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Imaging of surface O2 dynamics in corals with magnetic micro optode particles

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Abstract

We present a new method for quantifying spatio-temporal O2 distribution and dynamics at biologically active surfaces with a complex surface topography. Magnetized O2 optode microparticles (~80–100 μm) containing the NIR-emitting luminophore platinum (II) meso-tetra(4-fluorophenyl) tetrabenzoporphyrin (PtTPTBPF; ex. max. 615 nm; em. max. 780 nm) were distributed across the surface tissue of the scleractinian coral Caulastrea furcata and were held in place with a strong magnet. The O2-dependent luminescence of the particles was mapped with a lifetime imaging system enabling measurements of the lateral surface heterogeneity of the O2 microenvironment across coral polyps exposed to flow. Mapping steady-state O2 concentrations under constant light and O2 dynamics during experimental light–dark shifts enabled us to identify zones of different photosynthetic activities within a single coral polyp linked to the distribution of coral host pigments. Measurements under increasing irradiance showed typical saturation curves of O2 concentration and estimates of gross photosynthesis that could be spatially resolved at ~100 μm pixel resolution. The new method for O2 imaging with magnetized optode particles has much potential to be used in studies of the surface microenvironment of other aquatic systems such as sediments, biofilms, plant, and animal tissue.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Kristian Vedel and other staff of Øresundsakvariet at the Marine Biology Section for maintenance of the corals and the coral growth facility. Erik Trampe is thanked for help with figure formatting. This study was supported by grants from the Danish Natural Science Research Council (MK) and the Danish Research Council for Technology and Production (MK).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000, Helsingør, Denmark

    J. Fabricius-Dyg, M. Staal & M. Kühl

  2. Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010, Graz, Austria

    G. Mistlberger, S. M. Borisov & I. Klimant

  3. Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia

    M. Kühl

  4. Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01n-42, 637551, Singapore, Singapore

    M. Kühl

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  1. J. Fabricius-Dyg
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  2. G. Mistlberger
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  3. M. Staal
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  4. S. M. Borisov
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  5. I. Klimant
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  6. M. Kühl
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Correspondence to M. Kühl.

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Communicated by M. Huettel.

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Fabricius-Dyg, J., Mistlberger, G., Staal, M. et al. Imaging of surface O2 dynamics in corals with magnetic micro optode particles. Mar Biol 159, 1621–1631 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1920-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1920-y

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