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PHOTOSYNTHESIS BY AQUATIC PLANTS: EFFECTS OF UNSTIRRED LAYERS IN RELATION TO ASSIMILATION OF CO 2 AND HCO 3 − AND TO CARBON ISOTOPIC DISCRIMINATION
Author(s) -
SMITH F. A.,
WALKER N. A.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1980.tb00785.x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , assimilation (phonology) , limiting , carbon assimilation , chemistry , environmental chemistry , botany , biology , mechanical engineering , engineering , linguistics , philosophy
S ummary We review and reassess experimental evidence which indicates that the unstirred layers of solution bathing aquatic plant cells or organs represent a major factor limiting their rate of photosynthesis under natural conditions. Unstirred layers may also limit membrane transport of HCO 3 − where this occurs. Some authors have suggested that aquatic plants carry out C 4 photosynthesis and cite in support measurements of discrimination between 13 C and 12 C. We propose that this discrimination can also be a manifestation of the presence of unstirred layers or membrane transport or both.