Temperature and light tolerance of representative brown, green and red algae in tumble culture revealed by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements

Laminaria japonica, Undaria pinnatif ida, Ulva lactuca, Grateloupia turuturu and Palmaria palmata are suitable species that fit the requirements of a seaweed-animal integrated aquaculture system in terms of their viable biomass, rapid growth and promising nutrient uptake rates. In this investigation, the responses of the optimal chlorophyll fluorescence yield of the five algal species in tumble culture were assessed at a temperature range of 10~30℃. The results revealed that Ulva lactuca was the most resistant species to high temperature, withstanding 30℃ for 4 h without apparent decline in the optimal chlorophyll fluorescence yield. While the arctic alga Palmaria palmata was the most vulnerable one, showing significant decline in the optimal chlorophyll fluorescence yield at 25℃ for 2 h. The cold-water species Laminaria japonica, however, demonstrated strong ability to cope with higher temperature (24~26℃) for shorter time (within 24 h) without significant decline in the optimal chlorophyll fluorescence yield. Grateloupia turuturu showed a general decrease in the optimal chlorophyll fluorescence yield with the rising temperature from 23 to 30℃, similar to the temperate kelp Undaria pinnatifida. Changes of chlorophyll fluorescence yields of these algae were characterized differently indicating the existence of species-unique strategy to cope with high light. Measurements of the optimal chlorophyll fluorescence yield after short exposure to direct solar irradiance revealed how long these exposures could be without significant photoinhibition or with promising recovery in photosynthetic activities. Seasonal pattern of alternation of algal species in tank culture in the Northern Hemisphere at the latitude of 36°N was proposed according to these basic measurements.