marine photosynthetic carbon uptake or release through respiration by mussels. The effects on both photosynthesis and calcification were then analyzed on a seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii), and the calcareous red and green algae Mesophyllum sp., Hydrolithon sp., Amphiroa fragilissima and Halimeda renschii, as well as on the mussel Pinna muricata. The laboratory studies revealed a significant decrease in calcification rates in Hydrolithon sp. with decreasing pH, while photosynthesis showed an opposite trend. Also, increased dissolved CO2 lowered pH from 8.1 to 7.8 and caused a ~20% decline in calcification rates. In the field, seagrasses raised pH to ~9, increasing calcification rates significantly in the calcareous algae while photosynthetic rates showed no significant differences with changes in pH expect in Mesophyllum sp., in which rates increased at elevated pH caused by the presence of seagrasses. Conversely, seagrass photosynthesis increased significantly in the presence of mussels. Based on these findings, we conclude that pH is important in shaping biological processes that determines ecological interactions within shallow tidal areas by modifying seawater carbon composition and, thus, influencing calcification and photosynthesis processes.
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