

FOLLOWUS
1.School of Life Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
2.Institute of Marine Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
3.Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
4.Miaodao Protection and Development Service Center, the Marine Ecological Civilization Comprehensive Experimental Area of Changdao, Yantai 265899, China
5.Shandong Marine Resource and Environment Research Institute, Yantai 264006, China
bigwide@163.com
Received:28 September 2025,
Online First:15 September 2026,
Scan QR Code
LI Baoqi,CHEN Weizhou,ZHU Shaojie,et al.Effects of light intensity and temperature on the release of dissolved organic carbon from ,Sargassum ,horneri[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,
LI Baoqi,CHEN Weizhou,ZHU Shaojie,et al.Effects of light intensity and temperature on the release of dissolved organic carbon from ,Sargassum ,horneri[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, DOI:.
Macroalgae release large amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during growth
which greatly contributes to marine carbon sinks. However
the regulatory effects of environmental factors on DOC release remain unclear. We examined DOC release characteristics of golden tide-forming alga
Sargassum
horneri
under three light intensities (30
90
and 300 μmol photons/(m
2
·s)) at 15 and 20 °C. Results show that
increased light and temperature significantly enhanced respiration
photosynthesis
and DOC release of
S
.
horneri
. Under the high light
the maximum photochemical quantum yields (
F
v
/
F
m
) at 15 °C (0.635±0.024) and 20 °C (0.705±0.031) were significantly lower than those under low and medium light
indicating that the alga experienced photodamage
but elevated temperature alleviated such inhibition. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between photosynthetic rate and DOC release rate. Although the photosynthetic rates of the alga exposed to medium and high light at 20 °C were 2.15 and 1.78 times of that at 15 °C
respectively
tissue carbon content remained significantly lower than at 15 °C due to more DOC release. Additionally
the DOC released at 20 °C had higher relative molecular weight compared with that at 15 °C
indicating that more polymerized metabolites were released at a higher temperature. These findings suggest that under certain temperature and light conditions
DOC release from
S
.
horneri
is regulated by the “overflow” mechanism
wherein excess carbon metabolites are released as DOC when photosynthetic carbon fixation exceeds growth demands. This study offered insight into the role of
S
.
horneri
golden tides in coastal ecosystem carbon cycling.
Bala G . 2013 . Digesting 400 ppm for global mean CO 2 concentration . Current Science , 104 ( 11 ): 1471 - 1472 .
Barrón C , Marbé N , Terrados J et al . 2004 . Community metabolism and carbon budget along a gradient of seagrass ( Cymodocea nodosa ) colonization . Limnology and Oceanography , 49 ( 5 ): 1642 - 1651 , https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2004.49.5.1642 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2004.49.5.1642 .
Bennett E , Paine E R , Britton D et al . 2024 . The effect of temperature on rates of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release by the kelp Ecklonia radiata (phylum Ochrophyta): implications for the future coastal ocean carbon cycle . Journal of Phycology , 60 ( 6 ): 1471 - 1484 , https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13518 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13518 .
Bjørrisen P K . 1988 . Phytoplankton exudation of organic matter: why do healthy cells do it . Limnology and Oceanography , 33 ( 1 ): 151 - 154 , https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1988.33.1.0151 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1988.33.1.0151 .
Boyd P W , Claustre H , Levy M et al . 2019 . Multi-faceted particle pumps drive carbon sequestration in the ocean . Nature , 568 ( 7752 ): 327 - 335 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1098-2 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1098-2 .
Byeon S Y , Oh H J , Kim S et al . 2019 . The origin and population genetic structure of the 'golden tide' seaweeds, Sargassum horneri , in Korean waters . Scientific Reports , 9 ( 1 ): 7757 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44170-x https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44170-x .
Carlson C A , Ducklow H W . 1995 . Dissolved organic carbon in the upper ocean of the central equatorial Pacific Ocean, 1992: daily and finescale vertical variations . Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography , 42 ( 2-3 ): 639 - 656 , https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0645(95)00023-J https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0645(95)00023-J .
Cherrier J , Valentine S , Hamill B et al . 2015 . Light-mediated release of dissolved organic carbon by phytoplankton . Journal of Marine Systems , 147 : 45 - 51 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.02.008 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.02.008 .
Duarte C M , Gattuso J P , Hancke K et al . 2022 . Global estimates of the extent and production of macroalgal forests . Global Ecology and Biogeography , 31 ( 7 ): 1422 - 1439 , https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13515 https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13515 .
