Course content

The course will be divided into a theory and laboratory/exercise part (methods and interpretation of data).

Theory:
Light absorption- and light harvesting characteristics in micro- and macroalgae, chemo-taxonomically differences in pigmentation to elucidate taxonomical and functional differences between algal classes/pigment groups. This information will be put together in a taxonomic (chemotaxonomy), phylogenetic (different evolutionary routes, endosymbiosis), ecological (adjustments to different habitats) and physiological (adaptation and acclimation to key environmental variables) context.

Laboratory:
Demonstration of different bio-optical measuring techniques (spectroradiometer, spectrophotometer, spectrofluorometer) for the measurement of spectral absorption- and attenuation coefficients in organisms and in water (differensiation of water types and different optical components), light climate (irradiance, spectral irradiance, day length), in vivo absorption coefficients (to estimate absorbed quanta), photosystem II spesific fluorescense excitationspectra (fraction of absorbed quanta reaching photosystem II), measurement of difference spectra.
The use of HPLC (high precision liquid chromatography) to isolate pigments will be carried out. Extraction, identification and quantification of these pigments will also be performed. When: End October- end of November every second year (next 2011)

Learning methods and activities

Where: Auditorium/laboratory at Trondhjem Biologiske Stasjon, Bynesveien 46.
When: End October- end of November every second year (next 2011)
Obligatory activity: Theory, exercises/laboratory/report.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved attendance to theory, exercises/laboratory/report.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basis knowledge: Comparable topics at MSc.level (eg. biological oceanography).

Course materials

Literature:
Johnsen, G. (2005) BI-8060 Compendium.

IOCCG (2000). Remote Sensing of Ocean Colour in Coastal, and Other Optically-
Complex, Waters. Sathyendranath, S. (ed.), Reports of the International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group, No. 3, IOCCG, Dartmouth, Canada.

Jeffrey, S. W. And R.F.C. Mantoura, and S. W. Wright (eds.) 1997. Phytoplankton
pigments in oceanography: guidelines to modern methods. UNESCO publishing, Paris, France.

Selected papers.