Photosynthetic use of inorganic carbon in deep-water kelps from the Strait of Gibraltar

Temperature sensitivity of detrital photosynthesis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Kelp forests are increasingly considered blue carbon habitats for ocean-based biological carbon dioxide removal, but knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of their carbon cycle. Of particular interest is the remineralization of detritus, which can remain photosynthetically active. Here, we study a widespread, thermotolerant kelp (Ecklonia radiata) to explore detrital photosynthesis as a mechanism underlying temperature and light as two key drivers of remineralization.

METHODS

We used meta-analysis to constrain the thermal optimum (Topt) of E. radiata. Temperature and light were subsequently controlled over a 119-day ex situ decomposition experiment. Flow-through experimental tanks were kept in darkness at 15 °C or under a subcompensating maximal irradiance of 8 µmol photons m-2 s-1 at 15, 20 or 25 °C. Photosynthesis of laterals (analogues to leaves) was estimated using closed-chamber oxygen evolution in darkness and under a saturating irradiance of 420 µmol photons m-2 s-1.

KEY RESULTS

T opt of E. radiata is 18 °C across performance variables (photosynthesis, growth, abundance, size, mass and fertility), life stages (gametophyte and sporophyte) and populations. Our models predict that a temperature of >15 °C reduces the potential for E. radiata detritus to be photosynthetically viable, hence detrital Topt ≤ 15 °C. Detritus is viable under subcompensating irradiance, where it performs better than in darkness. Comparison of net and gross photosynthesis indicates that elevated temperature primarily decreases detrital photosynthesis, whereas darkness primarily increases detrital respiration compared with optimal experimental conditions, in which detrital photosynthesis can persist for ≥119 days.

CONCLUSIONS

T opt of kelp detritus is ≥3 °C colder than that of the intact plant. Given that E. radiata is one of the most temperature-tolerant kelps, this suggests that photosynthesis is generally more thermosensitive in the detrital phase, which partly explains the enhancing effect of temperature on remineralization. In contrast to darkness, even subcompensating irradiance maintains detrital viability, elucidating the accelerating effect of depth and its concomitant light reduction on remineralization to some extent. Detrital photosynthesis is a meaningful mechanism underlying at least two drivers of remineralization, even below the photoenvironment inhabited by the attached alga.

Importance of controlling pH-depended dissolved inorganic carbon to prevent algal bloom outbreaks

This study investigated effects of pH-depended inorganic carbon (IC) species and pH on algal growth in the sewage simulation system, and fruitfully discussed the relationships among IC, pH and algal growth by the Monod kinetics. Results showed HCO3(-) significantly increased algal growth by 3.17-6.52 times than that of CO3(2-) and/or glucose when the value of pH was in the range of 8.0-9.5, and also the preferentially utilized indicated by the affinity coefficient (Kp) of HCO3(-), CO3(2-) and glucose (0.17, 15.14 and 31.22, respectively). Meanwhile, the same pH range facilitated HCO3(-) to become a dominated species (e.g., 48.80-93.19% of total IC). More importantly, good linear correlations pairwise existed among pH, IC species and algae growth. These results suggested pH plays a critical role in regulation of IC species and algae growth, which would be an efficient method to control the IC discharge from sewage effluents and weaken bloom outbreak.