A Preliminary Report on the Photosynthetic Activity of Phyllophora Antarctica A. et E. S. GEPP, Antarctic Red Alga

Abstract

Antarctic red alga, Phyllophora antarctica A. et E. S. GEPP was collected from beneath the ice on the coast of East Ongul Island (Lat. 69°00'S, Long. 39°35'E) situated in Lutzow-Holm Bay, Antarctica. The water temperature was -0.5℃. The light intensity was 650lx. The measurement of photosynthetic activity on the specimens was made in the laboratory aboard the ice breaker FUJI. The fronds were placed in D. O. bottles for one hour. Net photosynthesis was measured by means of Winkler titration for dissolved O_2 before and after the incubation. The photosynthetic activity increased with increase in light intensity till 8,000lx. The optimum temperature for the photosynthetic activity was about 20℃ under 8,000lx. But the fronds kept under 15℃ or 20℃ for 3 days discolored and showed low rates of the activity.