Responses of Antarctic Iridaea cordata (Rhodophyta) tetraspores exposed to ultraviolet radiation

In Antarctica ozone depletion is highest during spring, coinciding with the reproduction of many seaweed species. Propagules are the life-stage of an alga most susceptible to environmental perturbations. Therefore, fertile thalli of Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory (Rhodophyta) were collected in the eulittoral of King George Island (Antarctica) to examine spore susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In the laboratory, freshly released tetraspores were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400–700 nm), PAR+UV-A (320–700 nm) or PAR+UV-A+UV-B (280–700 nm). Photosynthetic efficiency was measured during 1–8 h of exposure and after 48 h of recovery. Additionally, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and DNA damage were determined. Saturating irradiance of photosynthesis of freshly released tetraspores was 57 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. Exposure to increasing fluence of PAR reduced photosynthetic efficiency. UVR further decreased the photosynthetic efficiencies of the tetraspores but spores were able to recover completely after UVR exposure and 2 days post-cultivation under low PAR. DNA damage was minimal and lesions were effectively repaired under photoreactivating light. Concentrations of the MAAs shinorine and palythine were higher in tetraspores treated with UVR than in spores only exposed to PAR. Generally, the tetraspores show a good UV tolerance. This flexible response of the tetraspores of this species to changing radiation conditions enables the alga to grow along a considerable depth gradient from the sublittoral to the eulittoral where they can be exposed to enhanced UVBR under conditions of stratospheric ozone depletion.     

Photosynthetically active and UV radiation act in an antagonistic way in regulating buoyancy of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (cyanobacterium)

Buoyancy provided by gas vesicles has been suggested to play an important role in regulating vertical distribution and nutrient acquisition in cyanobacteria. However, little is known about how changes in UV radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) would affect the buoyancy. We have shown here that the floatation activity of the economically important cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis (D-0083) decreased with increased photosynthetic rates associated with increased photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), but it decreased less in the presence of UVR, which resulted in inhibitory effects. When the cells were grown under isoenergetic levels of solar PAR or UVR alone, they migrated downward under PAR but maintained buoyant under UVR. The buoyancy regulation of A. platensis depended on the exposed levels of PAR as well as UVR, which affected photosynthesis and growth in an antagonistic way. The buoyancy of A. platensis in water columns is likely to be dependant on diurnal photosynthetic performance regulated by solar radiation, and can hardly be considered as an active strategy to gain more energy during sunrise/sunset or to escape from harmful irradiation during the noon period.     

Effect of solar ultraviolet radiation on growth in the marine macroalga Dictyota dichotoma (Phaeophyceae) at Helgoland and its ecological consequences

At Helgoland, in the North Sea, growth of the high sublittoral brown macroalga Dictyota dichotoma (Hudson) Lamoroux was examined in October (the time of tetraspore release) in an outdoor tank by exposing 2-day-old germlings to four solar radiation treatments achieved with different filter materials or an additional artificial light source: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 395–700 nm), PAR plus ultraviolet (UV)-A (320–700 nm), full solar spectrum, or solar spectrum plus artificial UV radiation (UVR). Based on length measurements over a period of 3 weeks, the growth rate in germlings strongly decreased in conditions with UVR compared to PAR: by 14% under PAR+UV-A, by 31% under the full solar spectrum and by 65% with additional UVR. Although growth rates of germlings under UVR were reduced mainly in the first week, the plants did not regain the size of the untreated plants even after 9 weeks. Regardless of the exposure, no defects in morphology or anatomy including the exposed apical meristem were detected, except for a reduction in cell division rates perhaps due to additional cost for photoprotective or repair mechanisms. Depending on the actual position of D. dichotoma plants in the natural habitat, individuals in high positions receive substantial amounts of the more harmful UV-B while those lower down might only receive UV-A during part of the day, thus the effect of UV-B on the growth of D. dichotoma will depend on its position in the field. The effects of tidal variation of the light climate and the implications of our results for the zonation of D. dichotoma are discussed. Received in revised form: 6 July 2000 Electronic Publication     

Differential responses to UVR by bacterioplankton and phytoplankton from the surface and the base of the mixed layer

