The Z980 Probe AquaPen is a handheld fluorometer that enables rapid and accurate measurement of photosynthetic parameters in suspensions. It is equipped with a blue measuring light (optional red or white LED is available) that suits investigations of algal suspensions. The measurements are carried out by a submersible optical probe. The AquaPen has high sensitivity (down to 0.5 μg Chl/L) and it can even be used in measurements of natural water samples in the field containing low concentrations of phytoplankton. It is designed for both the lab and field applications and is ideal in teaching.

The Z980 Probe AquaPen includes the chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics protocols for measurements of OJIP, NPQ and Light Curve responses of QY. Data transfer option via Bluetooth and USB communication technology are included. It comes with PC software for data transfer and visualization. With a built-in GPS and rechargable Li-ion batteries it is ideal for use in the field. A cuvette (Z985) version of the AquaPen allows the same chlorophyll fluorescence plus OD (680 and 720nm) measurements in suspension contained in a 4 ml cuvette and placed inside the holder.

Features

Hand-held chlorophyll fluorometer for algal suspensions
Probe may be placed directly in the suspension, including natural bodies of water
Ideal for field studies
High chlorophyll detection sensitivity – down to 0.5 ug chl/L
PC Software and data transfer via USB and Bluetooth included
Li-ion rechargeable battery
GPS module built in

Applications

Photosynthesis research of algae and cyanobacteria
Field studies of algal ponds
Photosynthesis education
Phycology
Limnology
Oceanography
Biotechnology
Phenotyping/Screening of strains

Specifications

Measured/Calculated Parameters:F0 , FT , FM , FM ‘ , QY, OJIP, NPQ1, NPQ2, NOQ3, LC 1, LC 2, LC3,
Actinic and Saturating Light: Adjustable from 0 to 1000 and 3,000 µmol (photons)/m2/s1, respectively
Measuring Light: blue measuring light, adjustable by intensity
Detector Wavelength Range: PIN photodiode with 667 to 750 nm bandpass filters
FluorPen 1.1 Software: for Windows 7, or higher
Memory Capacity: Up to 16 Mb
Communication for data transfer: USB and Bluetooth
Internal Data Logging: Up to 149,000 data points
Display: 2 x 8 characters LC display
Keypad: Sealed, 2-key tactile response
Keypad Escape Time: Turns off after 8 minutes of no use
Power Supply: Li-ion rechargeable battery
Battery Life: 48 hours typical with full operation
Low Battery Detection: Low battery indication displayed
Size: 165 x 65 x 55 mm mm
Weight: 290 g,
Sample Holder: 4 ml cuvette
Operating Conditions: Temperature: 0 to 55ºC; 32 to 130ºF. Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Storage Conditions: Temperature: -10 to +60ºC; 14 to +140ºF. Relative humidity: 0 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

References

GOIRIS K., VAN COLEN W., WILCHES I. ET AL. (2015): Impact of nutrient stress on antioxidant production in three species of microalgae. Algal Research. Volume 7, Pages 51-57. DOI:10.1016/j.algal.2014.12.002
DE MARCHIN T., GHYSELS B., NICOLAY S. ET AL. (2014) Analysis of PSII antenna size heterogeneity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii during state ransitions. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Bioenergetics, Volume 1837, Pages 121-130. DOI:10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.07.009
MALAPASCUA J. R. F., JEREZ C. G., SERGEJEVOVÁ M. ET AL. (2014). Photosynthesis monitoring to optimize growth of microalgal mass cultures: application of chlorophyll fluorescence techniques. Aquatic Biology; Volume 22, Pages 123–140. DOI: 10.3354/ab00597
SALEH M. M., MATORIN D. N., ZAYADAN B. K. ET AL. (2014). Differentiation between two strains of microalga Parachlorella kessleriusing modern spectroscopic method. Botanical Studies, Pages 55-53. DOI: 10.1186/s40529-014-0053-7
THRANE J. E., HESSEN D. O. AND ANDERSEN T. (2014). The Absorption of Light in Lakes: Negative Impact of Dissolved Organic Carbon on Primary Productivity; Ecosystems. Volume 17: Pages 1040–1052. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-014-9776-2
THOMMER G., LEYNAERT A., KLEIN C. ET AL. (2013). Phytoplankton phosphorus limitation in a North Atlantic coastal ecosystem not predicted by nutrient load. Journal of Plankton Research. 0(0). Pages 1 – 13. DOI:10.1093/plankt/fbt070
LAZÁR D, MURCH S. J., BEILBY M. J. ET AL. (2013). Exogenous melatonin affects photosynthesis in characeae Chara australis; Plant Signaling and Behavior. Volume 8(3): e23279. DOI: 10.4161/psb.23279
CAMERON J. C., WILSON S. C., BERNSTEIN S. L. ET AL. (2013). Biogenesis of a Bacterial Organelle: The Carboxysome Assembly Pathway;; Cell, Volume 155, Issue 5, Pages 1131-1140. DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2013.10.044
FIGUEROA F. L., JEREZ C. G. AND KORBEE N. (2013). Use of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence to estimate photosynthetic activity and biomass productivity in microalgae grown in different culture systems. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research. Volume 41, no. 5, Pages 801-819. DOI: 103856/vol41-issue5-fulltext-1
OSANAI T., KUWAHARA A., IIJIMA H.ET AL. (2013). Pleiotropic effect of sigE over-expression on cell morphology, photosynthesis and hydrogen production in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803; The Plant Journal. Volume 76, Pages 456–465. DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12310
ZAKERI H. A. AND BAKAR L. A. (2013). Copper-, Lead- and Mercury-Induced Changes in Maximum Quantum Yield, Chlorophyll A Content and Relative Growth of Three Malaysian Green Macroalgae; Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences. Voume 9, Pages 16-21.
ALAMI M, LAZAR D AND GREEN B. R. (2012). The harmful alga AUREOCOCCUS ANOPHAGEFFERENS utilizes 19′-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin as well as xanthophyll cycle carotenoids in acclimating to higher light intensities;; Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Bioenergetics; Volume 1817, Issue 9, Pages 1557–1564 DOI:10.1016/j.bbabio.2012.05.006
LELONG A., HÉGARET H. AND SOUDANT P. (2011). Cell-based measurements to assess physiological status of Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries, a toxic diatom; Research in Microbiology, Volume 162, Issue 9, Pages 969-98. DOI:10.1016/j.resmic.2011.06.005
STALEY Z. R., ROHR J. R. AND HARWOOD V. J.( 2011). Test of Direct and Indirect Effects of Agrochemicals on the Survival of Fecal Indicator Bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Pages 8765–8774. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.06044-11
Q.T. GAO AND N.F.Y. TAM. (2011). Growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant responses of two microalgal species, CHLORELLA VULGARIS and SELENASTRUM CAPRICORNUTUM, to nonylphenol stress. Chemosphere; Volume 82, Issue 3, Pages 346–354. DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.10.010
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OJIP parameters