Eichinger M , Poggiale J C , van Wambeke F et al . 2006 . Modelling DOC assimilation and bacterial growth efficiency in biodegradation experiments: a case study in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean . Aquatic Microbial Ecology , 43 : 139 - 151 , https://doi.org/10.3354/ame043139 https://doi.org/10.3354/ame043139 .
Endo H , Moriyama H , Okumura Y . 2023 . Photoinhibition and photoprotective responses of a brown marine macroalga acclimated to different light and nutrient regimes . Antioxidants (Basel) , 12 ( 2 ): 357 , https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020357 https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020357 .
Falkowski P , Scholes R J , Boyle E et al . 2000 . The global carbon cycle: a test of our knowledge of earth as a system . Science , 290 ( 5490 ): 291 - 296 , https://doi.org/10.1126/science.290.5490.291 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.290.5490.291 .
Feng X T , Li H M , Zhang J H et al . 2025 . Neglecting recalcitrant DOC would lead to serious underestimation of seaweed farming's contribution to ocean carbon sequestration . Science China Earth Sciences , 68 ( 5 ): 1419 - 1428 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1547-4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1547-4 .
Fogg G E . 1983 . The ecological significance of extracellular products of phytoplankton photosynthesis . Botanica Marina , 26 ( 1 ): 3 - 14 , https://doi.org/10.1515/botm.1983.26.1.3 https://doi.org/10.1515/botm.1983.26.1.3 .
Friedlingstein P , O'Sullivan M , Jones M W et al . 2020 . Global carbon budget 2020 . Earth System Science Data , 12 ( 4 ): 3269 - 3340 , https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-3269-2020 https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-3269-2020 .
Gao G , Beardall J , Jin P et al . 2022 . A review of existing and potential blue carbon contributions to climate change mitigation in the Anthropocene . Journal of Applied Ecology , 59 ( 7 ): 1686 - 1699 , https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14173 https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14173 .
Gillooly J F , Brown J H , West G B et al . 2001 . Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate . Science , 293 ( 5538 ): 2248 - 2251 , https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1061967 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1061967 .
Haas A F , Naumann M S , Struck U et al . 2010 . Organic matter release by coral reef associated benthic algae in the Northern Red Sea . Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , 389 ( 1-2 ): 53 - 60 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2010.03.018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2010.03.018 .
Hall J R , Albert G , Twigg I M et al . 2022 . The production of dissolved organic carbon by macroalgae and its consumption by marine bacteria: implications for coastal ecosystems. Frontiers in Marine Science , 9 : 934229 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.934229 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.934229 .
Hama T , Yanagi K . 2001 . Production and neutral aldose composition of dissolved carbohydrates excreted by natural marine phytoplankton populations . Limnology and Oceanography , 46 ( 8 ): 1945 - 1955 , https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2001.46.8.1945 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2001.46.8.1945 .
Hedges J I . 1992 . Global biogeochemical cycles: progress and problems . Marine Chemistry , 39 ( 1-3 ): 67 - 93 , https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4203(92)90096-S https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4203(92)90096-S .
Hellebust J A . 1965 . Excretion of some organic compounds by marine phytoplankton . Limnology and Oceanography , 10 ( 2 ): 192 - 206 , https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1965.10.2.0192 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1965.10.2.0192 .
Helms J R , Stubbins A , Ritchie J D et al . 2008 . Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter . Limnology and Oceanography , 53 ( 3 ): 955 - 969 , https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2008.53.3.0955 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2008.53.3.0955 .
Iñiguez C , Heinrich S , Harms L , Gordillo F J L . 2017 . Increased temperature and CO 2 alleviate photoinhibition in Desmarestia anceps : from transcriptomics to carbon utilization . Journal of Experimental Botany , 68 ( 14 ): 3971 - 3984 , https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erx164 https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erx164 .
Komatsu T , Mizuno S , Natheer A et al . 2014 . Unusual distribution of floating seaweeds in the East China Sea in the early spring of 2012 . Journal of Applied Phycology , 26 ( 2 ): 1169 - 1179 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0152-y https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0152-y .
Krause G H , Weis E . 1991 . Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: the basics . Annual Review of Plant Biology , 42 : 313 - 349 , https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pp.42.060191.001525 https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pp.42.060191.001525 .
Krause-Jensen D , Duarte C M . 2016 . Substantial role of macroalgae in marine carbon sequestration . Nature Geoscience , 9 ( 10 ): 737 - 742 , https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2790 https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2790 .
