Synergistic effects of temperature and light on photoprotection in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Diatoms dominate phytoplankton communities in turbulent waters, where light fluctuations can be frequent and intense. Due to this complex environment, these heterokont microalgae display remarkable photoprotection strategies, including a fast Non-Photochemical Quenching (NPQ). However, in nature, several abiotic parameters (such as temperature) can influence the response of photosynthetic organisms to light stress in a synergistic or antagonistic manner.