Annual variation of pigments in marine red-, brown- and green macroalgae

Samples from three macroalgal groups (Palmaria palmata - Rhodophyta, Laminaria saccharina - Phaeophyta and Ulva sp. - Chlorophyta) were collected at a time series station at 3 meters depth in the Trondheim fjord (63°N) each month for a period of one year (02.02.2002-01.03.2003). Variation in pigmentation was measured as a function of key environmental variables such as irradiance, temperature, salinity and tidal changes. The macroalgal tissue were extracted and pigment composition was identified and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Both new and old tissue from red and brown algae were examined. It was found that the pigment content in new and old tissue varied significantly due to the examined macroalgae and its autotrophic epiphytes, this was particularly notable in the red algae P. palmata. Noteworthy differences in the pigment amount during the year was also found (including epiflora), with the highest pigment content pr carbon dry weight (biomass) in the late winter (February- April).