Krause-Jensen D , Lavery P , Serrano O et al . 2018 . Sequestration of macroalgal carbon: the elephant in the Blue Carbon room . Biology Letters , 14 ( 6 ): 20180236 , https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0236 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0236 .
Kumar Y N , Poong S W , Gachon C et al . 2020 . Impact of elevated temperature on the physiological and biochemical responses of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) . PLoS One , 15 ( 9 ): e 0239097 , https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239097 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239097 .
Lancelot C , Fasham M , Legendre L et al . 1993 . Dissolved organic matter in biogeochemical models of the ocean . In: Evans G T, Fasham M J R eds. Towards a Model of Ocean Biogeochemical Processes . Springer, Berlin Heidelberg . p. 209 - 225 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84602-1_10 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84602-1_10 .
Li H M , Feng X T , Xiong T Q et al . 2023 . Particulate organic carbon released during macroalgal growth has significant carbon sequestration potential in the ocean . Environmental Science & Technology , 57 ( 48 ): 19723 - 19731 , https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04959 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04959 .
Li H M , Zhang Z H , Chen J et al . 2025 . Fate and carbon sequestration potential of sunken macroalgae in coastal oceans from long-term microbial degradation perspective . National Science Review , 12 ( 8 ): nwaf 273 , https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf273 https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf273 .
Li H M , Zhang Z H , Xiong T Q et al . 2022a . Carbon sequestration in the form of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon in a seaweed (kelp) farming environment . Environmental Science & Technology , 56 ( 12 ): 9112 - 9122 , https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c01535 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c01535 .
Li T C , Wu J Q , Du H , Pei P et al . 2022b . Environmental nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient variability triggers intracellular resource reallocation in Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta). Algal Research , 66 : 102778 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2022.102778 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2022.102778 .
Mueller B , den Haan J , Visser P M et al . 2016 . Effect of light and nutrient availability on the release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by Caribbean turf algae. Scientific Reports , 6 : 23248 , https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23248 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23248 .
Myklestad S M . 1995 . Release of extracellular products by phytoplankton with special emphasis on polysaccharides . Science of the Total Environment , 165 ( 1-3 ): 155 - 164 , https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04549-G https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04549-G .
Naumann M S , Haas A , Struck U et al . 2010 . Organic matter release by dominant hermatypic corals of the Northern Red Sea . Coral Reefs , 29 ( 3 ): 649 - 659 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0612-7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0612-7 .
Obernosterer I , Herndl G J . 1995 . Phytoplankton extracellular release and bacterial growth: dependence on the inorganic N꞉P ratio . Marine Ecology Progress Series , 116 : 247 - 257 , https://doi.org/10.3354/meps116247 https://doi.org/10.3354/meps116247 .
Ogawa H , Tanoue E . 2003 . Dissolved organic matter in oceanic waters . Journal of Oceanography , 59 ( 2 ): 129 - 147 , https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025528919771 https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025528919771 .
Ortega A , Geraldi N R , Alam I et al . 2019 . Important contribution of macroalgae to oceanic carbon sequestration . Nature Geoscience , 12 ( 9 ): 748 - 754 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0421-8 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0421-8 .
Paine E R , Brewer E A , Schmid M et al . 2023 . Strong seasonal patterns of DOC release by a temperate seaweed community: implications for the coastal ocean carbon cycle . Journal of Phycology , 59 ( 4 ): 738 - 750 , https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13352 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13352 .
Paine E R , Schmid M , Boyd P W et al . 2021 . Rate and fate of dissolved organic carbon release by seaweeds: a missing link in the coastal ocean carbon cycle . Journal of Phycology , 57 ( 5 ): 1375 - 1391 , https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13198 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13198 .
Raven J . 2018 . Blue carbon: past, present and future, with emphasis on macroalgae . Biology Letters , 14 ( 10 ): 20180336 , https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0336 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0336 .
Reed D C , Carlson C A , Halewood E R et al . 2015 . Patterns and controls of reef-scale production of dissolved organic carbon by giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera . Limnology and Oceanography , 60 ( 6 ): 1996 - 2008 , https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10154 https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10154 .
Sfriso A , Facca C . 2013 . Annual growth and environmental relationships of the invasive species Sargassum muticum and Undaria pinnatifida in the lagoon of Venice . Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science , 129 : 162 - 172 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2013.05.031 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2013.05.031 .
Singh S P , Singh P . 2015 . Effect of temperature and light on the growth of algae species: a review . Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , 50 : 431 - 444 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.024 .
