NH4+ enrichment and UV radiation interact to affect the photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake of Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta)

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm) is known to inhibit the photosynthesis of macroalgae, whereas nitrogen availability may alter the sensitivity of the algae to UVR. Here, we show that UV-B (280-315 nm) significantly reduced the net photosynthetic rate of Gracilaria lemaneiformis. This inhibition was alleviated by enrichment with ammonia, which also caused a decrease in dark respiration. The presence of both UV-A (315-400 nm) and UV-B stimulated the accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds. However, this stimulation was not affected by enrichment with ammonia. The content of phycoerythrin (PE) was increased by the enrichment of ammonia only in the absence of UVR. Ammonia uptake and the activity of nitrate reductase were repressed by UVR. However, exposure to UVR had an insignificant effect on the rate of nitrate uptake. In conclusion, increased PE content associated with ammonia enrichment played a protective role against UVR in this alga, and UVR differentially affected the uptake of nitrate and ammonia.     

Optical properties and light penetration in a deep,naturally acidic,iron rich lake: Lago Caviahue (Patagonia,Argentina)

The optical properties and light climate in the deep and extremely acid Lake Caviahue have been studied in order to better understand its characteristics and the possible influence upon the phytoplankton community. The absorption coefficients for the dissolved fraction were maximal in the ultraviolet (UV) region and the water absorption spectra showed a shoulder around 300 nm, which was attributed to the concentration of Fe(III). No radiation was detected in the water column below 360 nm. The depth of the 1% incident radiation was dependent of wavelength, showing its maximum of 13.3 m at 565 nm, compared to 1.7 m and 4.8 m at 400 nm and 700 nm, respectively. Phytoplankton biomass was low and showed an almost constant profile with depth despite the relative darkness of the water column. Optical climate of Lake Caviahue is not typical of high elevation lakes but is more similar to low elevation shallow lakes of the Andean region. The chemical composition of the water, mainly Fe oxidation state and concentration, is the responsible for the high attenuation of the UV radiation (UVR). Living organisms are protected of UVR because Lake Caviahue waters are a shield against UV-B.     

Influence of water mixing on the inhibitory effect of UV radiation on primary and bacterial production in Mediterranean coastal water

The scaling of the solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) effect on phyto- and bacterio-plankton at the ecosystem level is difficult since its estimate is often based on short-time incubation experiments performed at fixed depths, neglecting the previous days’ radiation history and the variable radiation caused by vertical mixing. To examine this issue, we measured primary (PP) and bacterial (BP) production in samples from coastal water in the Northwest Mediterranean Sea incubated at fixed depths or moving vertically within the water column (0–8 m) with a periodicity of 22 min, exposed to full sun, PAR or maintained in dark. Three experiments were carried out on consecutive days to measure day-to-day variations in planktonic response. In surface waters, PP was inhibited by ~32 to 42% by UVR, and BP was inhibited by ~50 to 70% by solar radiation (UVR + PAR). We observed a general decrease in the integrated inhibition of PP due to UVR for both fixed and moving incubations over the 3 days from ~27% of inhibition to non-significant inhibition. In contrast, large discrepancies were observed in the integrated inhibition of BP due to solar radiation (UVR + PAR) between fixed and moving incubations. Whereas both type of incubations gave similar estimation of solar radiation inhibition on day 1 (~25%), inhibition became much higher for fixed incubation compared to moving incubation on days 2 and 3. Differences in responses between days suggest that light history, spectral quality, photoadaptation or acclimation may be important factors in daily observed responses. Our results also underline, for the first time, the importance of the vertical mixing in the BP inhibition by solar radiation.     

Effect of nutrient supply on photosynthesis and pigmentation to short-term stress (UV radiation) in Gracilaria conferta (Rhodophyta)

The effects of increased photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), UV radiation (UVR), and nutrient supply on photosynthetic activity, pigment content, C:N ratio and biomass yield were studied in tank cultivated Gracilaria conferta (Rhodophyta). Electron transport rate (ETR) and biliprotein content were higher under high nutrient supply (HNS), obtained from fishpond effluents, compared to low nutrient supply (LNS), in contrast to mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) dynamic. The high MAA content in LNS-algae could be explained by higher UVR penetration in the thallus and by the competition for the use of nutrients with other processes. Effective quantum yield decreased after short-term exposure to high irradiance whereas full recovery in shade was produced only under slightly heat shock. UVA radiation provoked an additional decrease in photosynthesis under high water temperature. UVB radiation reversed UVA’s negative effect mainly with HNS. Results support that nutrient-sufficiency help G. conferta to resist environmental changes as short-term temperature increase.     

