Estimation of phytoplankton photosynthesis using a fluorescence induction technique

An improved method for estimation of phytoplankton photosynthesiswas developed using in-vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence, andwas tested with cultured phytoplankton. The method is basedon a kinetic analysis of the fluorescence induction with andwithout DCMU. Photosynthetic rates were derived from, (i) measurementof fluorescence induction due to the reduction of Q, the primaryelectron acceptor for the photoreaction of photosystem II, and(ii) estimation of Q present in the water sample and of therate of Q reduction. ^*This paper is the result of a study made at the Group for AquaticPrimary Productivity (GAP), Second International Workshop heldat the National Oceanographic Institute, Haifa, Israel in April–May1984.