SUMMARY 1. We tested the influence of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and shallow stratification on phytoplankton and bacterioplankton from the surface and the base of the mixed layer in two boreal lakes in north-western Ontario, Canada.
2. We measured phytoplankton biomass and production, bacterioplankton production and plankton respiration after transplantation under three solar radiation treatments: ambient radiation (Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) + ultraviolet-A (UVA) + ultraviolet-B (UVB)), minus UVB (PAR + UVA) and PAR only. We repeated this experiment on three occasions in each lake during the summer.
3. Solar stress (measured as reduced growth and photoinhibition) was generally only found in the 'base phytoplankton' (i.e. originating from the base of the mixed layer). No inhibition of photosynthesis by UVB exposure was found in near-surface phytoplankton. On the other hand, production of near-surface bacterioplankton was reduced following a 4-h UVR exposure but had increased after a 48-h exposure to both UVA and UVB compared with the PAR only treatment.
4. Negative effects of UVR on phytoplankton and bacterioplankton were not ubiquitous. We emphasise the importance of conducting experiments repeatedly, particularly those which test the effects of UVR on different community assemblages from different lakes.     

Inhibition of phytoplankton photosynthesis by solar ultraviolet radiation: studies in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

1. Lake Titicaca is a large, high altitude (3810 m a.s.l.) tropical lake (16°S, 68°W) that lies on the border of Bolivia and Perú, receiving high fluxes of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) throughout the year. Our studies were conducted during September of 1997 with the main objective of studying the impact of solar UVR upon phytoplankton photosynthesis.
2. Water samples were taken daily and incubated in situ (down to 14 m depth) under three radiation treatments to study the relative responses to PAR (Photosynthetic Available Radiation, 400–700 nm), UV-A (320–400 nm), and UV-B (280–320 nm) radiation.
3. Photosynthetic inhibition by UVR in surface waters was about 80%, with UV-A accounting for 60% and UV-B for 20%; the inhibition by high levels of PAR was less than 20%. The inhibition due to UVR decreased with depth so that there were no significant differences between treatments at 8.5 m depth.
4. The amount of inhibition per unit energy received by phytoplankton indicates that even though there was a significant inhibition of photosynthesis due to UVR, species in Lake Titicaca seem to be better adapted than species in high latitude environments.
5. The cellular concentration of UV-absorbing compounds, a possible mechanism of photoadaptation, was low in phytoplanktonic species. However, they were abundant in zooplankton, suggesting a high rate of bioaccumulation through the diet.     

Perception of solar UV radiation by plants: photoreceptors and mechanisms

About 95% of the ultraviolet (UV) photons reaching the Earth’s surface are UV-A (315–400 nm) photons. Plant responses to UV-A radiation have been less frequently studied than those to UV-B (280–315 nm) radiation. Most previous studies on UV-A radiation have used an unrealistic balance between UV-A, UV-B, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Consequently, results from these studies are difficult to interpret from an ecological perspective, leaving an important gap in our understanding of the perception of solar UV radiation by plants. Previously, it was assumed UV-A/blue photoreceptors, cryptochromes and phototropins mediated photomorphogenic responses to UV-A radiation and “UV-B photoreceptor” UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) to UV-B radiation. However, our understanding of how UV-A radiation is perceived by plants has recently improved. Experiments using a realistic balance between UV-B, UV-A, and PAR have demonstrated that UVR8 can play a major role in the perception of both UV-B and short-wavelength UV-A (UV-A_sw, 315 to ∼350 nm) radiation. These experiments also showed that UVR8 and cryptochromes jointly regulate gene expression through interactions that alter the relative sensitivity to UV-B, UV-A, and blue wavelengths. Negative feedback loops on the action of these photoreceptors can arise from gene expression, signaling crosstalk, and absorption of UV photons by phenolic metabolites. These interactions explain why exposure to blue light modulates photomorphogenic responses to UV-B and UV-A_sw radiation. Future studies will need to distinguish between short and long wavelengths of UV-A radiation and to consider UVR8’s role as a UV-B/UV-A_sw photoreceptor in sunlight.

In sunlight, UVR8 mediates the perception of both UV-B and short-wavelength UV-A radiation with its sensitivity moderated by blue light perceived through cryptochromes.     

Short- and long-term effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on the red algae Porphyridium cruentum (S. F. Gray) N?geli.

