Post on 12-Feb-2016
description
Phytoplankton, Macroalgae, Phytoplankton, Macroalgae, and Eutrophication Problems and Eutrophication Problems
in the Baysin the BaysSubproject # 2—Phytoplankton and Macroalgal Subproject # 2—Phytoplankton and Macroalgal
Studies in MD Coastal BaysStudies in MD Coastal Bays
Dr. Madhumi MitraDr. Madhumi MitraAssociate Professor of Biological and Environmental Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental
SciencesSciencesCoordinator of Biology and Chemistry EducationCoordinator of Biology and Chemistry Education
7/18/127/18/12E-mail: mmitra@umes.eduE-mail: mmitra@umes.edu
ALGAEALGAEStudy of Algae--Study of Algae--
PhycologyPhycology How are algae similar to higher plants?How are algae similar to higher plants?
How are algae different from higher How are algae different from higher plants?plants?
FOSSIL HISTORY OF FOSSIL HISTORY OF ALGAEALGAE
3.5 billion yrs ago3.5 billion yrs ago Cyanobacteria—first algaeCyanobacteria—first algae Prokaryotes—lack membrane bound Prokaryotes—lack membrane bound
organellesorganelles Later eukaryotes evolved—Later eukaryotes evolved—
mitochondria, chloroplasts, and mitochondria, chloroplasts, and chromosomes containing DNA.chromosomes containing DNA.
SimilaritiesSimilarities
Presence of cell wall—mostly Presence of cell wall—mostly cellulosic.cellulosic.
Autotrophs/Primary producers—Autotrophs/Primary producers—carry out photosynthesiscarry out photosynthesis
Presence of chlorophyll aPresence of chlorophyll a
DifferencesDifferences Algae lack the roots, stems, leaves, and other Algae lack the roots, stems, leaves, and other
structures typical of true plants. structures typical of true plants. Algae do not have vascular tissues—non Algae do not have vascular tissues—non
vascular plantsvascular plants Algae do not form embryos within protective Algae do not form embryos within protective
coverings.coverings. Variations in pigments.Variations in pigments. Variations in cell structure—unicellular, colonial Variations in cell structure—unicellular, colonial
and multicellular forms.and multicellular forms.
PROKARYOTIC VS PROKARYOTIC VS EUKARYOTIC ALGAEEUKARYOTIC ALGAE
ProkaryotesProkaryotes---No nuclear region and ---No nuclear region and
complex organelles—complex organelles—chloroplasts, mitochondria, chloroplasts, mitochondria, golgi bodies, and golgi bodies, and endoplasmic reticula.endoplasmic reticula.
-- -- Cyanobacteria. Chlorophylls Cyanobacteria. Chlorophylls are on internal membranes of are on internal membranes of flattened vesicles called flattened vesicles called thylakoids-contain thylakoids-contain photosynthetic pigments. photosynthetic pigments. Phycobiliproteins occur in Phycobiliproteins occur in granular structures called granular structures called phycobilisomes.phycobilisomes.
Prokaryote algal cellProkaryote algal cell
Source: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/webb/BOT311/Cyanobacteria/Cyanobacteria.htm
Prokaryotic and Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic AlgaeEukaryotic Algae
EukaryotesEukaryotes
---Distinct chloroplast, ---Distinct chloroplast, nuclear region and nuclear region and complex organelles.complex organelles.
--- Thylakoids are --- Thylakoids are grouped into grana grouped into grana
granum with aStack of thylakoids
pyrenoid
DIVERSITY IN ALGAEDIVERSITY IN ALGAE BODY OF AN BODY OF AN
ALGA=THALLUSALGA=THALLUS
DIVERSITY IN DIVERSITY IN MORPHOLOGYMORPHOLOGY
----MICROSCOPIC----MICROSCOPICUnicellular, Colonial, Unicellular, Colonial, and Filamentous and Filamentous forms.forms.
Source: http://images.google.com/images
CELLULAR CELLULAR ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION
Flagella=organs of Flagella=organs of locomotion.locomotion.
Chloroplast=site of Chloroplast=site of photosynthesis. Thylakoids photosynthesis. Thylakoids are present in the chloroplast. are present in the chloroplast. The pigments are present in The pigments are present in the thylakoids.the thylakoids.
Pyrenoid-structure associated Pyrenoid-structure associated with chloroplast. Contains with chloroplast. Contains RUBP Carboxylase, proteins, RUBP Carboxylase, proteins, and carbohydrates.and carbohydrates.
Eye-spot=part of chloroplast. Eye-spot=part of chloroplast. Directs the cell towards light.Directs the cell towards light.
Source: A Biology of the AlgaeBy Philip Sze, third edition, WCB MCGraw-Hill
Variations in the pigment Variations in the pigment constitutionconstitution
Chlorophylls (green)Chlorophylls (green) Carotenoids (brown, yellow or red)Carotenoids (brown, yellow or red) Phycobilins (red pigment-phycoerythrinPhycobilins (red pigment-phycoerythrin
blue pigment –blue pigment –phycocyanin)phycocyanin)
ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITYECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY LAND---WATERLAND---WATER FRESH WATER---MARINE HABITATSFRESH WATER---MARINE HABITATS FLOATING (PLANKTONIC)—BENTHIC FLOATING (PLANKTONIC)—BENTHIC
(BOTTOM DWELLERS)(BOTTOM DWELLERS) EPIPHYTESEPIPHYTES
PHYTOPLANKTONPHYTOPLANKTON AutotrophicAutotrophic Free-floatersFree-floaters MicroscopicMicroscopic Mostly unicellular although some are Mostly unicellular although some are
colonial and filamentouscolonial and filamentous
CLASSIFICATIONCLASSIFICATION PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton----Picoplankton-0.2 to 2----Picoplankton-0.2 to 2µmµm----Nanoplankton-2.0 to 20----Nanoplankton-2.0 to 20µmµm----Microplankton-20 to 200----Microplankton-20 to 200µmµmPicoplankton are important contributors to primary productivity Picoplankton are important contributors to primary productivity
of plankton. Biomass in surface waters range from 40-50Pg of plankton. Biomass in surface waters range from 40-50Pg C/year (P=peta, and 1 Pg is equivalent to 10 C/year (P=peta, and 1 Pg is equivalent to 10 1515 g). g).
