Yang et al. Environ Sci Eur (2020) 32:24 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-00306-9 RESEARCH Open Access Quantifying photosynthetic performance of phytoplankton based on photosynthesis– irradiance response models Xiaolong Yang1, Lihua Liu2, Zhikai Yin1, Xingyu Wang1, Shoubing Wang1* and Zipiao Ye2* Abstract Background: Clarifying the relationship between photosynthesis and irradiance and accurately quantifying photo- synthetic performance are of importance to calculate the productivity of phytoplankton, whether in aquatic ecosys- tems modelling or obtaining more economical production. Results: The photosynthetic performance of seven phytoplankton species was characterized by four typical pho- tosynthesis–irradiance (P–I) response models. However, the diferences were found between the returned values to photosynthetic characteristics by diferent P–I models. The saturation irradiance (Isat) was distinctly underestimated by model 1, and the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax) was quite distinct from its measured values, due to the asymptotic function of the model. Models 2 and 3 lost some foundation to photosynthetic mechanisms, that the returned Isat showed signifcant diferences with the measured data. Model 4 for higher plants could reproduce the irradiance response trends of photosynthesis well for all phytoplankton species and obtained close values to the measured data, but the ftting curves exhibited some slight deviations under the low intensity of irradiance. Diferent phytoplankton species showed diferences in photosynthetic productivity and characteristics. Platymonas subcordi- formis showed larger intrinsic quantum yield (α) and lower Isat and light compensation point (Ic) than Dunaliella salina or Isochrysis galbana. Microcystis sp., especially M. aeruginosa with the largest Pnmax and α among freshwater phyto- plankton strains, exhibited more efcient light use efciency than two species of green algae. Conclusions: The present work will be useful both to describe the behavior of diferent phytoplankton in a quantita- tive way as well as to evaluate the fexibility and reusability of P–I models. Meanwhile we believe this research could provide important insight into the structure changes of phytoplankton communities in the aquatic ecosystems. Keywords: Phytoplankton, Photosynthetic performance, Irradiance, Photosynthesis–irradiance response model Background annually, almost half of the total global primary pro- Phytoplankton are a key functional component of aquatic duction [2, 3]. Tey show higher CO2 fxation rates and ecosystems and play a pivotal role in biogeochemical higher biomass productivity than any other photosyn- cycles [1]. In particular, marine phytoplankton, as the thetic organisms [3]. As the increase of CO2 concentra- principal driving force of ocean carbon cycles and energy tion in the atmosphere and global warming, an accurate fows, fx approximately 50 gigatons of inorganic carbon estimate of photosynthetic productivity of phytoplank- ton becomes ever more important for modelling pri- *Correspondence: [email protected]; [email protected] mary production and structure changes of phytoplankton 1 Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan communities in aquatic ecosystems, especially eutrophic University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic lakes (e.g., Taihu, Erie, Winnipeg lake) and estuaries (e.g., of China 2 Institute of Biophysics, Maths & Physics College, Jinggangshan Yangtze River). University, 28 Xueyuan Road, Ji’an 343009, People’s Republic of China © The Author(s) 2020. 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Environ Sci Eur (2020) 32:24 Page 2 of 13 Clarifying the relationship between photosynthesis and considering the underlying biophysical processes of pho- irradiance is a basis to evaluate the growth performance tosynthesis were mainly used to investigate properties of of phytoplankton. Irradiance acts as a driving force in photosynthetic physiology for phytoplankton [23–28], for photosynthesis. Te level of irradiance afects the growth, example, photoinhibition, photoacclimation and dynamic CO2 fxation efciency, carbon metabolism, and cell down-regulation of photosynthesis. However, most of composition of photosynthetic organisms [4–8]. High mechanistic models have many parameters and complex irradiance causes photoinhibition by the production of relationship between photosynthetic rate and irradi- reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damages the function ance. Consequently, the most extensive application is still of the most light-sensitive complex PSII [5]. While exten- found in those classical models. For example, an exami- sive studies have been carried out and many insights have nation of the literature overwhelmingly reveals in excess enriched the basis of phytoplankton physiology in recent of 1950 papers on the double exponential model pro- decades [9–11], the relationship remains poorly under- posed by Platt et al. [20]. Tis is most probably because stood for phytoplankton. Irradiance availability also these classical models are simpler than those new models afects phytoplankton community composition and is with many complex parameters and processes, and thus one of the key factors causing cyanobacteria blooms [12]. those new models would certainly take many years to be Resource competition theory shows that species with fully adopted. Higher plant and phytoplankton possess lower “critical light intensity” are often superior, such as similar photosynthetic systems. Recently, Ye et al. devel- Microcystis [13]. oped a mechanistic model for higher plants that param- On the other hand, phytoplankton cells are rich in pro- eterizes the core characteristics of photosynthesis to teins, polysaccharides, lipids, vitamins, and polyunsatu- highlight processes, including solar energy absorption of rated fatty acids, which have stirred up great attention photosynthetic pigment molecules, energy transfer, and as a promising potential feedstock for biofuel, nutraceu- electron transport between photosynthetic apparatuses ticals, animal and aquaculture feed production [10, 14]. [29]. Te model with four parameters is relatively simple, Many species have been used for commercial develop- and has been widely applied in rice, wheat, soybean, sun- ment, such as Dunaliella salina, Isochrysis galbana, Spir- fower and other plants [30, 31]. ulina (or Arthrospira), Haematococcus pluvialis, and Te objective of this study was to determine the various Scenedesmus obliquus [2, 6, 10]. Almost all fshes, bivalve relationships between the photosynthetic productivity of molluscs, and crustaceans primarily graze on phyto- phytoplankton and irradiance intensity and investigate plankton to build immunity against diseases during their the reliability of P–I models to estimate the photosyn- early larval stages [12]. However, large-scale production thetic performance for phytoplankton. We selected the of phytoplankton has rarely been successful, with no rather extensive range of phytoplankton, including three more than 1 g DW L−1 biomass that is mainly limited isolated from the ocean and four from lakes, to measure by the inefciency of photosynthesis in high-cell density their photosynthetic oxygen evolution under diferent cultivation [11, 14, 15]. Te photosynthetic parameters irradiance intensity. Obtained P–I data were ftted by can be seen as indicators to achieve sustainable carbon using P–I model for quantization the photosynthetic per- assimilation and TAG accumulation in Isochrysis zhangji- formances. Te P–I model for higher plants developed by angensis [8]. Terefore, accurately quantifying photo- Ye et al. (it was represented as model 4 in this study) was synthetic performance is crucial for more economical frst used to compare against three most widely applied integration of production management and operation of models for phytoplankton (them were represented as industrial-scale phytoplankton culture systems [16]. models 1, 2 and 3 in this study, respectively). Te response curve of photosynthesis to irradiance (P–I) has been frequently used to characterize pho- Materials and methods tosynthetic performance by ftting experimental data Phytoplankton cultivation (measured as oxygen evolution or carbon uptake) with Te three strains of marine phytoplankton (Isochrysis gal- P–I models [17]. Obtained photosynthetic parameters, bana, Dunaliella salina and Platymonas subcordiformis) including the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax), isolated from East China Seas were grown aseptically in the optimal intensity of irradiance (Isat), and the dark res- f/2 medium. Te four strains of freshwater phytoplankton piration rate (Rd) can be regarded as indicator to evaluate (Microcystis aeruginosa