Bckg = background
F₀: = F50µs; fluorescence intensity at 50 µs
F_J: = fluorescence intensity at j-step (at 2 ms)
F_i: = fluorescence intensity at i-step (at 60 ms)
F_M: = maximal fluorescence intensity
F_V: = F_M – F₀ (maximal variable fluorescence)
V_J = (F_J – F₀) / (F_M – F₀)
V_i = (F_i – F₀) / (F_M – F₀)
F_M / F₀
F_V / F₀
F_V/ F_M
M₀ or (dV / dt)₀ = TR₀ / RC – ET₀ / RC = 4 (F₃₀₀ – F₀) / (F_M – F₀)
Area = area between fluorescence curve and F_M (background subtracted)
Fix Area = total area above the OJIP fluorescence transient – between F_40µ and F_1s(background subtracted)
S_M = area / F_M – F₀ (multiple turn-over)
S_s = the smallest Sm turn-over (single turn-over)
N = S_M . M₀ . (1 / V_J) turn-over number Q_A
Phi_P₀ = 1 – (F₀ / F_M (or F_V / F_M)
Psi_₀ = 1 – V_J
Phi_E₀ = (1 – F₀ / F_M)) . Psi_₀
Phi_D₀ = 1 – Phi_P₀ – (F₀ / F_M)
Phi_Pav = Phi_P₀ – (S_M / t_FM); t_FM) = Time to reach F_M (in ms)
ABS / RC = M₀ . (1 / V_J) . (1 / Phi_P₀)
TR₀ / RC = M₀ . (1 / V_J)
ET₀ / RC = M₀ . (1 / V_J) . Phi_₀)
DI₀ / RC = (ABS / RC) – (TR₀ / RC)

Formulas Derived From:
R.J. Strasser, A. Srivastava and M. Tsimilli-Michael (2000): The fluorescence transient as a tool to characterize and screen photosynthetic samples. In: Probing Photosynthesis: Mechanism, Regulation and Adaptation (M. Yunus, U. Pathre and P. Mohanty, eds.), Taylor and Francis, UK, Chapter 25, pp 445-483.

NPQ and Light Curve Protocols

Three predefined NPQ protocols differing in the duration of light exposure and dark recovery phase as well as in the number of intervals between the pulses
Typically used for quantification of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching in dark-adapted samples
NPQ 1 protocol: light duration 60s, 5 pulses; dark recovery duration 88s, 3 pulses
NPQ 2 protocol: light duration 200s, 10 pulses; dark recovery duration 390s, 7 pulses
NPQ3 protocol:light duration 200s, 10 pulses; dark recovery duration 60s, 2 pulses

Three predefined protocols differing in number and duration of light phases and light intensities
Based on pulse modulated fluorometry (PAM)
The effective quantum yields of photosynthesis are determined under various light intensities of continuous illumination.
Light response curve relating the rate of photosynthesis to photon flux density
LC1 protocol: 6 phases with 60s duration (10, 20, 50, 100, 300, 500 uE)
LC2 protocol: 5 phases with 30s duration (100, 200, 300, 500, 1000uE)
LC3 protocol: 7 phases with 60s duration (10, 20, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000uE)