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PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE BIOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF PORPHYRA : PHOTOSYNTHETIC PRODUCTION BY BLADES AND CONCHOCELIS
Author(s) -
Kraemer G.P.,
Yarish C.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.00001-116.x
Subject(s) - porphyra , biology , mariculture , photosynthesis , botany , gametophyte , spore , algae , chlorophyll , aquaculture , pollen , fishery , fish <actinopterygii>
Given their rapid growth and nutrient assimilation rates, Porphyra spp. are good candidates for bioremediation. The production potential of two northeast U.S. Porphyra species currently in culture ( P. purpurea and P. umbilicalis ) was evaluated by measuring rates of photosynthesis (as O 2 evolution) of samples grown at 20° C. Gametophytes of P. umbilicalis photosynthesized at rates that were 80% higher than those of P. purpurea over 5–20° C at both sub‐saturating and saturating irradiances (37 and 289 μmol photons m −2 s −1 ). Porphyra umbilicalis was both more efficient at low irradiances (higher alpha) and had a higher P max than did P. purpurea (23.0 vs. 15.6 μmol O 2 g −1 DW min −1 ), suggesting that P. umbilicalis is a better choice for mass culture where self‐shading may be severe. The photosynthesis‐irradiance relationship for the Conchocelis stage of P. purpurea was also examined. Tufts of filaments, grown at 10, 15, and 20° C, were assayed at growth temperatures at irradiances ranging from 0–315 μmol photons m −2 s −1 . Tufts were slightly more productive at 15° than at 10° C, but only ca. 4–6% as productive as gametophytes. Maximum rates of net photosynthesis were reduced by 66–74% in tufts grown at 20° C (only about 2% of gametophytes). The Conchocelis stage, however, need not limit mariculture operations; once Conchocelis cultures are established, they can be maintained over the long‐term as ready sources of spores for net seeding.