Diatoms are one of the major primary producers in the ocean, responsible annually for ~20% of photosynthetically fixed CO₂on Earth. In oceanic models, they are typically represented as large (>20 µm) microphytoplankton. However, many diatoms belong to the nanophytoplankton (2–20 µm) and a few species even overlap with the picoplanktonic size-class (<2 µm). Due to their minute size and difficulty of detection they are poorly characterized. Here we describe a massive spring bloom of the smallest known diatom (Minidiscus) in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Analysis ofTaraOceans data, together with literature review, reveal a general oversight of the significance of these small diatoms at the global scale. We further evidence that they can reach the seafloor at high sinking rates, implying the need to revise our classical binary vision of pico- and nanoplanktonic cells fueling the microbial loop, while only microphytoplankton sustain secondary trophic levels and carbon export.

Studying how natural phytoplankton adjust their photosynthetic properties to the quantity and quality of underwater light (i.e. light climate) is essential to understand primary production. A wavelength-dependent photoacclimation strategy was assessed using a multi-color pulse-amplitude-modulation chlorophyll fluorometer for phytoplankton samples collected in the spring at 19 locations across the English Channel. The functional absorption cross section of photosystem II, photosynthetic electron transport (PET_λ) parameters and non-photochemical quenching were analyzed using an original approach with a sequence of three statistical analyses. Linear mixed-effects models using wavelength as a longitudinal variable were first applied to distinguish the fixed effect of the population from the random effect of individuals. Population and individual trends of wavelength-dependent PET_λ parameters were consistent with photosynthesis and photoacclimation theories. The natural phytoplankton communities studied were in a photoprotective state for blue wavelengths (440 and 480 nm), but not for other wavelengths (green (540 nm), amber (590 nm) and light red (625 nm)). Population-detrended PET_λ values were then used in multivariate analyses (partial triadic analysis and redundancy analysis) to study ecological implications of PET_λ dynamics among water masses. Two wavelength ratios based on the microalgae saturation parameter E_k (in relative and absolute units), related to the hydrodynamic regime and underwater light climate, clearly confirmed the physiological state of microalgae. They also illustrate more accurately that natural phytoplankton communities can implement photoacclimation processes that are influenced by in situ light quality during the daylight cycle in temporarily and weakly stratified water. Ecological implications and consequences of PET_λ are discussed in the context of turbulent coastal ecosystems.

Dépendance spectrale de la photosynthèse du phytoplancton : processus de photorégulation et de photoacclimatation en mer côtières: La photorégulation et la photoacclimatation du phytoplancton sont contrôlées par les variations du climat lumineux (c'est-à-dire la quantité et la qualité de la lumière) à différentes échelles temporelles et spatiales. Dans les zones côtières telles que la Manche, le climat lumineux est affecté par l'hydrodynamisme et les apports fluviaux. D'une part, le fort hydrodynamisme conduit à des processus de resuspension et à un intense mélange vertical, transportant les cellules à travers la couche euphotique et au-delà, dans la couche disphotique. D'autre part, les débits importants des rivières génèrent une augmentation de la turbidité avec les matières en suspension et avec la matière organique dissoute dans le carbone (CDOM). Tous ces processus induisent une diminution de la pénétration de la lumière dans la colonne d'eau et une modification générale du climat lumineux. Par exemple, le CDOM absorbe mieux les longueurs d'onde du bleu.Les processus de dépendance spectrale du phytoplancton tels que la photoregulation et la photoacclimation ont été étudiés pour la première fois sur des communautés naturelles grâce à un fluorimètre multispectral de nouvelle génération appelé MULTI-COLOR-PAM (Walz). Les relations photosynthèses-énergie (PE) ont été mesurées après une longue période d’acclimatation au noir à 5 longueurs d’onde, ainsi que le coefficient d’absorption fonctionnel de la lumière des photosystèmes II (Sigma(II)λ). Le développement d'un protocole original d'analyse de données combinant les techniques de Modèles linéaires à effets mixtes (LME), l'analyse triadique principale (PTA) et les analyses de redondance (RDA) a permis d'analyser un ensemble de données unique et complexe ainsi que de mettre en évidence la dépendance aux longueurs d'onde des processus photosynthétiques à différentes échelles spatiales et temporelles.