Photosynthesis ecophysiology of polar Vaucheria sp. – inter-annual comparison

The Vaucheria sp. microbial mats represent the most important primary producer in the tidal flat in Adventdalen, Svalbard. Its photosynthetic activity was monitored ex situ in a microcosm in late Arctic summer in 2016 and 2017 using variable chlorophyll fluorescence measurements with blue and red excitation lights. The effective quantum yield (FPSII) was measured, and the photosynthetic relative electron transport rate (rETR) was calculated. During the measurement period, the microclimate data, air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), were recorded as well. Year 2016 was slightly warmer than year 2017. Despite of higher maximum PAR values found in 2016, the mean irradiance reached higher values in 2017 than 2016. When using red light excitation, the rETR and effective quantum yield values were lower than those measured using blue excitation light in 2016. However, opposite results were recorded in 2017, indicating thus rather sample-specific differences. According to redundancy analysis, the PAR was confirmed as the main driver of photosynthesis in late Arctic summer in both years. No serious photoinhibition, expressed as serious systematic decline of the rETR, was observed in both years indicating rapid photoacclimation of Vaucheria sp. photosynthesis to changing light environment. The air temperature was found to be less important driver of the photosynthetic activity. The inter-annual comparisons showed increased photosynthetic activity in 2017, probably caused by higher PAR in 2017, by differences in microcosmos design and/or heterogeneity of samples.