Partitioning of CO(2) Fixation in the Colonial Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa: Mechanism Promoting Formation of Surface Scums

Abstract

Constraints on inorganic carbon (C(i)) availability stimulated buoyancy in natural, photosynthetically active populations of the colonial blue-green alga (cyanobacterium) Microcystis aeruginosa. In nonmixed eutrophic river water and cultures, O(2) evolution determinations indicated C(i) limitation of photosynthesis, which was overcome either by CO(2) additions to the aqueous phase or by exposure of buoyant colonies to atmospheric CO(2). Microautoradiographs of M. aeruginosa colonies revealed partitioning of CO(2) fixation and photosynthate accumulation between peripheral and internal cells, particularly in large colonies. When illuminated colonies were suspended in the aqueous phase, peripheral cells accounted for at least 90% of the CO(2) assimilation, whereas internal cells remained unlabeled. However, when CO(2) was allowed to diffuse into colonies 15 min before illumination, a more uniform distribution of labeling was observed. Resultant differences in labeling patterns were most likely due to peripheral cells more exclusively utilizing CO(2) when ambient C(i) concentrations were low. Among colonies located at the air-water interface, internal cells showed an increased share of photosynthate production when atmospheric CO(2) was supplied. This indicated that C(i) transport was restricted in large colonies below the water surface, forcing internal cells to maintain a high degree of buoyancy, thus promoting the formation of surface scums. At the surface, C(i) restrictions were alleviated. Accordingly, scum formation appears to have an ecological function, allowing cyanobacteria access to atmospheric CO(2) when the C(i) concentration is growth limiting in the water column.