Optical characteristics of the phototroph Thiocapsa roseoparsicina and implications for real-time monitoring of the bacteriochlorophyll concentration

Optical characteristics of a Thiocapsa roseopersicina culture and environme ntal samples containing T. roseopersicina were investigated in the spectral range of 400 to 1,100 nm (absorption coefficient, diffuse attenuation coef ficient, and reflectance). Specific absorption coefficients of T, roseopers icina at wavelengths of 480, 520, 550, 580, 805, 860, and 880 nm were deter mined. It is suggested that the optical properties of T. roseopersicina in the near-infrared range of 800 to 930 nm, confirmed in this study, may be u sed for development of remote sensing techniques for real-time monitoring o f T. roseopersicina and other bacteriochlorophyll a-containing microbes.