Pigments and Physiology of Cyanobacterial Mats that are Modern Analogs of Life on Early Earth

Presentation Type

Oral and/or Visual Presentation

Presenter Major(s)

Biology

Mentor Information

Bopi Biddanda

Department

Annis Water Resource Institute (AWRI)

Location

Kirkhof Center 2266

Start Date

10-4-2013 12:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2013 12:00 AM

Keywords

Environment, Life Science, Physical Science

Abstract

Recently discovered submerged sinkholes in Lake Huron are low-oxygen, high-sulfur extreme environments for microbial life. My work investigates the pigments and photophysiology of the cyanobacteria dominated mats present in these sinkholes under in situ and lab studies to understand acclimation to light treatments. Mats were grown in varying light intensities and photosynthetic inhibitors and examined for pigment composition and photosynthetic efficiency using PAM fluorescence to provide insight about light adaptive capabilities and use of oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. In situ observations show seasonality in photosynthetic efficiency for all sites throughout the year. Lab results indicate a 1-2 day photoacclimation period after which yield stabilizes and increased light intensity treatments result in increased photosynthetic efficiency. Inhibitor studies reveal that DCMU, a photosystem II inhibitor, significantly halted photosystem II activity, while NaH2S had no effect.

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Apr 10th, 12:00 AM Apr 10th, 12:00 AM

Pigments and Physiology of Cyanobacterial Mats that are Modern Analogs of Life on Early Earth

Kirkhof Center 2266

Recently discovered submerged sinkholes in Lake Huron are low-oxygen, high-sulfur extreme environments for microbial life. My work investigates the pigments and photophysiology of the cyanobacteria dominated mats present in these sinkholes under in situ and lab studies to understand acclimation to light treatments. Mats were grown in varying light intensities and photosynthetic inhibitors and examined for pigment composition and photosynthetic efficiency using PAM fluorescence to provide insight about light adaptive capabilities and use of oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. In situ observations show seasonality in photosynthetic efficiency for all sites throughout the year. Lab results indicate a 1-2 day photoacclimation period after which yield stabilizes and increased light intensity treatments result in increased photosynthetic efficiency. Inhibitor studies reveal that DCMU, a photosystem II inhibitor, significantly halted photosystem II activity, while NaH2S had no effect.