Photosynthetic responses of <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> to UV radiation and elevated temperature: roles of calcified coccoliths

• Main Authors: E. W. Helbling, V. E. Villafañe, K. Xu, K. Gao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-06-01
• Series: Biogeosciences
• Online Access: http://www.biogeosciences.net/8/1441/2011/bg-8-1441-2011.pdf

Changes in calcification of coccolithophores may affect their photosynthetic responses to both, ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) and temperature. We operated semi-continuous cultures of <i>Emiliania huxleyi</i> (strain CS-369) at reduced (0.1 mM, LCa) and ambient (10 mM, HCa) Ca²⁺ concentrations and, after 148 generations, we exposed cells to six radiation treatments (>280, >295, >305, >320, >350 and >395 nm by using Schott filters) and two temperatures (20 and 25 °C) to examine photosynthesis and calcification responses. Overall, our study demonstrated that: (1) decreased calcification resulted in a down regulation of photoprotective mechanisms (i.e., as estimated via non-photochemical quenching, NPQ), pigments contents and photosynthetic carbon fixation; (2) calcification (<i>C</i>) and photosynthesis (<i>P</i>) (as well as their ratio) have different responses related to UVR with cells grown under the high Ca²⁺ concentration being more resistant to UVR than those grown under the low Ca²⁺ level; (3) elevated temperature increased photosynthesis and calcification of <i>E. huxleyi</i> grown at high Ca²⁺ concentrations whereas decreased both processes in low Ca²⁺ grown cells. Therefore, a decrease in calcification rates in <i>E. huxleyi</i> is expected to decrease photosynthesis rates, resulting in a negative feedback that further reduces calcification.