Sodium Dependent Photosynthetic Oxygen Evolution in a Marine Diatom

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Abstract
Photosynthetic oxygen evolution in air-equilibrated cultures of Phaeodactylum tricornutum is dependent on the presence of sodium, but not potassium; sodium cannot be replaced by either potassium, lithium or ammonium. Respiration is not sodium dependent. At constant CO2 concentrations the depression of oxygen evolution in the absence of sodium is more pronounced at pH 8.0 than at pH 6.5 and it is concluded that sodium facilitates the utilization of bicarbonate. Sodium increases the affinity of Phaeodactylum for inorganic carbon as does growth at low inorganic carbon concentrations.