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On June 4th, 2011, the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex (40°35′25″S 72°07′02″W, Chile) started eruption, sending ash 45,000 feet into the atmosphere. After the initial period, the eruption continued for several months, with less intensity. Changes in global irradiance in the UV-B and UV-A, and direct irradiance and AOD in the UV-A, as consequence of the eruption, were studied. Global irradiance has been permanently measured at the Laboratory of Photobiology (LPh) (41.13S, 71.42W, 804msl) since 1998. In addition, in the frame of a project to study altitude effect on direct and global irradiance, field campaigns were performed during September 17th to 23rd, 2010 and September 14th to 18th, 2011, in the region of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, near 100km from the eruption. In those periods, simultaneous measurements of direct and global irradiance and aerosol optical depth (AOD) were carried out at three sites: Laboratory of Photobiology (LPh), Mt Otto (41.15S, 71.38W, 1386msl) and Mt Catedral (41.17S, 71.48W, 1930msl). The analysis of aerosols in 2011, three to four month after the eruption started, showed the presence of larger particles and more variability than in 2010, at all sites. Global irradiance, at LPh, also exhibited larger variability, compared to 1999, when no eruption or any other event that could have produced major changes in aerosols occurred. The mean decrease, as consequence of the volcano activity, at LPh, was around 20%, at 305nm and closed to 10%, at 320nm. At 380nm, the decrease was very small and not statistically significant, although in particular days, with large aerosol load, a significant decrease was observed. Direct irradiance, in the UV-A, showed larger decrease than global irradiance. The effect of the eruption was more pronounced at the low altitude site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data of Lambertian equivalent reflectivity (LER) in ultraviolet (UV)-A range recorded by Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) series aboard Nimbus 7 and Earth Probe and by Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on EOS Aura have been analyzed over eight Chilean locations spanning from about 18° to 62° S (i.e. including Profesor Julio Escudero station, Antarctic peninsula), covering years 1978–2011. Generally the distribution of the reflectivity is similar for both TOMS datasets. A slightly better agreement has been found for the most southern locations while a small discordance appears for northern locations. The latter could be partly due to actual differences in the cloud cover conditions. On the other hand, OMI LER data differ from TOMS ones in almost all locations. Daily cloud modification factor (CMF) values from ground-based global solar irradiance measurements have been compared with OMI LER-based CMF data. The northernmost and southernmost locations characterized by prevalent clear sky and winter snow conditions, respectively, showed the worse agreement with a correlation coefficient r=0.63 and 0.71, while other stations showed a better correlation (i.e. r=0.83 and r=85). Clear sky ground UV index values for Santiago de Chile have been estimated for years 1979–2011 by means of an empirical reconstruction model based on data recorded by a multichannel radiometer. It allowed computing a ground-based CMF for years 1996–2011 and comparing it with satellite data. Results show that OMI CMF based on gridded cell LER data introduces significant differences with respect to equivalent TOMS CMF. On the contrary, the use of overpass LER data allows to evaluate changes in cloudiness and, by using the model, reconstructing the actual UV index. Nevertheless, LER CMF overestimates actual cloud cover conditions in winter. The trend in reconstructed satellite (ground) based UV index during summer months is +3.3±0.9% (+11.9±2.5%)/decade for years 1979–2011 (1997–2011). Further comparisons concerning the Total Cloud Fraction product of Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) suggest that it could be used a further proxy of cloudiness for UV reconstruction models; nevertheless additional analysis is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several large kelp species are capable of long-distance dispersal via rafting. However, seasonal changes in environmental conditions at the sea surface may variably affect the physiological status of the floating thalli; challenging conditions during summer may accelerate disintegration and cause rapid sinking. We used the bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica from northern-central Chile (30°S) to test seasonal variation in floating persistence. Experiments with tethered specimens were conducted in all seasons to assess how variable environmental conditions influence the morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of floating D. antarctica. Floating specimens stayed afloat at the surface for more than 1 month during moderate environmental conditions that prevailed in winter, spring, and fall. However, higher water temperatures and intense solar radiation