Characterising nutrient-induced fluorescence transients (NIFTs) in nitrogen-stressed Chlorella emersonii (Chlorophyta)

Abstract

K. Shelly, T. Higgins, J. Beardall, B. Wood, D. McNaughton and P. Heraud. 2007. Characterising nutrientinduced fluorescence transients (NIFTs) in nitrogen-stressed Chlorella emersonii (Chlorophyta). Phycologia 46: 503–512. DOI: 10.2216/06-55.1

Although determining the nutrient status of algae is highly desirable for water quality management, conventional methods for assessing nutrient limitation are confounded by a range of theoretical and practical limitations. The current paper examines the effectiveness of a novel rapid fluorometric technique, based on observations of nutrient-induced transients in chl a fluorescence (NIFTs), in providing accurate measurements of algal nutrient limitation. The progress of N-starvation in batch cultures of the freshwater chlorophyte Chlorella emersonii was followed and the NIFT responses of cells to N-starvation and additions of both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ were characterised using a number of techniques including NIFTs, conventional pigment analysis using UV/Visible spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Results showed that the addition of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ elicited distinct changes in in vivo chl a fluorescence in N-limited Chlorella cells. The nature of the fluorescence change was dependent on the form of nitrogen supplied, with NH₄⁺ additions producing a more complex effect on fluorescence than NO₃⁻ additions. Interestingly, the greatest fluorescence response following NH₄⁺ injection occurred prior to cells becoming extremely N-starved. Despite Chlorella exhibiting many of the characteristic features of N-deficient cells such as lowered capacity for photosynthetic electron transport (rETR_max), reduced Chl a : β–carotene ratios and increased levels of carbohydrate accumulation relative to protein, values for the maximum effective quantum yield of Photosystem II (ΦPSII_e-max) remained high over the course of N-starvation.

Key Words::

• Chlorella emersonii
• Nitrogen limitation
• Nutrient-induced fluorescence transient (NIFT)
• Chlorophyll fluorescence

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council. Tara Higgins was a visitor to Monash University on an Endeavour Fellowship awarded by the Australian Department for Education, Science and Training (DEST).