Photosynthetica 2017, 55(3):501-509 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0670-3

Atomic ratio of N to P influences the impact of UV irradiance on photosynthesis and growth in a marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense

W.C. Guan1,*, L. Li1
1 Department of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

The effects of the atomic ratio of N to P (N:P) on the response of Alexandrium tamarense to UV radiation (UVR) were investigated in this study. Artificial sea water of 5 different N:P ratios for indoor culture and with 3 different N:P ratios for outdoor culture were used for a period of 14 and 9 d, respectively. The short-term response of cells to UVR was analyzed using a fluorometer. Cells that acclimated to nutrient conditions at the Redfield value (16:1) showed the fastest growth rate and highest pigment concentrations in both indoor and outdoor conditions, compared to those acclimated to the non-Redfield conditions. Moreover, these physiological parameters were functions of the N:P ratio according to a two-order equation (y = a + bx + cx2, R2>0.95). The fluorescence data of indoor cultures showed that A. tamarense grown at 16:1 (N:P) exhibited the greatest ratio of repair rate/damage rate (r/k) and minimum level of UVR-induced inhibition. among those grown at all of the N:P ratios following UVR exposure. Outdoor cultures had the same patterns of fluorescence as indoor cultures, but the less UVR-induced inhibitions were detected compared the former with the latter. The following three parameters, the r/k, level of inhibition caused by the two radiation treatments following 60 min of exposure (PAR and PAB, respectively), and level of UVR-induced inhibition, were also functions of the N:P ratio according to the two-order equation (R2>0.96). Further, there was a negative correlation between UVR-induced inhibition and the r/k ratio. In summary, the Redfield value (16:1) was the optimal nutrient stoichiometry for the protection of A. tamarense against the deleterious effects of UVR. Results were not impacted by previous light history experienced by cells.

Keywords: algal bloom; effective photochemical efficiency; nutrient stoichiometry; solar ultraviolet radiation

Received: January 13, 2016; Accepted: August 30, 2016; Published: September 1, 2017Show citation

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Guan, W.C., & Li, L. (2017). Atomic ratio of N to P influences the impact of UV irradiance on photosynthesis and growth in a marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense. Photosynthetica, 55(3), 501-509. doi: 10.1007/s11099-016-0670-3.
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