Photosynthetic light requirement near the theoretical minimum detected in Arctic microalgae

Clara J. M. Hoppe (), Niels Fuchs, Dirk Notz, Philip Anderson, Philipp Assmy, Jørgen Berge, Gunnar Bratbak, Gaël Guillou, Alexandra Kraberg, Aud Larsen, Benoit Lebreton, Eva Leu, Magnus Lucassen, Oliver Müller, Laurent Oziel, Björn Rost, Bernhard Schartmüller, Anders Torstensson and Jonas Wloka
Additional contact information
Clara J. M. Hoppe: Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
Niels Fuchs: University of Hamburg
Dirk Notz: University of Hamburg
Philip Anderson: Scottish Association for Marine Science
Philipp Assmy: Fram Centre
Jørgen Berge: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Gunnar Bratbak: University of Bergen
Gaël Guillou: Environment and Societies (CNRS—University of La Rochelle)
Alexandra Kraberg: Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
Aud Larsen: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre
Benoit Lebreton: Environment and Societies (CNRS—University of La Rochelle)
Eva Leu: Akvaplan-niva
Magnus Lucassen: Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
Oliver Müller: University of Bergen
Laurent Oziel: Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
Björn Rost: Alfred-Wegener-Institut—Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
Bernhard Schartmüller: UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Anders Torstensson: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Jonas Wloka: Independent Researcher

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological processes on Earth, providing the main source of bioavailable energy, carbon, and oxygen via the use of sunlight. Despite this importance, the minimum light level sustaining photosynthesis and net growth of primary producers in the global ocean is still unknown. Here, we present measurements from the MOSAiC field campaign in the central Arctic Ocean that reveal the resumption of photosynthetic growth and algal biomass buildup under the ice pack at a daily average irradiance of not more than 0.04 ± 0.02 µmol photons m−2 s−1 in late March. This is at least one order of magnitude lower than previous estimates (0.3–5 µmol photons m−2 s−1) and near the theoretical minimum light requirement of photosynthesis (0.01 µmol photons m−2 s−1). Our findings are based on measurements of the temporal development of the under-ice light field and concurrent measurements of both chlorophyll a concentrations and potential net primary production underneath the sea ice at 86 °N. Such low light requirements suggest that euphotic zones where photosynthesis can occur in the world’s oceans may extend further in depth and time, with major implications for global productivity estimates.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51636-8

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