Oxygen Inhibition of Photosynthetic Oxygen Evolution in Marine Plants

Abstract

The effect of oxygen concentration on oxygen exchange in six species of the Chlorophyta, one of the Cyanophyta, one of the Rhodophyta, three of the Phaeophyta, zooxanthellae from Tridacna maxima (clam) and Pocillopora damicornis (coral), and a marine angiosperm was investigated with a polaro- graphic oxygen electrode. The rate of photosynthesis in air-saturated sea water ranged from 14 to 248 micromoles of oxygen evolved per hour per milligram of chlorophyll. Photosynthesis was inhibited by 15-85% in sea water adjusted to between 65 and 90% of oxygen saturation. A post- illumination burst of oxygen uptake was observed on darkening and the size of this burst was in- fluenced by oxygen concentration. Steady-state rates of oxygen uptake in the dark were enhanced at higher oxygen tensions. The likelihood that the dissolved oxygen content of sea water may regulate the productivity of reef communities is discussed.