The project investigates fundamental links between the microscale organization of aquatic photosynthetic tissues and biofilm communities, their bio-optical properties and quantum efficiency.
A central question is:

Do aquatic photosynthetic tissues and biofilm communities exhibit similar links between structure and function as found in terrestrial plants and canopies?

Based on a detailed characterization of how incident irradiance is absorbed, scattered and dissipated via photosynthesis and non-photochemical energy dissipation (fluorescence and heat), complete energy budgets will be constructed and related to the micro-structural organization of cells and chloroplasts in aquatic plant tissue, compact photosynthetic biofilms, and coral tissue harboring photosymbionts.

The experimental approach is based on advanced microsensor and bioimaging methodology, and involves detailed analyses linking microstructural heterogeneity to the performance and efficiency of surface associated aquatic phototrophs.

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