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Robust photosystem I activity by Cyanothece sp. (Cyanobacteria) and its role in prolonged bloom persistence in lake St Lucia, South Africa

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Abstract

Worldwide, cyanobacterial blooms are becoming more frequent, exacerbated by eutrophication, anthropogenic effects, and global climate change. Environmental factors play a direct role in photosynthesis of cyanobacteria and subsequent cellular changes, growth, and bloom dynamics. This study investigated the photosynthetic functioning of a persistent bloom-forming (18 months) cyanobacterium, Cyanothece sp., isolated from Lake St Lucia, South Africa. DUAL-PAM fluorometric methods were used to observe physiological responses in Cyanothece sp. photosystems I and II. Results show that photosystem I activity was maintained under all environmental conditions tested, while photosystem II activity was not observed at all. Out of the environmental factors tested (temperature, salinity, and nitrogen presence), only temperature significantly influenced photosystem I activity. In particular, high temperature (40 °C) facilitated faster electron transport rates, while effects of salinity and nitrogen were variable. Cyanothece sp. has shown to sustain bloom status for long periods largely because of the essential role of photosystem I activity during highly dynamic and even extreme (e.g., salinities higher than 200) environmental conditions. This ensures the continual supply of cellular energy (e.g. ATP) to important processes such as nitrogen assimilation, which is essential for protein synthesis, cell growth and, therefore, bloom maintenance.

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Acknowledgements

This work is based on the research supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. Any opinion, finding, and conclusion or recommendation expressed in this material are that of the author(s) and the NRF does not accept any liability in this regard. The study was funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF, Pretoria), and the South Africa–Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development (SANPAD, Durban).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, Nelson Mandela University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Schalk J. du Plooy & Renzo Perissinotto

  2. Center for Algal Biotechnology, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Jacobs, P.O. Box 12363, Durban, 4026, South Africa

    Akash Anandraj & Sarah White

  3. Botany Department, Nelson Mandela University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Derek R. du Preez

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  1. Schalk J. du Plooy
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Correspondence to Schalk J. du Plooy.

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Communicated by A. Oren.

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du Plooy, S.J., Anandraj, A., White, S. et al. Robust photosystem I activity by Cyanothece sp. (Cyanobacteria) and its role in prolonged bloom persistence in lake St Lucia, South Africa. Extremophiles 22, 639–650 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-018-1025-8

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