(LATO) IN LOWERED SEAWATER pH - Central Visayas Campus ...

appear to be imposed by genotypic constraints on the maximum cell density and on
the size of photosynthetic units rather than by either light or nutrient limitation of
chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein synthesis.
Another study by Beer et al. in 1993 focused on the photosynthetic
performance and carboxylation capacity in a range of aquatic macrophytes of
different growth forms. The low chlorophyll content and high chlorophyll specific
photosynthesis of species with high carbon transport capability (i.e. particularly the
marine algae) determine a large section on the water quality and thus, to the life in
marine environment. This suggests that running costs associated with inorganic
carbon assimilation are reduced when a CO2 concentrating system operates.
According to the Australian Online Coastal Information, chlorophyll a
concentrations are an indicator of phytoplankton abundance and biomass in coastal
and estuarine waters. They can be an effective measure of trophic status, are potential
indicators of maximum photosynthetic rate (P -max) and are a commonly used
measure of water quality. High levels often indicate poor water quality and low levels
often suggest good conditions. However, elevated chlorophyll a concentrations are
not necessarily a bad thing in relation to water quality. It is the long-term persistence
of elevated levels that is a problem. For this reason, annual median chlorophyll a
concentrations in a waterway are an important indicator on the status of the
environment.
2.5 Related Studies
Clark et al. (2009) had conducted a research about the response of sea urchin
pluteus larvae (Echinodermata: Echinoidea ) to reduced seawater pH. The results
showed that lowered seawater pH had affected the survival of the species used.
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