During spring 2002 and fall 2003 we carried out experiment in tropical southern China to determine the short- and long-term effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) on photosynthesis and growth in the unicellular red alga Porphyridium cruentum. During the experimentation, cells of P. cruentum were exposed to three radiation treatments: (a) samples exposed to PAR (400-700 nm) + UV-A (315-400 nm) + UV-B (280-315 nm)(PAB treatment); (b) samples exposed to PAR + UV-A (PA treatment) and, (c) samples exposed only to PAR (P treatment). To assess the short-term impact of UVR as a function of irradiance, we determined photosynthesis versus irradiance (Pvs.E) curves. From these curves the maximum carbon uptake rate (P(max)) and the light saturation parameter (E(k)) were obtained, with values of approximately 12.8-14.4 microg C (microg chl a)(-1) h(-1), and approximately 250 micromol m(-2) s(-1), respectively. A significant UVR effect on assimilation numbers was observed when samples were exposed at irradiances higher than E(k), with samples exposed to full solar radiation having significant less carbon fixation than those exposed only to PAR. Biological weighting functions of P. cruentum were used to evaluate the UVR impact per unit energy received by the cells; the data indicate that the species is as sensitive as natural phytoplankton from the southern China Sea; however, it is much more resistant than Antarctic assemblages. When evaluating the combined effects of mixing speed and UVR, it was seen that samples rotating fast within the upper mixed layer were less inhibited by UVR as compared to those under slow mixing or in fixed samples. Growth of P. cruentum over a week-long experiment was not affected by neither UVR nor UV-A; additionally, low photoinhibition was found at the end as compared to that at the beginning of this experiment. Our results thus indicate that, although on short-term basis P. cruentum is affected by solar UVR, it can acclimate to minimize UVR-induced effects when given enough time.     

Photoregulation of morphological structure and its physiological relevance in the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrospira</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">platensis</Emphasis>

The spiral structure of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (Nordst.) Gomont was previously found to be altered by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm). However, how photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm) and UVR interact in regulating this morphological change remains unknown. Here, we show that the spiral structure of A. platensis (D-0083) was compressed under PAR alone at 30°C, but that at 20°C, the spirals compressed only when exposed to PAR with added UVR, and that UVR alone (the PAR was filtered out) did not tighten the spiral structure, although its presence accelerated morphological regulation by PAR. Their helix pitch decreased linearly as the cells received increased PAR doses, and was reversible when they were transferred back to low PAR levels. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that a 52.0 kDa periplasmic protein was more abundant in tighter filaments, which may have been responsible for the spiral compression. This spiral change together with the increased abundance of the protein made the cells more resistant to high PAR as well as UVR, resulting in a higher photochemical yield.     

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation delays photosynthetic recovery in Arctic kelp zoospores

Seasonal reproduction in some Arctic Laminariales coincides with increased UV-B radiation due to stratospheric ozone depletion and relatively high water temperatures during polar spring. To find out the capacity to cope with different spectral irradiance, the kinetics of photosynthetic recovery was investigated in zoospores of four Arctic species of the order Laminariales, the kelps Saccorhiza dermatodea, Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, and Laminaria saccharina. The physiology of light harvesting, changes in photosynthetic efficiency and kinetics of photosynthetic recovery were measured by in vivo fluorescence changes of Photosystem II (PSII). Saturation irradiance of freshly released spores showed minimal I _k values (photon fluence rate where initial slope intersects horizontal asymptote of the curve) values ranging from 13 to 18 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ among species collected at different depths, confirming that spores are low-light adapted. Exposure to different radiation spectra consisting of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400–700 nm), PAR+UV-A radiation (UV-A; 320–400 nm), and PAR+ UV-A+UV-B radiation (UV-B; 280–320 nm) showed that the cumulative effects of increasing PAR fluence and the additional effect of UV-A and UV-B radiations on photoinhibition of photosynthesis are species specific. After long exposures, Laminaria saccharina was more sensitive to the different light treatments than the other three species investigated. Kinetics of recovery in zoospores showed a fast phase in S. dermatodea, which indicates a reduction of the photoprotective process while a slow phase in L. saccharina indicates recovery from severe photodamage. This first attempt to study photoinhibition and kinetics of recovery in zoospores showed that zoospores are the stage in the life history of seaweeds most susceptible to light stress and that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) effectively delays photosynthetic recovery. The viability of spores is important on the recruitment of the gametophytic and sporophytic life stages. The impact of UVR on the zoospores is related to the vertical depth distribution of the large sporophytes in the field.     

