The effect of ultraviolet radiation on photosynthesis and ultraviolet‐absorbing substances in the endemic Arctic macroalga Devaleraea ramentacea (Rhodophyta)

In field studies conducted at the Kongsfjord (Spitsbergen), the effect of filtered natural radiation conditions (solar without ulraviolet [UV]‐A+UV‐B, solar without UV‐B, solar) on photosynthesis and the metabolism of UV‐absorbing mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) in the marine red alga Devaleraea ramentacea have been studied. While solar treatment without UV‐A+UV‐B did not affect photosynthesis during the course of a day, solar without UV‐B and the full solar spectrum led to a strong inhibition. However, after offset of the various radiation conditions, all algae fully recovered. Isolates collected from different depths were exposed in the laboratory to artificial fluence rates of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), PAR+UV‐A, and PAR+UV‐A+UV‐B. The photosynthetic capacity was affected in accordance with the original sampling depth, i.e. shallow‐water isolates were more resistant than algae from deeper waters, indicating that D. ramentacea is able to acclimate to changes in irradiance. Seven different UV‐absorbing MAAs were detected in this alga, namely mycosporine‐glycine, shinorine, porphyra‐334, palythine, asterina‐330, palythinol, and palythene. The total amount of MAAs continuously decreased with increasing collecting depth when sampled in mid June, and algae taken in late August from the same depths contained on average 30–45% higher MAA concentrations, indicating a seasonal effect as well. The presence of increasing MAA contents with decreasing depth correlated with a more insensitive photosynthetic capacity under both UV‐A and UV‐B treatments. Populations of D. ramentacea collected from 1 m depth, with one fully exposed to solar radiation and the other growing protected as understorey vegetation underneath the kelp Laminaria saccharina , exhibited quantitatively different MAA compositions in the apices. The exposed seaweeds contained 2.5‐fold higher MAA values compared with the more shaded algae. Moreover, the exposed isolates showed a strong tissue gradient in MAAs, pigments, and proteins. The green apices contained 5‐fold higher MAA contents than the red bases. Transplantation of D. ramentacea from 2 m depth to the surface induced the formation and accumulation of MAAs after 1 week exposure to the full solar spectrum. Control samples which were treated with the solar spectrum without UV‐A+B or with solar without UV‐B showed unchanged MAA contents, indicating a strong UV‐B effect on MAA metabolism. All data well supported the suggested physiological function of MAAs as natural UV sunscreens in macroalgae.