Terawaki T , Yoshikawa K , Yoshida G et al . 2003 . Ecology and restoration techniques for Sargassum beds in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan . Marine Pollution Bulletin , 47 ( 1-6 ): 198 - 201 , https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-326x(03)00054-7 https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-326x(03)00054-7 .
Thornton D C O . 2014 . Dissolved organic matter (DOM) release by phytoplankton in the contemporary and future ocean . European Journal of Phycology , 49 ( 1 ): 20 - 46 , https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2013.875596 https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2013.875596 .
Valenzuela J J , López García de Lomana A , Lee A et al . 2018 . Ocean acidification conditions increase resilience of marine diatoms . Nature Communications , 9 ( 1 ): 2328 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04742-3 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04742-3 .
van Tussenbroek B I , Hernández Arana H A , Rodríguez-Martínez R E et al . 2017 . Severe impacts of brown tides caused by Sargassum spp. on near-shore Caribbean seagrass communities . Marine Pollution Bulletin , 122 ( 1-2 ): 272 - 281 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.057 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.06.057 .
Vass I , Turcsányi E , Touloupakis E et al . 2002 . The mechanism of UV-A radiation-induced inhibition of photosystem II electron transport studied by EPR and chlorophyll fluorescence . Biochemistry , 41 ( 32 ): 10200 - 10208 , https://doi.org/10.1021/bi020272+ https://doi.org/10.1021/bi020272+ .
Wada S , Aoki M N , Tsuchiya Y et al . 2007 . Quantitative and qualitative analyses of dissolved organic matter released from Ecklonia cava Kjellman, in Oura Bay, Shimoda, Izu Peninsula, Japan . Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , 349 ( 2 ): 344 - 358 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2007.05.024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2007.05.024 .
Wang K , Tao X , Zhang S Y et al . 2024 . Effects of ocean acidification and temperature coupling on photosynthetic activity and physiological properties of Ulva fasciata and Sargassum horneri . Biology , 13 ( 8 ): 640 , https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13080640 https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13080640 .
Watanabe K , Yoshida G , Hori M et al . 2020 . Macroalgal metabolism and lateral carbon flows can create significant carbon sinks . Biogeosciences , 17 ( 9 ): 2425 - 2440 , https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2425-2020 https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2425-2020 .
Weigel B L , Pfister C A . 2021 . The dynamics and stoichiometry of dissolved organic carbon release by kelp . Ecology , 102 ( 2 ): e 03221 , https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3221 https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3221 .
Wyatt K H , Tellez E , Woodke R L et al . 2014 . Effects of nutrient limitation on the release and use of dissolved organic carbon from benthic algae in Lake Michigan . Freshwater Science , 33 ( 2 ): 557 - 567 , https://doi.org/10.1086/675453 https://doi.org/10.1086/675453 .
Xu K , Li M Y , Wang W L et al . 2022 . Differences in organic carbon release between conchocelis and thalli of Pyropia haitanensis and responses to changes in light intensity and pH. Algal Research , 61 : 102574 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102574 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102574 .
Xu N N , Wang W L , Xu Y et al . 2021 . Effects of nutrient availability on the release of dissolved and particulate organic carbon by Pyropia haitanensis and its implications. Frontiers in Marine Science , 8 : 696938 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.696938 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.696938 .
Zhang Z S , Wang W L , Xu Y et al . 2025 . Strain-specific responses of Pyropia haitanensis to light intensity in growth, carbon content, and organic carbon release. Frontiers in Marine Science , 12 : 1596003 , https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1596003 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1596003 .
Zhao Z F , Zhong Z H , Wang X et al . 2022 . Effects of desiccation and rehydration on carbon fixation and DOC release in Sargassum thunbergii . Aquatic Botany , 179 : 103516 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2022.103516 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2022.103516 .
Zhong Z H , Huang Y , Peng C X et al . 2024 . Erosion of cultivated kelp facilitates dissolved organic carbon release. Marine Environmental Research , 202 : 106728 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106728 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106728 .
Zhuang M M , Liu J L , Ding X W et al . 2021 . Sargassum blooms in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea: Formation and management. Marine Pollution Bulletin , 162 : 111845 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111845 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111845 .
Zou D H , Liu S X , Du H et al . 2012 . Growth and photosynthesis in seedlings of Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura (Sargassaceae, Phaeophyta) cultured at two different temperatures . Journal of Applied Phycology , 24 ( 5 ): 1321 - 1327 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9783-z https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-011-9783-z .
0
Views
0
Downloads
0
CSCD
Publicity Resources
Related Articles
Related Author
Related Institution
京公网安备11010802024621