in summer resulted in significant biomass losses and rapid disintegration of the floating kelps; consequently, they sank within <1 month. These strong seasonal effects were reflected in decreasing maximal quantum yield as well as in maximum relative electron transport rates of photosynthesis. Understanding physiological responses of floating algae is important because increasing global temperatures and shifts in solar radiation may strongly affect the survival of floating algae, potentially reducing the distances and frequencies of rafting dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The spectral attenuation of solar irradiation was measured during summer in two types of coastal waters in southern Chile, a north Patagonian fjord (Seno Reloncaví) and open coast (Valdivia). In order to relate the light availability with the light requirements of upper subtidal seaweeds, the saturating irradiance for photosynthesis (E k) from P–I curves was measured. In addition the UV risk was assessed. Based on the z 1% of PAR, the lower limit of the euphotic zone in the studied systems averaged 21m (K d 0.24m−1) in Seno Reloncaví and 18m (K d 0.27m−1) in the coast of Valdivia. Photosynthesis of the studied seaweeds was saturated at markedly lower irradiances than found in their natural depths at the time of the study. Solar radiation penetrating into these depths at both locations largely supports the light requirements for the photosynthesis of subtidal species: 50–160μmolm−2 s−1 for seaweeds from Seno Reloncaví (7m tidal range) and 20–115μmolm−2 s−1 for Valdivia assemblages (2m tidal range). Optimal light conditions to saturate photosynthesis (E k) were present at 10–16m water depth. The attenuation of solar irradiation did not vary significantly between the fjord and coastal sites of this study. However, the underwater light climates to which seaweeds are exposed in these sites vary significantly because of the stronger influence of tidal range affecting the fjord system as compared with the open coastal site. The patterns of UV-B penetration in these water bodies suggest that seaweeds living in upper littoral zones such as the intertidal and shallow subtidal (<3m) may be at risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a research study on South Chilean seaweeds, their zonation, morpho-functional patterns and bio-optical and photosynthetic traits. Studied were tidal zone species of seaweed assemblages in the rocky shores of Valdivia, southern Chile including 6 green species, 19 red and 7 brown algae from 4 littoral zones including the supralittoral fringe, midlittoral zone and infralittoral fringe, after which measurements of underwater spectral profiles of solar irradiation in midsummer were recorded, photosynthetic activities measured and photoinhibition of photosynthesis determined through the 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated the attenuation of Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation within the first 2.5 meters of the water column.

• Oxytetracycline is uptaken by Daphnia , leading to sublethal toxic effects. • UV radiation induces lethality via photosensibilization of OTC in tissues of Daphnia. • OTC adsorbs rapidly on cell surface of microalga, without toxic effects. • UV-induced phototoxicity of OTC impairs physiological status of microalga. • Chlorophyll fluorescence method allows observing feeding rate as sublethal response in Daphnia. Antibiotics are considered emerging pollutants as their presence in the environment is increasingly common. Although their environmental concentrations are generally low, they can pose risk to organisms through bioaccumulation, causing sublethal effects. Furthermore, solar radiation can trigger reactions in certain compounds after their accumulation within organisms or in the environment. Toxicity and photoinduced toxicity of oxytetracycline (OTC, widely used antibiotic in salmon aquaculture) on Daphnia magna (Crustacea, Cladocera) and microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae) as its food source was assessed via aqueous exposure. Also, the impact via diet (microalga) to the crustacean was examined. In addition to lethal (immobility) effect, in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence techniques were used to determine food ingestion (gut content as a biomarker of physiological health) in D. magna and physiological status of microalgae. OTC (≤10 mg L −1) was not acutely (24 h) toxic to R. subcapitata when measured as maximum quantum yield (F v /F m) in darkness. However, under short (1 h) UV exposure OTC caused irreversible decrease of F v /F m (50%) at ≥0.5 mg L −1. OTC was not acutely lethal to D. magna (≤10 mg L −1), however, sublethal effects (43% decrease in food ingestion) at 10 mg L −1 were demonstrated. UV exposure (4.5 h) strongly exacerbated toxicity of OTC, leading to lethal (87% immobility) and sublethal (81% decrease of feeding in survived individuals) effects. Uptake of OTC (aqueous exposure) and its photosensitization in tissues of D. magna under UV exposure was confirmed. On the other hand, rapid bioadsorption of OTC on cell surface was evident in R. subcapitata. Uptake of OTC in D. magna through diet could not be confirmed at short-term. Photomodification of OTC under UV exposure was observed through changes in its absorption spectrum. The results show that short exposure to summer UV levels of southern Chile can rapidly induce phototoxicity of OTC, suggesting a potential risk to aquatic organisms. