Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Ga Gigaannum: 10
9
years
H
2
O Water
H
2
O
2
Hydrogen peroxide
MAAs Mycosporine-like amino acids
1
O
2
Singlet state of oxygen
3
O
2
Triplet state of oxygen
O
2
•−
Superoxide radical anion
OEC Oxygen-evolving complex
POM Particulate organic matter
PSI Photosystem I
PSII Photosystem II
ROS Reactive oxygen species
Rubisco Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase-Oxygenase
UV
Ultraviolet
WOC
Water-oxidizing complex
Problems
1. Define oxygenic photosynthesis and how does it differ from anoxygenic
photosynthesis. Explain three key functions of photosynthesis in aquatic
environments.
2. Define the key photosynthetic reactions under the hypotheses of H
2
O and
H
2
O
2
involvement.
3. Which and how many Chl molecules can participate in the primary donor
sites in PSI and PS II under illumination?
4. Explain the mechanism of H
2
O
2
formation from chlorophyll bound in photo-
synthetic cells and ultrapure water under illumination.
5. Why are PSI and PSII composed of a number of chlorophyll molecules in
their structures?
6. Explain the mechanism of electron transfer and O
2
release from PSII during
photosynthesis.
7. Distinguish the various factors that influence photosynthesis. How do sea-
sonal light cycle and temperature affect photosynthesis?
8.
Why do precipitation/rainfall substantially enhance plant photosynthesis?
9.
Explain the mechanism for the occurrence of algal (cyanobacterial) bloom
in waters with high contents of DOM and POM. How does global warming
accelerate the algal bloom in natural waters?
10.
How do trace metal ions become toxic during phytoplankton photosynthesis?
Explain the mechanism.
11.
Explain how does salinity affect both plant and phytoplankton photosynthesis.
12.
How can UV radiation affect phytoplankton photosynthesis?
13.
How does metal toxicity impact organisms or induce cancer in humans?
