Photosynthesis in the Marine Environment (ePub)

"Marine photosynthesis provides for at least half of the primary
production worldwide..."
Photosynthesis in the Marine Environment constitutes a
comprehensive explanation of photosynthetic processes as related to
the special environment in which marine plants live. The first part
of the book introduces the different photosynthesising organisms of
the various marine habitats: the phytoplankton (both cyanobacteria
and eukaryotes) in open waters, and macroalgae, marine angiosperms
and photosymbiont-containing invertebrates in those benthic
environments where there is enough light for photosynthesis to
support growth, and describes how these organisms evolved. The
special properties of seawater for sustaining primary production
are then considered, and the two main differences between
terrestrial and marine environments in supporting
photosynthesis and plant growth are examined, namely irradiance and
inorganic carbon. The second part of the book outlines the general
mechanisms of photosynthesis, and then points towards the
differences in light-capturing and carbon acquisition between
terrestrial and marine plants. This is followed by discussing the
need for a CO2 concentrating mechanism in most of the
latter, and a description of how such mechanisms function in
different marine plants. Part three deals with the various ways in
which photosynthesis can be measured for marine plants, with an
emphasis on novel in situ measurements, including
discussions of the extent to which such measurements can serve as a
proxy for plant growth and productivity. The final chapters of the
book are devoted to ecological aspects of marine plant
photosynthesis and growth, including predictions for the future.