Nitrogen- and irradiance-dependent variations of the maximum quantum yield of carbon fixation in eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic marine systems

Natural variability of the maximum quantum yield of carbon fixation (φC max), as determined from the initial slope of the photosynthesis-irradiance curve and from light absorption measurements, was studied at three sites in the northeast tropical Atlantic representing typical eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic regimes. At the eutrophic and mesotrophic sites, where the mixed layer extended deeper than the euphotic layer, all photosynthetic parameters were nearly constant with depth, and φC max averaged between 0.05 and 0.03 molC (mol quanta absorbed)−1, respectively. At the oligotrophic site, a deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) existed and φC max varied from ca 0.005 in the upper nutrient-depleted mixed layer to 0.063 below the DCM in stratified waters. firstly, φC max was found roughly to covary with nitrate concentration between sites and with depth at the oligotrophic site, and secondly, it was found to decrease with increasing relative concentrations of non-photosynthetic pigments. The extent of φC max variations directly related to nitrate concentration was inferred from variations in the fraction of functional PS2 reaction centers (f), measured using fast repetition rate fluorometry. Covariations between f and nitrate concentration indicate that the latter factor may be responsible for a 2-fold variation in φC max. Moreover, partitioning light absorption between photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pigments suggests that the variable contribution of the non-photosynthetic absorption may explain a 3-fold variation in φC max, as indicated by variations in the effective absorption cross-section of photosystem 2 (σPS2). Results confirm the role of nitrate in φC max variation, and emphasize those of light and vertical mixing.