Photoacclimation by arctic cryoconite phototrophs

Perkins, Rupert G.; Williamson, Christopher J.; Yallop, Marian L.; Bagshaw, Elizabeth; Mol, Lisa; Fagan, Dan; Gamble, Maggie

Abstract

© FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. Cryoconite is a matrix of sediment, biogenic polymer and a microbial community that resides on glacier surfaces. The phototrophic component of this community is well adapted to this extreme environment, including high light stress. Photoacclimation of the cryoconite phototrophic community on Longyearbreen, Svalbard, was investigated using in situ variable chlorophyll fluorescence. Rapid light curves (RLCs) and induction-recovery curves were used to analyse photosystem II quantum efficiency, relative electron transport rate and forms of downregulation including non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and state transitions in cyanobacteria. Phototrophs used a combination of behavioural and physiological photochemical downregulation. Behavioural downregulation is hypothesised to incorporate chloroplast movement and cell or filament positioning within the sediment matrix in order to shade from high light, which resulted in a lack of saturation of RLCs and hence overestimation of productivity. Physiological downregulation likely consisted of biphasic NPQ, comprising a steadily induced light-dependent form and a light-independent NPQ that was not reversed with decreasing light intensity. State transitions by cyanobacteria were the most likely physiological downregulation employed by cyanobacteria within the mixed phototroph community. These findings demonstrate that cryoconite phototrophs combine multiple forms of physiological and behavioural downregulation to optimise light exposure and maximise photosynthetic productivity. This plasticity of photoacclimation enables them to survive productively in the high-light stress environment on the ice surface.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 13, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Feb 18, 2017
• Publication Date: Feb 18, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 18, 2018
• Journal: FEMS Microbiology Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0168-6496
• Electronic ISSN: 1574-6941
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 93
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fix018
• Keywords: cryoconite, down regulation, non-photochemical quenching,; photoacclimation, productivity, fluorescence
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/886951
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fix018
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in FEMS Microbiology Ecology following peer review. The version of record Perkins, R., Bagshaw, E., Mol, L., Williamson, C., Fagan, D., Gamble, M. and Yallop, M. (2017) Photoacclimation by Arctic cryoconite phototrophs. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 93 (5). Available from: http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/30998 is available online at:https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fix018.
• Contract Date: Apr 4, 2017