Algal photosynthetic responses to toxic metals and herbicides assessed by chlorophyll a fluorescence

Chlorophyll a fluorescence is established as a rapid, non-intrusive technique to monitor photosynthetic performance of plants and algae, as well as to analyze their protective responses. Apart from its utility in determining the physiological status of photosynthesizers in the natural environment, chlorophyll a fluorescence-based methods are applied in ecophysiological and toxicological studies to examine the effect of environmental changes and pollutants on plants and algae (microalgae and seaweeds). Pollutants or environmental changes cause alteration of the photosynthetic capacity which could be evaluated by fluorescence kinetics. Hence, evaluating key fluorescence parameters and assessing photosynthetic performances would provide an insight regarding the probable causes of changes in photosynthetic performances. This technique quintessentially provides non-invasive determination of changes in the photosynthetic apparatus prior to the appearance of visible damage. It is reliable, economically feasible, time-saving, highly sensitive, versatile, accurate, non-invasive and portable; thereby comprising an excellent alternative for detecting pollution. The present review demonstrates the applicability of chlorophyll a fluorescence in determining responses of algae exposed to environmental toxicants (such as toxic metals and herbicides). (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.We thank Prof. Martin Podhurst (Sangmyung University, Republic of Korea) for language correction. The current research was financially supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF-2012R1A2A2A02012617) and by a grant from Marine Biotechnology Program funded by Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of Korean Government. This study was approved by National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (RP-2013-ME-080)