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Optical properties of benthic photosynthetic communities: fiber-optic studies of cyanobacterial matsA fiber-optic microphobe was used to analyze the spectral light gradients in benthic cyanobacterial mats with 50-micrometer depth resolution and 10-nm spectral resolution. Microcoleus chthononplastes mats were collected from hypersaline, coastal ponds at Guerrero Negro, Baja California. Gradients of spectral radiance, L, were measured at different angles through the mats and the spherically integrated scalar irradiance, Eo, was calculated. Maximal spectral light attenuation was found at the absorption peaks for the dominant photosynthetic pigments: chlorophyll a at 430 and 670 nm, carotenoids at 450-500 nm, phycocyanin at 620 nm, and bacteriochlorophyll a at 800-900 nm. Scattered light had a marked spectral effect on the scalar irradiance which near the mat surface reached up to 190% of the incident irradiance. The spherically integrated irradiance thus differed strongly from the incident irradiance both in total intensity and in spectral composition. These basic optical properties are important for the understanding of photosynthesis and light harvesting in benthic and epiphytic communities.
Document ID
20040089601
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Jorgensen, B. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field CA United States)
Des Marais, D. J.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Limnology and oceanography
Volume: 33
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0024-3590
Subject Category
Exobiology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Center ARC
NASA Discipline Exobiology
NASA Program Exobiology
NASA Discipline Number 52-30

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