Fluorescence characteristics of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

The fluorescence characteristics of the cyanobacteria Synechocystisaquatilis Sauv., Microcystis firma (Breb. et Lenorm.) Schmidleand Synechococcus leopoliensis (Racib.) Kom. and the green algaScenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Breb. were examined. In thethree cyanobacteria, phycocyanin is the main accessory pigment.Phycoerythrin is not present in our investigated strains ofcyanobacteria. The highest excitation of the chlorophyll a (Chla) fluorescence of cyanobacteria resulted from light with wavelengthsof 620–630 nm. A definite ‘Kautsky’ effectis also evident at this wavelength. However, excitation withblue light (420–520 nm) produced only very slight fluorescence.The Kautsky effect is not evident at these wavelengths, evenat high photon flux densities. For Scenedesmus, fluorescencecharacteristics typical of green algae were found. The fluorescenceexcitation of cyanobacteria at 620 nm corresponds to a photosynthesispeak in the action spectrum measured in terms of O₂ production.The results underline the necessity of fluorescence measurementsat several wavelengths whenever mixed populations are involved.Such measurements also present possibilities for more accurateestimation of biomass and potential photosynthetic productionin mixed populations.