Rapid light-induced changes in cell fluorescence and in xanthophyll-cycle pigments of Alexandrium excavatum (Dinophyceae) and Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillario-phyceae): a photo-protection mechanism

Abstract

Studies of in vivo chlorophyll a (chl a ) fluorescence per cell, measured with a flow cytometer, and the pigment composition of cultured phytoplanktonic cells suggested that the xanthophyll cycle plays a role in the prevention of photoinhibitory damage to the photosynthetic apparatus.