Motility and photosynthetic responses of the green microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis to visible and UV light levels

To test the effects of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on phototaxis and photosynthesis of free swimming microalgae, experiments were performed with Tetraselmis subcordiformis (Wille) Butcher under a solar simulator. In particular, we evaluated the effects of different PAR levels and radiation regimes (i.e., PAR only and PAR+UVR) on those two processes. We found that the cells preferred to move to a particular area (e.g., receiving 100 W m^?2 PAR) with little photochemical suppression or inhibition of carbon fixation. Adding UV-A to high PAR decreased its swimming capacity and photosynthetic capability, and further adding UV-B led to more inhibition. The suppression of the moving capability of T. subcordiformis was reversible but the cells exposed to PAR combined with UVR needed longer time intervals to recover their motility as compared with those irradiated only with PAR. Based on the above results, we postulate that in nature, the motile capability and photosynthesis of free swimming the green microalga might be impaired by enhanced solar UVR. On the other hand, the cells can reduce the damage caused by high irradiances (and even get the optimum light level for photosynthesis) by a behavioral swimming response.     

Effects of solar UV radiation on morphology and photosynthesis of filamentous cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis

To study the impact of solar UV radiation (UVR) (280 to 400 nm) on the filamentous cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, we examined the morphological changes and photosynthetic performance using an indoor-grown strain (which had not been exposed to sunlight for decades) and an outdoor-grown strain (which had been grown under sunlight for decades) while they were cultured with three solar radiation treatments: PAB (photosynthetically active radiation [PAR] plus UVR; 280 to 700 nm), PA (PAR plus UV-A; 320 to 700 nm), and P (PAR only; 400 to 700 nm). Solar UVR broke the spiral filaments of A. platensis exposed to full solar radiation in short-term low-cell-density cultures. This breakage was observed after 2 h for the indoor strain but after 4 to 6 h for the outdoor strain. Filament breakage also occurred in the cultures exposed to PAR alone; however, the extent of breakage was less than that observed for filaments exposed to full solar radiation. The spiral filaments broke and compressed when high-cell-density cultures were exposed to full solar radiation during long-term experiments. When UV-B was screened off, the filaments initially broke, but they elongated and became loosely arranged later (i.e., there were fewer spirals per unit of filament length). When UVR was filtered out, the spiral structure hardly broke or became looser. Photosynthetic O(2) evolution in the presence of UVR was significantly suppressed in the indoor strain compared to the outdoor strain. UVR-induced inhibition increased with exposure time, and it was significantly lower in the outdoor strain. The concentration of UV-absorbing compounds was low in both strains, and there was no significant change in the amount regardless of the radiation treatment, suggesting that these compounds were not effectively used as protection against solar UVR. Self-shading, on the other hand, produced by compression of the spirals over adaptive time scales, seems to play an important role in protecting this species against deleterious UVR. Our findings suggest that the increase in UV-B irradiance due to ozone depletion not only might affect photosynthesis but also might alter the morphological development of filamentous cyanobacteria during acclimation or over adaptive time scales.     

Impact of ultraviolet radiation on cell structure, UV-absorbing compounds, photosynthesis, DNA damage, and germination in zoospores of Arctic Saccorhiza dermatodea

Stratospheric ozone depletion leads to enhanced UV-B radiation. Therefore, the capacity of reproductive cells to cope with different spectral irradiance was investigated in the laboratory. Zoospores of the upper sublittoral kelp Saccorhiza dermatodea were exposed to varying fluence of spectral irradiance consisting of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm; =P), PAR+UV-A radiation (UV-A, 320-400 nm; =PA), and PAR+UV-A+UV-B radiation (UV-B, 280-320 nm; =PAB). Structural changes, localization of phlorotannin-containing physodes, accumulation of UV-absorbing phlorotannins, and physiological responses of zoospores were measured after exposure treatments as well as after 2-6 d recovery in dim white light (8 mumol photon m(-2) s(-1)). Physodes increased in size under PAB treatment. Extrusion of phlorotannins into the medium and accumulation of physodes was induced not only under UVR treatment but also under PAR. UV-B radiation caused photodestruction indicated by a loss of pigmentation. Photosynthetic efficiency of spores was photoinhibited after 8 h exposure to 22 and 30 mumol photon m(-2) s(-1) of PAR, while supplement of UVR had a significant additional effect on photoinhibition. A relatively low recovery of photosystem II function was observed after 2 d recovery in spores exposed to 1.7 x 10(4) J m(-2) of UV-B, with a germination rate of only 49% of P treatment after 6 d recovery. The amount of UV-B-induced DNA damage measured as cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) increased with the biologically effective UV-B dose (BED(DNA)). Significant removal of CPDs indicating repair of DNA damage was observed after 2 d in low white light. The protective function of phlorotannins has restricted efficiency for a single cell. Within a plume of zoospores, however, each cell can buffer each other and protect the lower layer of spores from excessive radiation. Exudation of phlorotannins into the water can also reduce the impact of UV-B radiation on UV-sensitive spores. The results of this study showed that the impact of UVR on reproductive cells can be mitigated by protective and repair mechanisms.     

