Description
Book Synopsis* Comprehensive and accessible introduction to the process of photosynthesis in marine plants and algae * Reader-friendly, accessible style with text boxes to help clarify complex points * Each section contains a summary which sets out the main points * Colour plate section .
Table of ContentsAbout the authors ix
Preface xi
About the companion website xiii
Part I Plants and the Oceans 1
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 The evolution of photosynthetic organisms in the oceans 5
Chapter 2 The different groups of marine plants 15
2.1 Cyanobacteria 16
2.2 Eukaryotic microalgae 17
2.3 Photosymbionts 23
2.4 Macroalgae 27
2.5 Seagrasses 34
Chapter 3 Seawater as a medium for photosynthesis and plant growth 39
3.1 Light 40
3.2 Inorganic carbon 45
3.3 Other abiotic factors 52
Summary notes of Part I 55
Part II Mechanisms of Photosynthesis, and Carbon Acquisition in Marine Plants 57
Introduction to Part II 57
Chapter 4 Harvesting of light in marine plants: The photosynthetic pigments 61
4.1 Chlorophylls 61
4.2 Carotenoids 63
4.3 Phycobilins 64
Chapter 5 Light reactions 67
5.1 Photochemistry: excitation, de-excitation, energy transfer and primary electron transfer 67
5.2 Electron transport 74
5.3 ATP formation 76
5.4 Alternative pathways of electron flow 77
Chapter 6 Photosynthetic CO2-fixation and -reduction 81
6.1 The Calvin cycle 81
6.2 CO2-concentrating mechanisms 89
Chapter 7 Acquisition of carbon in marine plants 95
7.1 Cyanobacteria and microalgae 96
7.2 Photosymbionts 101
7.3 Macroalgae 104
7.4 Seagrasses 118
7.5 Calcification and photosynthesis 122
Summary notes of Part II 124
Part III Quantitative Measurements, and Ecological Aspects, of Marine Photosynthesis 127
Introduction to Part III 127
Chapter 8 Quantitative measurements 129
8.1 Gas exchange 131
8.2 How to measure gas exchange 133
8.3 Pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry 137
8.4 How to measure PAM fluorescence 142
8.5 What method to use: Strengths and limitations 146
Chapter 9 Photosynthetic responses, acclimations and adaptations to light 157
9.1 Responses of high- and low-light plants to irradiance 157
9.2 Light responses of cyanobacteria and microalgae 163
9.3 Light effects on photosymbionts 164
9.4 Adaptations of carbon acquisition mechanisms to light 169
9.5 Acclimations of seagrasses to high and low irradiances 169
Chapter 10 Photosynthetic acclimations and adaptations to stress in the intertidal 175
10.1 Adaptations of macrophytes to desiccation 175
10.2 Other stresses in the intertidal 181
Chapter 11 How some marine plants modify the environment for other organisms 183
11.1 Epiphytes and other ‘thieves’ 183
11.2 Ulva can generate its own empires 185
11.3 Seagrasses can alter environments for macroalgae and vice versa 187
11.4 Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae 189
Chapter 12 Future perspectives on marine photosynthesis 191
12.1 ‘Harvesting’ marine plant photosynthesis 191
12.2 Predictions for the future 192
12.3 Scaling of photosynthesis towards community and ecosystem production 194
Summary notes of Part III 197
References 199
Index 203
