Inorganic carbon acquisition in algal communities: are the laboratory data relevant to the natural ecosystems?

Most of the experimental work on the effects of ocean acidification on the photosynthesis of algae has been performed in the laboratory using monospecific cultures. It is frequently assumed that the information obtained from these cultures can be used to predict the acclimation response in the natural environment. CO(2) concentration is known to regulate the expression and functioning of the CCMs in the natural communities; however, ambient CO(2) can become quite variable in the marine ecosystems even in the short- to mid-term. We propose that the degree of saturation of the photosynthesis for a given algal community should be defined in relation to the particular characteristics of its habitat, and not only in relation to its taxonomic composition. The convenience of high CO(2) experiments to infer the degree of photosynthesis saturation by CO(2) in the natural algal communities under the present ocean conditions, as well as its trend in a coming future is discussed taking into account other factors such as the availability of light and nutrients, and seasonality.

Light regulation of cyclic-AMP levels in the red macroalga Porphyra leucosticta.

Total cyclic-3'-5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were measured in the gametophyte of the red macroalga Porphyra leucosticta under different light conditions in order to study its regulation by phytochrome or photosynthesis. cAMP levels were relatively low when samples were incubated in darkness, or exposed to red or far-red light. Irradiation with red+far-red light induced a moderate increase in cAMP levels, while white light induced a pronounced increase in cAMP levels. When incubated under increasing white light irradiance, cAMP levels closely followed the increase in photosynthetic oxygen evolution rate, suggesting a direct relationship between photosynthesis and cAMP accumulation. cAMP levels were not dependent on cellular ATP concentration, as inhibitors of ATP synthesis did not significantly affect cAMP levels in light. We conclude that cAMP depends on photosynthetic activity regardless of ATP synthesis and concentration or phytochrome activity.

Non-photosynthetic enhancement of growth by high CO2 level in the nitrophilic seaweed Ulva rigida C. Agardh (Chlorophyta).

The effects of increased CO2 levels (10,000 microl l(-1)) in cultures of the green nitrophilic macroalga Ulva rigida C. Agardh were tested under conditions of N saturation and N limitation, using nitrate as the only N source. Enrichment with CO2 enhanced growth, while net photosynthesis, gross photosynthesis, dark respiration rates and soluble protein content decreased. The internal C pool remained constant at high CO2, while the assimilated C that was released to the external medium was less than half the values obtained under ambient CO2 levels. This higher retention of C provided the source for extra biomass production under N saturation. In N-sufficient thalli, nitrate-uptake rate and the activity of nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) increased under high CO2 levels. This did not affect the N content or the internal C:N balance, implying that the extra N-assimilation capacity led to the production of new biomass in proportion to C. Growth enhancement by increased level of CO2 was entirely dependent on the enhancement effect of CO2 on N-assimilation rates. The increase in nitrate reductase activity at high CO2 was not related to soluble carbohydrates or internal C. This indicates that the regulation of N assimilation by CO2 in U. rigida might involve a different pathway from that proposed for higher plants. The role of organic C release as an effective regulatory mechanism maintaining the internal C:N balance in response to different CO2 levels is discussed.

Photosynthetic acclimation to photon irradiance and its relation to chlorophyll fluorescence and carbon assimilation in the halotolerant green alga Dunaliella viridis.

This work describes the long-term acclimation of the halotolerant microalga Dunaliella viridis to different photon irradiance, ranging from darkness to 1500 mumol m(-2) s(-1). In order to assess the effects of long-term photoinhibition, changes in oxygen production rate, pigment composition, xanthophyll cycle and in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence using the saturating pulse method were measured. Growth rate was maximal at intermediate irradiance (250 and 700 mumol m(-2) s(-1)). The increase in growth irradiance from 700 to 1500 mumol m(-2) s(-1) did not lead to further significant changes in pigment composition or EPS, indicating saturation in the pigment response to high light. Changes in Photosystem II optimum quantum yield (F(v)/F(m)) evidenced photoinhibition at 700 and especially at 1500 mumol m(-2) s(-1). The relation between photosynthetic electron flow rate and photosyntetic O(2) evolution was linear for cultures in darkness shifting to curvilinear as growth irradiance increased, suggesting the interference of the energy dissipation processes in oxygen evolution. Carbon assimilation efficiencies were studied in relation to changes in growth rate, internal carbon and nitrogen composition, and organic carbon released to the external medium. All illuminated cultures showed a high capability to maintain a C:N ratio between 6 and 7. The percentage of organic carbon released to the external medium increased to its maximum under high irradiance (1500 mumol m(-2) s(-1)). These results suggest that the release of organic carbon could act as a secondary dissipation process when the xanthophyll cycle is saturated.

[Factors associated with breast feeding. II Study of women with no prenatal control]. / Factores asociados a la practica de lactancia II. Estudio de mujeres sin control prenatal.

PIP: This prospective study on breastfeeding practices sought to identify if factors that intervene or determine breastfeeding practices are those influenced by women themselves, promoted by institutions such as hospitals or is a combination of both factors. The methodology included 582 women who did not attend prenatal consultations and only attended the 3 hospitals included in the study to deliver their babies. Hospital A studied 252 women, supported breastfeeding practices and gave patients milk samples; hospital B studied 80 women, did not support breastfeeding and gave milk samples; and hospital C interviewed 250 women, did not support breastfeeding and did not give women milk samples. Invitations to attend the study explained that 12 hours postpartum a questionnaire would be given and 15 days postpartum a session would be held to verify if they were breastfeeding. The independent variables were: place of birth, residence of the new mothers and that their own mothers age, educational level, status of relationship with the father of the baby, number of pregnancies, number of live children, background and number of previous stillbirths, were they living with the father of the baby and was he supporting her, was the pregnancy planned, previous problems with breastfeeding, was previous baby breastfed number of previous babies breastfed, reasons for not breastfeeding, and prior to the study what were other sources of information on breastfeeding. Results demonstrated that the sociocultural and demographic differences between each of the 3 populations attending the 3 hospitals were found to have stronger effects on breastfeeding practices than hospital policies.^ieng