Effects of Solar UV Radiation on Morphology and Photosynthesis of Filamentous Cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis

To study the impact of solar UV radiation (UVR) (280 to 400 nm) on the filamentous cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, we examined the morphological changes and photosynthetic performance using an indoor-grown strain (which had not been exposed to sunlight for decades) and an outdoor-grown strain (which had been grown under sunlight for decades) while they were cultured with three solar radiation treatments: PAB (photosynthetically active radiation [PAR] plus UVR; 280 to 700 nm), PA (PAR plus UV-A; 320 to 700 nm), and P (PAR only; 400 to 700 nm). Solar UVR broke the spiral filaments of A. platensis exposed to full solar radiation in short-term low-cell-density cultures. This breakage was observed after 2 h for the indoor strain but after 4 to 6 h for the outdoor strain. Filament breakage also occurred in the cultures exposed to PAR alone; however, the extent of breakage was less than that observed for filaments exposed to full solar radiation. The spiral filaments broke and compressed when high-cell-density cultures were exposed to full solar radiation during long-term experiments. When UV-B was screened off, the filaments initially broke, but they elongated and became loosely arranged later (i.e., there were fewer spirals per unit of filament length). When UVR was filtered out, the spiral structure hardly broke or became looser. Photosynthetic O₂ evolution in the presence of UVR was significantly suppressed in the indoor strain compared to the outdoor strain. UVR-induced inhibition increased with exposure time, and it was significantly lower in the outdoor strain. The concentration of UV-absorbing compounds was low in both strains, and there was no significant change in the amount regardless of the radiation treatment, suggesting that these compounds were not effectively used as protection against solar UVR. Self-shading, on the other hand, produced by compression of the spirals over adaptive time scales, seems to play an important role in protecting this species against deleterious UVR. Our findings suggest that the increase in UV-B irradiance due to ozone depletion not only might affect photosynthesis but also might alter the morphological development of filamentous cyanobacteria during acclimation or over adaptive time scales.     

Morphological and physiological responses of bean plants to supplemental UV radiation in a Mediterranean climate

During the last few decades many experiments have been performed to evaluate the responses of plants to enhanced solar UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) that may occur because of stratospheric ozone depletion; most of them were performed in controlled environment conditions where plants were exposed to low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels and high UV-B irradiance. Since environmental radiative regimes can play a role in the response of plants to UV-B enhancement, it appears doubtful whether it is valid to extrapolate the results from these experiments to plants grown in natural conditions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects on physiology and morphology of a bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar Nano Bobis, exposed to supplemental UV radiation in the open-air. UV-B radiation was supplied by fluorescent lamps to simulate a 20% stratospheric ozone reduction. Three groups of plants were grown: control (no supplemental UV), UV-A treatment (supplementation in the UV-A band) and UV-B treatment (supplemental UV-B and UV-A radiation). Each group was replicated three times. After 33 days of treatment plants grown under UV-B treatment had lower biomass, leaf area and reduced leaf elongation compared to UV-A treatment. No significant differences were detected in photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds among the three groups of plants. However, plants exposed to UV-A treatment showed a sort of 'stimulation' of their growth when compared to the control. The results of this experiment showed that plants may be sensitive to UV-A radiation, thus it is difficult to evaluate the specific effects of UV-B (280–320 nm) radiation from fluorescent lamps and it is important to choose the appropriate control. Environmental conditions strongly affect plant response to UV radiation so further field studies are necessary to assess the interaction between UV-B exposure and meteorological variability.     

