This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Open AccessArticle
The Effects of Inorganic Carbon and Irradiance on the Photosynthetic Performance and Growth of the Macroalga Sargassum horneri
1
Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City 20224, Taiwan
2
Center of Excellence for the Ocean, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City 20224, Taiwan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2025, 17(24), 3528; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243528 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 19 August 2025
/
Revised: 27 November 2025
/
Accepted: 5 December 2025
/
Published: 12 December 2025
Abstract
Sargassum horneri is a highly productive macroalgal species capable of assimilating dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and converting CO2 into carbohydrates, making it a promising solution for carbon capture and biomass enhancement. Owing to its wide distribution and natural abundance, the utilization of S. horneri may help mitigate rising oceanic CO2 concentrations. This study evaluated the combined effects of inorganic carbon availability (2000, 4000, and 8000 μM NaHCO3) and irradiance (100, 150, and 200 µmol photons m−2 s−1) on photosynthetic performance and growth across short-term (24 h) and long-term (4-week) experimental trials. Carbon enrichment and light intensity interacted to significantly influence growth and carbon assimilation. The highest growth rate (35.83 ± 3.95%) was observed under 8000 μM DIC (0.75 g L−1) at 200 µmol photons m−2 s−1, corresponding to an optimal mean growth condition of 19 ± 0.04% (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that elevated inorganic carbon enhances photosynthetic efficiency by supplying sufficient substrate for carbon fixation, thereby supporting the feasibility of Sargassum horneri as a viable species for CO2 absorption and carbon capture applications.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Wungen-Sani, J.; Yeh, H.-Y.; Chen, Y.-J.; Nan, F.-H.; Lee, M.-C.
The Effects of Inorganic Carbon and Irradiance on the Photosynthetic Performance and Growth of the Macroalga Sargassum horneri. Water 2025, 17, 3528.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243528
AMA Style
Wungen-Sani J, Yeh H-Y, Chen Y-J, Nan F-H, Lee M-C.
The Effects of Inorganic Carbon and Irradiance on the Photosynthetic Performance and Growth of the Macroalga Sargassum horneri. Water. 2025; 17(24):3528.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243528
Chicago/Turabian Style
Wungen-Sani, Jane, Han-Yang Yeh, Yi-Jung Chen, Fan-Hua Nan, and Meng-Chou Lee.
2025. "The Effects of Inorganic Carbon and Irradiance on the Photosynthetic Performance and Growth of the Macroalga Sargassum horneri" Water 17, no. 24: 3528.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243528
APA Style
Wungen-Sani, J., Yeh, H.-Y., Chen, Y.-J., Nan, F.-H., & Lee, M.-C.
(2025). The Effects of Inorganic Carbon and Irradiance on the Photosynthetic Performance and Growth of the Macroalga Sargassum horneri. Water, 17(24), 3528.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243528
Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details
here.
Article Metrics
Article Access Statistics
For more information on the journal statistics, click
here.
Multiple requests from the same IP address are counted as one view.