铜绿微囊藻中的紫外保护物质类菌孢素氨基酸(MAAs)与水华形成机制探讨

类菌孢素氨基酸(mycosporine-like amino acids, 间称MAAs)存在于许多生物体内,对紫外辐射(UVR)有较高的吸收能力,被认为有保护细胞、减少UVR损伤的功能. 通过对从太湖分离、室内培养的铜绿微囊藻和以微囊藻为优势种类的太湖浮游植物样品的吸收光谱和反相高效液相色谱分析,发现铜绿微囊藻和太湖浮游植物都含有shinorine和porphyra-334两种MAAs,但以shinorine为主. 本文还讨论了MAAs与铜绿微囊藻水华形成的关系.     

(光压)斥力相互作用在自然界客观存在的宏观证据

在宇宙中,众多恒星发出的光线充斥于万物之间.光压虽然早在1901年就被人们发现和试验证实,但一直未把它作为一种客观存在的自然力看待.其原因是(光压)斥力相互作用(自然力)主要表现在宇观物体(天体)上,在太阳系内的(太阳光压)斥力作用下,能否证明地球物质的宏观运动状态发生了变化及发生了什么样的变化,则是人们把(光压)斥力相互作用是否作为一种自然力看待的关键.宋贯一(1991)发现,太阳光压、地球的自转与公转组成了一套类似金属塑性压力加工中的一套天然"轧机",太阳的能量(动量)就是通过这种"轧制"式耦合物理机制传递给地球的,并依据这种耦合机制产生的地壳"轧展"效应特征,发现(1999)太阳光压斥力作用才是控制全球地壳运动和地震活动的唯一重要因素.宋贯一(1992)又发现,太阳光压、地球的自转与公转及赤黄交角的存在,组成了一套天然的日地间太阳能量(动量)相耦合的"摇摆"式物理机制,依据这种耦合机制特征,发现和证明(2006,2011)太阳光压斥力相互作用才是激发自转轴摆动并产生极移及地球自转速度季节性变化的主要力源.上述一系列发现,为(光压)斥力相互作用在自然界的客观存提供了具有说服力的证据.它与(万有)引力相相互作用一样,在宇宙的演化中起着同等重要的作用.     

Changed relation between sunspot numbers,solar UV/EUV radiation and TSI during the declining phase of solar cycle 23

We study the mutual relation of sunspot numbers and several proxies of solar UV/EUV radiation, such as the F10.7 radio flux, the HeI 1083 nm equivalent width and the solar MgII core-to-wing ratio. It has been noted earlier that the relation between these solar activity parameters changed in 2001/2002, during a large enhancement of solar activity in the early declining phase of solar cycle 23. This enhancement (the secondary peak after the Gnevyshev gap) forms the maximum of solar UV/EUV parameters during solar cycle 23. We note that the changed mutual relation between sunspot numbers and UV/EUV proxies continues systematically during the whole declining phase of solar cycle 23, with the UV/EUV proxies attaining relatively larger values for the same sunspot number than during the several decennia prior to this time. We have also verified this evolution using the indirect solar UV/EUV proxy given by a globally averaged f₀(F2) frequency of the ionospheric F2 layer. We also note of a simultaneous, systematic change in the relation between the sunspot numbers and the total solar irradiance, which follow an exceptionally steep relation leading to a new minimum. Our results suggest that the reduction of sunspot magnetic fields (probably photospheric fields in general), started quite abruptly in 2001/2002. While these changes do not similarly affect the chromospheric UV/EUV emissions, the TSI suffers an even more dramatic reduction, which cannot be understood in terms of the photospheric field reduction only. However, the changes in TSI are seen to be simultaneous to those in sunspots, so most likely being due to the same ultimate cause.     

Limitation of the accuracy of F2-layer critical frequency predictions due to variations in the flux of the Sun’s extreme UV radiation

The accuracy limitations of critical frequency predictions in the ionospheric F2 layer are considered, which arise due to random variations in the Sun’s extreme UV radiation during the month. An analysis of δf (relative values of monthly rms scatters of the F2-layer critical frequencies) and the appropriate δu values (monthly rms scatters of extreme UV radiation) has shown their dependence on the solar activity level. A conclusion is drawn that when prognostic models of monthly medians are used for forecasting foF2 for a particular date, the error can hardly be less than ～7% at low solar activity and ～15% at a higher solar activity level.     

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on the abundance,diversity and activity of bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton: insights from microcosm studies