产毒与不产毒铜绿微囊藻对模拟酸雨及紫外辐射的生理响应

为了比较研究酸雨与紫外辐射对淡水水体常见藻华蓝藻的生理学影响,选取铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)产毒(FACHB-905)与不产毒(FACHB-469)株系作为实验材料,通过人工模拟酸雨,研究了不同p H处理后2藻株的光合生理变化以及对紫外辐射的敏感性的异同。实验设置3个p H梯度,p H7.10为对照组(正常培养基培养的藻体),两模拟酸雨处理组(p H5.65和p H4.50);两种辐射处理,可见光处理(PAR)以及全波长辐射处理(PAB)。研究结果表明,905藻株细胞粒径在各p H处理下都要显著高于469藻株,模拟酸雨处理显著降低了两藻株细胞的平均粒径及体积,但叶绿素含量显著提高;酸雨处理同时也引起细胞死亡率的增加,表现为藻体有效光化学效率显著降低,生长速率显著受到抑制,低p H下呈负增长,且这种抑制程度在469下更为显著。高的可见光以及紫外辐射处理,使两株系有效光化学效率随p H的降低而呈降低趋势,其中469藻株降低至更低的水平,且高光辐射以及紫外诱导的抑制率要显著高于905藻体,这可能与469藻株较低的光保护色素有关(较低的类胡萝卜素以及紫外吸收物质)。在未来全球变化背景下,不同种类的浮游植物对环境变化的响应及适应能力不同,可改变水体的群落结构和种群丰度,铜绿微囊藻905较469较强的耐受酸雨以及紫外辐射的能力,可能会使该株系在竞争力上占据优势。     

Role of dissolved organic carbon in the attenuation of photosynthetically active and ultraviolet radiation in Adirondack lakes

1. We surveyed eighty-five lakes located in the Adirondack Mountain Region of New York State, U.S.A., to characterize the attenuation of photosynthetically active (PAR) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in relation to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and pH. Attenuation of PAR was quantified in situ . Attenuation was also inferred by measuring the light absorption of filtered lake water samples at wavelengths (300, 340 and 440 nm) representing UV-B, UV-A and PAR.
2. Substantial variation in transparency was observed among lakes in this region. Attenuation depths ( z _1%) for PAR ranged from 0.5 to greater than 20 m, while inferred values for UV-B and UV-A ranged from a few centimetres to > 5 m. Median values of UV-A penetration (0.75 m) and UV-B penetration (0.45 m) corresponded to 11% (UV-A) and 6% (UV-B) of lake maximum depth.
3. Much of the variation in PAR and UVR attenuation was explained by differences in lake DOC. Univariate power models based solely on DOC accounted for 85% (PAR), 90% (UV-A) and 91% (UV-B) of the variation in absorption.
4. Attenuation and absorption coefficients were generally lower for recently acidified lakes compared to acidic and circumneutral lakes which have not undergone recent acidification. However, differences among these three groups of lakes were not statistically significant. Our results suggest that the effects of acidification on the optical properties of a regional population of lakes, even in an area experiencing widespread acidification, are relatively subtle in comparison with other factors contributing to inter-lake variability.
5. The presence of near-shore wetlands is probably a key factor influencing regional variability in DOC and light climate among Adirondack lakes. Temporal variability in climatic factors influencing wetland DOC production and export may mask more subtle influences on lake DOC associated with anthropogenic acidification.     

UVR defense mechanisms in eurytopic and invasive Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

The invasive success of Gracilaria vermiculophylla has been attributed to its wide tolerance range to different abiotic factors, but its response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is yet to be investigated. In the laboratory, carpospores and vegetative thalli of an Atlantic population were exposed to different radiation treatments consisting of high PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) only (P), PAR+UV-A (PA) and PAR+UV-A+UV-B (PAB). Photosynthesis of carpospores was photoinhibited under different radiation treatments but photosystem II (PSII) function was restored after 12 h under dim white light. Growth of vegetative thalli was significantly higher under radiation supplemented with UVR. Decrease in chlorophyll a (Chl a) under daily continuous 16-h exposure to 300 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) of PAR suggests preventive accumulation of excited chlorophyll molecules within the antennae to minimize the generation of dangerous reactive oxygen species. Moreover, an increase in total carotenoids and xanthophyll cycle pigments (i.e. violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin) further suggests effective photoprotection under UVR. The presence of the ketocarotenoid β-cryptoxanthin also indicates protection against UVR and oxidative stress. The initial concentration of total mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in freshly-released spores increased approximately four times after 8-h laboratory radiation treatments. On the other hand, initial specific MAAs in vegetative thalli changed in composition after 7-day exposure to laboratory radiation conditions without affecting the total concentration. The above responses suggest that G. vermiculophylla have multiple UVR defense mechanisms to cope with the dynamic variation in light quantity and quality encountered in its habitat. Beside being eurytopic, the UVR photoprotective mechanisms likely contribute to the current invasive success of the species in shallow lagoons and estuaries exposed to high solar radiation.     

