Зависимость квантового выхода фотосинтеза от поглощения света фитопланктоном: получение количественных связей для оценки первичной продукции в Черном море

Purpose . Based on the results of the investigations that were performed during the scientific cruise and included the water hydrophysical characteristics, the chlorophyll a concentration, the photosynthesis-light dependences, the spectral light absorption coefficients by phytoplankton, and the spectral quantum downwelling irradiance, the dependence of the photosynthesis quantum yield upon the environmental factors was studied with the purpose of adaptation of the developed for the Baltic Sea approach for assessing the photosynthesis quantum yield, to the Black Sea. Methods and Results . Complex hydrophysical and biological studies were carried out at several depths within the photosynthesis zone. Spectral bio-optical parameters were measured in accordance with the modern NASA protocol (2018). The experiments on studying the photosynthesis-light relationship were performed under the temperature and light conditions close to the in situ ones. The quantum yield of photosynthesis was calculated based on the parameters of photosynthesis-light dependences (photosynthesis efficiency, light saturation parameter) and the spectral light absorption coefficients by phytoplankton pigments. It was found out that the main photosynthetic characteristics of phytoplankton including the photosynthesis maximum quantum yield and the portion of photoprotective accessory pigments in the total light absorption by phytoplankton varied with depth within the euphotic zone due to phytoplankton adaptation to the environment factors during the period of water seasonal stratification. The relationship between the photosynthesis quantum yield and the number of solar energy quanta absorbed by the photosynthetically active phytoplankton pigments was revealed. The results of the performed research allowed for modifying the equation for calculating the quantum yield for the Black Sea environment conditions according to the approach developed for the other water areas. Conclusions . For the first time, comprehensive studies carried out in the Black Sea and including the measurements of the photosynthesis-light dependences, the spectral light absorption coefficients by phytoplankton and spectral downwelling irradiance at particular optical depths within the euphotic zone enabled to reveal the equation for calculating the photosynthesis quantum yield, which could be applied for calculating primary production of the Black Sea using the spectral approach based both on the results of in situ measurements and the remote sensing data.