Photosynthetic activity including the thermal‐ and chilling‐light sensitivities of a temperate Japanese brown alga Sargassum macrocarpum

The effects of irradiance, temperature, thermal‐ and chilling‐light sensitivities on the photosynthesis of a temperate alga, Sargassum macrocarpum (Fucales) were determined by a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM)‐chlorophyll fluorometer and dissolved oxygen sensors. Oxygenic photosynthesis–irradiance curves at 8, 20, and 28°C revealed that the maximum net photosynthetic rates (NP ₘₐₓ) and saturation irradiance were highest at 28°C, and lowest at 8°C. Gross photosynthesis and dark respiration determined over a range of temperatures (8–36°C) at 300 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ revealed that the maximum gross photosynthetic rate (GPₘₐₓ) occurred at 27.8°C, which is consistent with the highest seawater temperature in the southern distributional limit of this species in Japan. Additionally, the maximum quantum yields of photosystem II (F ᵥ/F ₘ) during the 72‐h temperature exposures were stable at 8–28°C, but suddenly dropped to zero at higher temperatures, indicative of PSII deactivation. Continuous exposure (12 h) to irradiance of 200 (low) and 1000 (high) μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ at 8, 20, and 28°C revealed greater declines in their effective quantum yields (Φ PSII) under high irradiance. While Φ PSII under low irradiance were very similar with the initial F ᵥ/F ₘ under 20 and 28°C, values rapidly decreased with exposure duration at 8°C. At this temperature, F ᵥ/F ₘ did not recover to initial values even after 12 h of dark acclimation. Final F ᵥ/F ₘ of alga at 28°C under high irradiance treatment also did not recover, suggesting its sensitivity to photoinhibition at both low and high temperatures. These photosynthetic characteristics reflect both the adaptation of the species to the general environmental conditions, and its ability to acclimate to seasonal changes in seawater temperature within their geographical range of distribution.