Sublethal stress: Impact of solar UV radiation on protein synthesis in the copepod Acartia tonsa

Aquatic organisms respond to environmental challenges such as thermal stress with the rapid induction of highly conserved polypeptides known as stress proteins or heat shock proteins (Hsps). Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) is an important environmental stressor in marine ecosystems. Here, we present results of experiments conducted with the marine copepod Acartia tonsa to follow the de novo protein synthesis and measure the level of constitutive and inducible isoforms of the Hsp70 gene family of stress proteins after UV exposure. Animals were collected from Tampa Bay, Florida (USA), and exposed to solar radiation (full spectrum), UV-A (320-400 nm) and PAR (400-700 nm), or PAR only, for periods of 0.5-4 h. Controls were kept in the dark. Protein synthesis was robust under all treatments when the copepods were exposed to low solar radiation intensities. Conversely, high solar radiation intensities (both UV-B and UV-A) caused an overall suppression in the protein synthesis of the copepods with no detectable induction of stress-inducible isoforms of Hsps. Immunochemical assays (western blotting) showed that UVR increased levels (3.5-4-fold increase compared to the dark control) of the constitutively expressed 70 kDa heat-shock (Hsc70) protein in A. tonsa, without indication of inducible isoform upregulation.     

Row orientation effect on UV-B,UV-A and PAR solar irradiation components in vineyards at Tuscany,Italy

Besides playing an essential role in plant photosynthesis, solar radiation is also involved in many other important biological processes. In particular, it has been demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation plays a relevant role in grapevines (Vitis vinifera) in the production of certain important chemical compounds directly responsible for yield and wine quality. Moreover, the exposure to UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) can affect plant–disease interaction by influencing the behaviour of both pathogen and host. The main objective of this research was to characterise the solar radiative regime of a vineyard, in terms of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and UV components. In this analysis, solar spectral UV irradiance components, broadband UV (280–400 nm), spectral UV-B and UV-A (320–400 nm), the biological effective UVBE, as well as the PAR (400–700 nm) component, were all considered. The diurnal patterns of these quantities and the UV-B/PAR and UV-B/UV-A ratios were analysed to investigate the effect of row orientation of the vineyard in combination with solar azimuth and elevation angles. The distribution of PAR and UV irradiance at various heights of the vertical sides of the rows was also studied. The results showed that the highest portion of plants received higher levels of daily radiation, especially the UV-B component. Row orientation of the vines had a pronounced effect on the global PAR received by the two sides of the rows and, to a lesser extent, UV-A and UV-B. When only the diffused component was considered, this geometrical effect was greatly attenuated. UV-B/PAR and UV-A/PAR ratios were also affected, with potential consequences on physiological processes. Because of the high diffusive capacity of the UV-B radiation, the UV-B/PAR ratio was significantly lower on the plant portions exposed to full sunlight than on those in the shade.     

Influence of solar ultraviolet radiation on photosynthesis and motility of marine phytoplankton

Abstract: The effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) on carbon uptake, oxygen evolution and motility of marine phytoplankton were investigated in coastal waters at Kristineberg Marine Research Station on the west coast of Sweden (58° 30'N, 11° 30'E). The mean irradiances at noon above the water surface during the investigation period were: photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm) 1670 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; ultraviolet-A radiation (UV-A, 320–400 nm) 35.9 W m⁻² and ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280–320 nm) 1.7 W m⁻². UV-B radiation was much more attenuated with depth in the water column than were PAR and UV-A radiation. UV-B radiation could not be detected at depths greater than 100–150 cm. Inhibition of carbon uptake by UV-A and UV-B in natural phytoplankton populations was greatest at 50 cm depth and the effects of UV-B were greater than those of UV-A. At depths greater than 50 cm there was almost no effect of ultraviolet radiation on carbon uptake. PAR, UV-A and UV-B decreased oxygen evolution by the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum . Inhibition of oxygen evolution was greater after 4 h than 2 h but it was not possible to distinguish the negative effects of the different light regimes. The motility of P. minimum was not affected by PAR, UV-A and UV-B. The importance of exposure of phytoplankton to different light regimes before being exposed to natural solar radiation is discussed.