Course content

Theory will go trough bio-optical properties in plants, algae and marine invertebrates with respect to chemical composition, corresponding colouration and bio-optical properties. This information is an important source for taxonomic, ecological and physiological information that also can be used for mapping and monitoring purposes of marine organisms at sea-surface, water column and sea surface.

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

The course runs every second year (autumn 2013, 2015)

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
- 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.
Demonstration of different bio-optical measuring techniques (spectroradiometer, spectrophotometer, spectrofluorometer) for the measurement of spectral absorption- and attenuation coefficients in organisms and in water (differentiation 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.
Skills:
- Understanding of the relationship between chemical
composition in organisms and their bio-optical
signature in Nature
- Understanding basic optical principles
- Understanding how to interpret bio-optical data &
corresponding signatures
- Understanding marine organism pigmentation routes &
evolution

Learning methods and activities

Where: Auditorium/laboratory at Trondhjem Biologiske Stasjon, Bynesveien 46.
When: End October- end of November every second year (next 2013)
Obligatory activity: Theory, exercises/laboratory/report.

Presentation material are given in English and lectures in Norwegian if all students understand Norwegian. If not, lectures are given in English.

The presentations will be presented, discussed and evaluated until accepted as part of the curriculum for all students (no grades). Written exam in 4 hours.

Compulsory assignments

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

Recommended previous knowledge

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

Course materials

In addition to several compendia and own presentations from field work available on “Its Learning”, the book (cited below) will be the major learning material:


Roy, S., Llewellyn, C., Egeland, E. S , Johnsen, G. 2011. Phytoplankton pigments: Updates on Characterization, Chemotaxonomy and Applications in Oceanography. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge Environmental Chemistry Series. Cambridge, UK. Pp 845. ISBN: 978110700066-7