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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

06:20
Evaluation of the Effect of Growth Factors on Chlorophylls a and b Production from Microalgae
Published on: October 25, 2024
Evidence of global chlorophyll d
Y Kashiyama1, H Miyashita, S Ohkubo
1Institute for Research on Earth Evolution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan. chiro@jamstec.go.jp
Summary
Chlorophyll d (Chl d) is found in diverse aquatic environments, thriving in a wide range of temperatures and salinities. This pigment plays a significant role in aquatic photosynthesis, contributing up to 4% of photosynthetic activity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Marine biology
- Photosynthesis research
Background:
- Chlorophyll d (Chl d)-dominated oxygenic photosystems have been studied since their discovery.
- The environmental distribution and quantitative significance of Chl d in aquatic photosynthesis remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of Chl d in various aquatic environments.
- To assess the quantitative importance of Chl d-based photosynthesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pigment compositions in surface sediments.
- Detection of Chl d and its derivatives across diverse aquatic habitats.
Main Results:
- Chl d-producing phototrophs inhabit environments with salinities from 0 to 50 PSU and temperatures from 1 to 40°C.
- Chl d can be ubiquitously found in aquatic environments exposed to near-infrared light.
- Relative abundance of Chl d derivatives reached up to 4% compared to Chl a derivatives.
Conclusions:
- Chl d production is widespread in aquatic ecosystems.
- Chl d-based photosynthesis is a quantitatively significant process in aquatic environments.
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