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Physiological response of temperate microphytobenthos to freezing temperatures
Citation
Lee, SH and McMinn, A, Physiological response of temperate microphytobenthos to freezing temperatures, Journal of the Marine Biological Association of The United Kingdom, 93, (8) pp. 2039-2047. ISSN 0025-3154 (2013) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
DOI: doi:10.1017/S0025315413000593
Abstract
Microphytobenthos (MPB) contributes up to half the primary production of estuaries. These microorganisms are sensitive to
changes in sediment temperatures, particularly the extreme temperatures during exposure periods. This study investigates the
physiological responses of MPB to freezing temperatures at two locations near Hobart, Tasmania during winter.
Photosynthetic parameters were measured at 2 mm intervals to a depth of 10 mm. FV/FM values at three different distances
from the shoreline at Kings Beach and Browns River in winter were between 0.584 and 0.617. rETRmax values were between
24.696 and 20.773. Maximum a values peaked in the subsurface rather than at the sediment surface. In vitro laboratory
experiments (down to 258C) showed little difference in response between the control and treatment groups, indicating no
apparent effects of short term freezing on the MPB. Little change in photosynthetic parameters in response to freezing was
probably associated with the resistance of light-harvesting reactions to freezing temperatures, recovery of the plasmalemma
integrity or cryoprotection. Sediment composition and species composition were similar at both sampling sites. Therefore,
responses of MPB were not due to species and grain size composition.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | microphytobenthos diatom Tasmania freezing |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Lee, SH (Ms Amelia Lee) |
UTAS Author: | McMinn, A (Professor Andrew McMinn) |
ID Code: | 87636 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 3 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2013-11-28 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-03 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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