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calafate (Berberis microphylla G. Forst) is a wild bush plant widely distributed in the south of Argentina and Chile. Their blue colored fruits present particular flavor and health benefits attributed to high polyphenol contents biosynthesized by the plant under stress. Studies about correlation of abiotic conditions with anthocyanin profiles and physicochemical features of calafate beneath wild origin environment are not described yet. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate the physicochemical changes, antioxidant activity and anthocyanin content of calafate fruit in relationship to UV solar radiation (W.m−2) and air temperature (°C) environment condition during three consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019). Variations in fruit anthocyanins were determined by comparison between high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD-ESI)/MSn and CIEL*a*b* colors parameters. Correlations were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). Radiation was negatively correlated with fruit size and weight. Physicochemical aspects such as pH, soluble solids, color, total anthocyanins, flavanols and other phenolic compounds were positively correlated with temperature changes. The quantities of monomeric anthocyanins were dependent on both low temperature and global radiation (reaching 20.01 mg g−1 FW in calafate fruit). These results constitute a valuable resource to understand the structural and physiological plasticity of calafate in facing climate changes for future domestication research as well as for agri-food industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of the genus Ulva (Chlorophyta) are regarded as opportunistic organisms, which efficiently adjust their metabolism to the prevailing environmental conditions. In this study, changes in chlorophyll-a fluorescence-based photoinhibition of photosynthesis, electron transport rates, photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant metabolism were investigated during a diurnal cycle of natural solar radiation in summer (for 12 h) under two treatments: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR: 400-700 nm) and PAR+ ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280-700 nm). In the presence of PAR alone, Ulva rigida showed dynamic photoinhibition, and photosynthetic parameters and pigment concentrations decreased with the intensification of the radiation. On the other hand, under PAR+UV conditions a substantial decline up to 43% was detected and an incomplete fluorescence recovery, also, P-I curve values remained low in relation to the initial condition. The phenolic compounds increased their concentration only in UV radiation treatments without showing a correlation with the antioxidant activity. The enzimatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased over 2-fold respect at initial values during the onset of light intensity. In contrast, catalase (CAT) increased its activity rapidly in response to the radiation stress to reach maxima at 10 a.m. and decreasing during solar. The present study suggests that U. rigida is capable of acclimating to natural radiation stress relies on a concerted action of various physiological mechanisms that act at different times of the day and under different levels of environmental stress., (© 2019 Phycological Society of America.)

The Sairecabur volcano (5971 m), in the Atacama Desert, is a high-altitude extreme environment with high daily temperature variations, acidic soils, intense UV radiation, and low availability of water. Four different species of yeasts were isolated from this region using oligotrophic media, identified and characterized for their tolerance to extreme conditions. rRNA sequencing revealed high identity (>98%) to Cryptococcus friedmannii, Exophiala sp., Holtermanniella watticus, and Rhodosporidium toruloides. To our knowledge, this is the first report of these yeasts in the Atacama Desert. All isolates showed high resistance to UV-C, UV-B and environmental-UV radiation, capacity to grow at moderate saline media (0.75-2.25 mol/L NaCl) and at moderate to cold temperatures, being C. friedmannii and H. watticus able to grow in temperatures down to -6.5°C. The presence of pigments, analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, correlated with UV resistance in some cases, but there is evidence that, on the natural environment, other molecular mechanisms may be as important as pigmentation, which has implications for the search of spectroscopic biosignatures on planetary surfaces. Due to the extreme tolerances of the isolated yeasts, these organisms represent interesting eukaryotic models for astrobiological purposes., (© 2015 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)