The effects of ultraviolet-B (0.4 W m⁻²) radiation on the abundance, diversity and heterotrophic metabolism of bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton communities from Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) were assessed and compared to those of freshwater communities from Lake Vela (Portugal) in microcosm experiments. Exposure to 9 h of artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) led to 24–33% reduction in bacterial abundance and up to a 70% decrease in bacterial diversity. Maximum extracellular enzyme activity and monomer incorporation rates were reduced by 16–90% and 80–100%, respectively. Recovery of bacterial activity during post-UV dark incubations ranged from 10 to 100% for extracellular enzyme activity and 40% for monomer incorporation rates. In general, the heterotrophic activity of bacterioneuston was more inhibited by UVR than that of bacterioplankton. However, DGGE profiles revealed greater UVR-induced reductions in the diversity of bacterioplankton compared to bacterioneuston. The similarity between bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton communities in samples collected at early morning was lower than at noon (pre-exposed communities) and increased upon experimental irradiation, possibly indicating selection for UV-resistant bacteria. The observation that UV exposure resulted in enhanced reduction of bacterioneuston activity, but a lower reduction in bacterial diversity accompanied by enhanced dark recovery potential compared to bacterioplankton, indicates re-directioning of bacterioneuston metabolism towards stress defence/recovery strategies rather than the sustained heterotrophic metabolism. Our results indicate that UVR can significantly decrease the abundance, diversity and activity of bacteria inhabiting the surface and sub-surface layers of freshwater and estuarine systems with potentially important impacts on the biogeochemical cycles in these environments.     

Variations in solar radiation in the solar activity cycle: Response of Earth’s atmospheric parameters (numerical modeling and analysis of observational data)

The results of a three-dimensional numerical simulation of changes in the temperature and wind within a height range of up to 100 km caused by changes in fluxes in the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the 23rd solar activity cycle (which was characterized by unusually low values of UV-radiation fluxes) and also of global changes in the ozone content are presented. The simulation results showed that the response of the temperature to variations in the UV radiation are substantially of a nonzonal character, which is caused by the presence in the model of sources of quasi-stationary waves corresponding to the observational data.     

Response of the global fields of temperature and tropospheric wind and the middle atmosphere to variations in the solar UV radiation flow during a solar activity cycle in the presence of planetary waves (3D modeling)

Using a model of the general circulation, the response of the temperature and wind in the Earth’s atmosphere to variations in solar UV radiation flows during an 11-year activity cycle is studied with respect to their dependence on the wavelength. Satellite measurement data for the 23rd cycle that were characterized by anomalously low flows of UV radiation at minimum activity are used in calculations. To implement numerical scenarios, wavelength-dependent variations in the UV radiation flow changing absorption in the bands of ozone and molecular oxygen are used in the radiation block of the model. Based on empirical data, a spatial structure of stationary disturbances having the wavenumbers S = 1, 2, and 3 are assigned at the lower boundary of the model. The calculation results demonstrating the changes in the atmospheric parameters between the solar activity maximum and minimum within the height range 0–120 km are presented. It is shown that the response of monthly average values has a wavy structure in latitude, i.e., a nonseasonal character, amounting to several degrees in the lower atmosphere. The results obtained indicate that planetary waves are an important link in the transmission of an external effect on the lower atmosphere.     

Photodegradation of autochthonous and allochthonous dissolved organic matter in a natural tropical lake

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is one of the most abundant fractions of organic matter in aquatic systems and plays an important role in the dynamics of aquatic environments, controlling both the penetration and the underwater light radiation climate. DOC can be photodegraded by light, thus facilitating biodegradation, especially in regions where the incidence of solar radiation is high, such as higher altitudes and lower latitudes. This study quantified the photodegradation of dissolved organic material in a natural tropical lake surrounded by native forests (Brazilian Atlantic Forest) through two experiments: i) the first experiment exposed concentrated autochthonous, allochthonous, and lake water to in situ solar radiation; ii) this experiment also exposed the same organic material to artificial UV radiation in an incubator under controlled conditions. The quality and quantity of dissolved organic carbon were measured using indices based on carbon absorbance and fluorescence spectrum. In the in situ experiment, it was observed that the DOC degradation profile of the concentrated allochthonous and autochthonous organic material were distinct from each other in the absorbance indices, and the lake water mostly resembled the latter one. On the other hand, we did not see evidence of any significant difference among treatments in the laboratory experiment. An increase in the SR index and a concomitant decrease in the fluorescence of humic compounds and SUVA₂₅₄ over time were observed. In both experiments, the amount of degraded organic material over time was low and some possible explanations are discussed.     

Mismatch between variations of solar indices, stratospheric ozone and UV-B observed at ground

In solar cycles 22–23, all solar indices showed maxima near 1990 and 2000 and minima in 1996. The maximum to minimum variation was only 1–2% in the UV range 240–350 nm. Dobson ozone intensities did not show any clear relationship with solar cycle and ozone variations were less than 10%. The UV-B (295–325 nm) observed at ground by Brewer spectrophotometers at some locations had variations of 50–100% for 295–300 nm, and 20–50% for 305–325 nm. The maxima were in different years at different locations (even with separations of only 300 km), did not match with the solar cycle, and were far too large to be explained on the basis of ozone changes (1% decrease of ozone is expected to cause 2% increase of UV-B). Thus, if the data are not bad, the UV-B changes do not match with solar activity or ozone changes and must be mostly due to other local effects (clouds, etc.?). When data are averaged over wide geographical regions, UV-B variation ranges are smaller (10–20%, probably because localised, highly varying cloud effects get filtered out), and are roughly as expected from ozone variations.