Oxygen Uptake and Photosynthesis of the Red Macroalga, Chondrus crispus, in Seawater

Abstract

With an experimental system using mass spectrometry techniques and infra-red gas analysis of CO₂ developed for aquatic plants, we studied the responses to various light intensities and CO₂ concentrations of photosynthesis and O₂ uptake of the red macroalga Chondrus crispus S. The CO₂ exchange resistance at air-water interface which could limit the photosynthesis was experimentally measured. It allowed the calculation of the free dissolved CO₂ concentration. The response to light showed a small O₂ uptake (37% of net photosynthesis in standard conditions) compared to C₃ plants; it was always higher than dark respiration and probably included a photoindependent part. The response to CO₂ showed: (a) an O₂ uptake relatively insensitive to CO₂ concentration and not completely inhibited with high CO₂, (b) a general inhibition of gas exchanges below 130 microliters CO₂ per liter (gas phase), (c) an absence of an inverse relationship between O₂ and CO₂ uptakes, and (d) a low apparent K_m of photosynthesis for free CO₂ (1 micromolar). These results suggest that O₂ uptake in the light is the sum of different oxidation processes such as the glycolate pathway, the Mehler reaction, and mitochondrial respiration. The high affinity for CO₂ is discussed in relation to the use of HCO₃⁻ and/or the internal CO₂ accumulation.