Inhibition of growth in two dinoflagellates by rapid changes in external pH

Abstract

The effect of external pH and high CO2 were investigated on growth and photosynthesis in two marine dinoflagellates, Amphidinium carterae Hulburt and Heterocapsa oceanica Stein. Exposure of both species to high CO2 caused a rapid decrease in external pH from 8 to 7 and a complete suppression of growth. Both species were able to grow at pH 7 but the Vmax of photosynthesis was significantly lower than in cells grown at pH 8. There was also a significant reduction in the photosynthetic rate of both species after being on high CO2 for 6 h and a complete loss after 24 h. The internal pH of both species was determined by the distribution of [2-14C]5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione between the cells and the surrounding medium. As the external pH was lowered from 8 to 7, there was a decrease in the internal pH of A. carterae cells, grown at pH 8.0, from 7.92 to 7.04 and in H. oceanica from 8.14 to 7.22. When placed on high CO2, the internal pH of A. carterae further declined to 6.90 and to 7.15. in H. oceanica. This inability to maintain internal pH probably caused the suppression of growth and loss of photosynthetic capacity of high-CO2 cells.Key words: Amphidinium carterae, CO2-concentrating mechanism, dinoflagellates, external pH, Heterocapsa oceanica, internal pH.