Solar PAR and UV radiation affects the physiology and morphology of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

Solar UV radiation (280–400 nm) may affect morphology of cyanobacteria, however, little has been evidenced on this aspect while their physiological responses were examined. We investigated the impacts of solar PAR and UVR on the growth, photosynthetic performance and morphology of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 while it was grown under three different solar radiation treatments: exposures to (a) constant low PAR (photosynthetic active radiation, 400–700 nm), (b) natural levels of solar radiation with and (c) without UV radiation (290–400 nm). When the cells were exposed to solar PAR or PAR + UVR, the photochemical efficiency was reduced by about 40% and 90%, respectively, on day one and recovered faster under the treatment without UVR over the following days. Solar UVR inhibited the growth up to 40%, reduced trichome length by up to 49% and depressed the differentiation of heterocysts. Negligible concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds were found even in the presence of UVR. During the first 2 d of exposure to natural levels of PAR, carotenoid concentrations increased but no prolonged increase was evident. Heterocyst formation was enhanced under elevated PAR levels that stimulated quantum yield and growth after an initial inhibition. Higher concentrations of carotenoids and a twofold increase in the carotenoid to chlorophyll a ratio provided protection from the high levels of solar PAR. Under radiation treatments with UVR the relatively greater decrease in chlorophyll a concentrations compared with the increase in carotenoids was responsible for the higher carotenoid: chlorophyll a ratio. Heterocyst formation was disrupted in the presence of solar UVR. However, the longer term impact of heterocyst disruption to the survival of Anabaena sp. requires further study.