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Science 23 October 1992:
Vol. 258. no. 5082, pp. 646 - 650
DOI: 10.1126/science.258.5082.646
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Articles

Biological Weighting Function for the Inhibition of Phytoplankton Photosynthesis by Ultraviolet Radiation

John J. Cullen 1, Patrick J. Neale 2, and Michael P. Lesser 3

1 Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1, and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, McKown Point, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575
2 Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, McKown Point, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575
3 Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, McKown Point, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575

Severe reduction of stratospheric ozone over Antarctica has focused increasing concern on the biological effects of ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation (280 to 320 nanometers). Measurements of photosynthesis from an experimental system, in which phytoplankton are exposed to a broad range of irradiance treatments, are fit to an analytical model to provide the spectral biological weighting function that can be used to predict the short-term effects of ozone depletion on aquatic photosynthesis. Results show that UVA (320 to 400 nanometers) significantly inhibits the photosynthesis of a marine diatom and a dinoflagellate, and that the effects of UVB are even more severe. Application of the model suggests that the Antarctic ozone hole might reduce near-surface photosynthesis by 12 to 15 percent, but less so at depth. The experimental system makes possible routine estimation of spectral weightings for natural phytoplankton.

Submitted on May 19, 1992
Accepted on July 30, 1992


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