ENERGY TRANSFORMATION AND FLUORESCENCE IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS
T. G. Owens
Section of Plant Biology
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York USA
14853-5908
ABSTRACT
The origins of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence in unicellular algae are discussed with regard to the processes
that regulate fluorescence yield and interpretation of fluorescence measurements as an indicator of algal primary
production and physiological state. Emphasis is placed on limitations in interpretation of field data.
INTRODUCTION
The measurement of in vivo chlorophyll (chI) fluorescence has been extensively applied to
studies of phytoplankton physiology and growth in both laboratory and field settings. The
apparent simplicity of fluorescence measurements, compared with direct measurement of
productivity or "physiological state", has contributed significantly to its widespread
application. Based on a limited theoretical and experimental background, there is a general
perception that measurements of in vivo fluorescence can be used to predict important
physiological parameters relating to phytoplankton abundance and growth. Although good
correlations between fluorescence and biomass or productivity measurements have been
demonstrated by several authors, there is reason to use caution in the general application and
interpretation of fluorescence data (see Falkowski and Kiefer, 1985 for an excellent review).The principal limitation to interpretation of fluorescence data is the lack of a mechanistic
description linking the control of in vivo fluorescence yield with the underlying reactions of
photosynthesis and coupled processes.
NATO AS! Series, Vol. G 27
Particle Analysis in Oceanography
Edited by S. Demers
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1991
T. G. Owens
Section of Plant Biology
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York USA
14853-5908
ABSTRACT
The origins of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence in unicellular algae are discussed with regard to the processes
that regulate fluorescence yield and interpretation of fluorescence measurements as an indicator of algal primary
production and physiological state. Emphasis is placed on limitations in interpretation of field data.
INTRODUCTION
The measurement of in vivo chlorophyll (chI) fluorescence has been extensively applied to
studies of phytoplankton physiology and growth in both laboratory and field settings. The
apparent simplicity of fluorescence measurements, compared with direct measurement of
productivity or "physiological state", has contributed significantly to its widespread
application. Based on a limited theoretical and experimental background, there is a general
perception that measurements of in vivo fluorescence can be used to predict important
physiological parameters relating to phytoplankton abundance and growth. Although good
correlations between fluorescence and biomass or productivity measurements have been
demonstrated by several authors, there is reason to use caution in the general application and
interpretation of fluorescence data (see Falkowski and Kiefer, 1985 for an excellent review).The principal limitation to interpretation of fluorescence data is the lack of a mechanistic
description linking the control of in vivo fluorescence yield with the underlying reactions of
photosynthesis and coupled processes.
NATO AS! Series, Vol. G 27
Particle Analysis in Oceanography
Edited by S. Demers
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1991