English Abstract The depletion of the ozone layer through actions of
f.i. chlorine containing catalysts is expected to result in an increased
UV-B irradiance. Since phytoplankton is known to be sensitive to this
radiation, effects on global primary production cannot be excluded. The
preliminary results in semi-continuous culture experiments indicated that
algae differ widely in their response to UV-B radiation. Desmid - and
diatom species were much more sensible than green algae. Furthermore the
experiments emphasized the importance of an accurate dosimetry, so the next
step was to build a continuous culture system with steering software to
simulate natural photosynthetic light regimes and UV-B simultaneously, and
study the effect on growth rate, and other physiological parameters. The
culture system was designed to allow for exact quantification of the UV-B
exposure. Finally a list of publications is presented that were necessary
to build the system and its steering components, and gave background
information on reactions of both photosynthetic light and UV-B radiation on
phytoplankton.
