Year
2024
Season
Summer
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology (MS)
Department
Biology
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Biology
Committee Chairperson
Dr. Dale A. Casamatta
Second Advisor
Dr. Eric G. Johnson
Rights Statement
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Third Advisor
Dr. Kelly J. Smith
Department Chair
Dr. Cliff Ross
College Dean
Dr. Kaveri Subrahmanyam
Abstract
Abstract
Freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global water quality issue. Algae, especially cyanobacteria, are integrally associated with complex microbial assemblages, which cycle nutrients, provide microenvironments, breakdown potentially harmful molecules, etc. However, these same microbial consortia are competitors or even inhibitors to algae in these systems. One potential biological control is Rhodospirillum rubrum, a Gram- proteobacterium. To evaluate its capacity for HAB mitigation, experimental mesocosms were inoculated with a native assortment of algae and R. rubrum and grown for 2-months. Relative Fluorescence Units (RFU), Ash Free Dry Mass, and eukaryotic (23S rDNA) metabarcoding were conducted to estimate algal abundance and community composition. The RFU was influenced by treatment (Kruskal-Wallis, pR. rubrum addition (p>0.05), and R. rubrum lowered algal abundance directly after application. However, more studies on R. rubrum are needed before application as a biological control, but the employment of R. rubrum may be a potential control in some HAB scenarios.
Suggested Citation
Patterson Holsworth, Aubrey C., "Can a phycosphere associated bacterium be used as a biological control for floating algal mats?" (2024). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1283.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1283
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