Pigment composition and concentrations within the plant (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) component of the STS-89 C.E.B.A.S. Mini-Module spaceflight experiment.
The Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System (C.E.B.A.S.) Mini-Module, a Space Shuttle middeck locker payload which supports a variety of aquatic inhabitants (fish, snails, plants and bacteria) in an enclosed 8.6 L chamber, was tested for its biological stability in microgravity. The aquatic plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., was critical for the vitality and functioning of this artificial mini-ecosystem. Its photosynthetic pigment concentrations were of interest due to their light harvesting and protective functions. "Post-flight" chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations within Ceratophyllum apical segments were directly related to the quantities of light received in the experiments, with microgravity exposure (STS-89) failing to account for any significant deviation from ground control studies.
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Faculty of Biology, C.E.B.A.S. Center of Excellence, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, FRG.
Levine
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Levine
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Blum
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D017756:Aquaculture; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008027:Light; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013026:Space Flight; D014893:Weightlessness
D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002338:Carotenoids; D010100:Oxygen