CYANOPHYTA, CHLOROPHYTA, PYRRHOPHYTA, CYANOPHYTA, CHLOROPHYTA, PYRRHOPHYTA, CRYPTOPHYTA, CHRYSOPHYTA, CRYPTOPHYTA, CHRYSOPHYTA, BACILLARIOPHYCEAEBACILLARIOPHYCEAE
LIGHTLIGHT
Irradiance is inversely proportional to water Irradiance is inversely proportional to water depth. depth.
COMPENSATION DEPTHCOMPENSATION DEPTH --- Different --- Different species have different compensation species have different compensation depths. Rate of photosynthesis equals rate depths. Rate of photosynthesis equals rate of respiration. No production of biomass of respiration. No production of biomass takes place. Cells below the compensation takes place. Cells below the compensation depth are unable to grow and deplete their depth are unable to grow and deplete their resources. resources.
NUTRIENTSNUTRIENTS
Nutrient concentrations vary in Nutrient concentrations vary in different bodies of water. different bodies of water.
EUTROPHYEUTROPHY-Nutrient enrichment -Nutrient enrichment OLIGOTROPHYOLIGOTROPHY-Low nutrient -Low nutrient
level level Macroelements-C, H, O, S, K, Ca, Mg, P, Macroelements-C, H, O, S, K, Ca, Mg, P,
and N. and N. Microelements-cofactors-Fe, Mn, Cu, Microelements-cofactors-Fe, Mn, Cu,
Zn, Mb. Si is required by all diatoms.Zn, Mb. Si is required by all diatoms.
Limiting Nutrients for Limiting Nutrients for GrowthGrowth
Nitrogen---NNitrogen---N22, NH, NH44++, NO, NO33
--, NO, NO22--, and urea., and urea.
Phosphorus---Inorganic phosphate can Phosphorus---Inorganic phosphate can occur in a number of forms occur in a number of forms (HPO(HPO44
2-2-,PO,PO443-3-;and H;and H22POPO44
--
Sulfur—SOSulfur—SO442-2-,H,H22SS
NITROGEN FIXATION IN NITROGEN FIXATION IN CYANOBACTERIACYANOBACTERIA
Reference:Biology of AlgaeBy Sze
NITROGENNITROGEN Nitrate is the primary source of nitrogen Nitrate is the primary source of nitrogen
utilized by algaeutilized by algae Nitrate----(nitrate reductase)Nitrate----(nitrate reductase)Nitrite---Nitrite---
(nitrite reductase)--(nitrite reductase)--Ammonium.Ammonium. Ammonium is utilized in cell metabolism.Ammonium is utilized in cell metabolism.
PHOSPHORUSPHOSPHORUS Phosphate in different formsPhosphate in different forms Organic phosphates---broken down by Organic phosphates---broken down by
phosphatases in the membrane of algae. phosphatases in the membrane of algae.
FLOATING AND SINKINGFLOATING AND SINKING
Photosynthesis goes up Accumulation of polysaccharides
Gas vesicles collapse
Buoyancy decreases Cells sinkPhotosynthesis
decreases
Increased vacuolation
Buoyancy increases Cells rise
DIVERSITY IN ALGAEDIVERSITY IN ALGAE
Photos are by Dr. Mitra’s Research Group. These pictures are not to be used for any purpose without Dr. Mitra’s approval.
MACROALGAE
WHAT ARE SEAWEEDS?WHAT ARE SEAWEEDS?
Macroalgae found in estuarine and marine Macroalgae found in estuarine and marine environments.environments.
Non-vascular, multicellular, and photosynthetic Non-vascular, multicellular, and photosynthetic plants.plants.
ChlorophytaChlorophyta, , RhodophytaRhodophyta, and , and PhaeophyceaePhaeophyceae ---wall chemistry, chloroplast structures and ---wall chemistry, chloroplast structures and pigmentation, arrangement of flagella in motile pigmentation, arrangement of flagella in motile cells, and life cycles.cells, and life cycles.
Found in polar, tropical, and temperate waters Found in polar, tropical, and temperate waters around the globe.around the globe.
WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT SEAWEEDS?SEAWEEDS?
Primary producers-important Primary producers-important role in the marine trophic role in the marine trophic structurestructure
Calcareous seaweeds –major Calcareous seaweeds –major contributors to the structure of contributors to the structure of coral reefs (they can make up coral reefs (they can make up 30% of the reef). 30% of the reef). PorolithonPorolithon and and LithophyllumLithophyllum
Mangroves and seagrass Mangroves and seagrass beds—seaweeds can provide beds—seaweeds can provide a rich source of food for a rich source of food for detritus feeders such as detritus feeders such as fiddler crabs. These fiddler crabs. These seaweeds can also be seaweeds can also be important food sources for important food sources for amphipods and isopods.amphipods and isopods. Gracilaria-epiphyte of Zostera marina
Photo: Dr. Mitra
WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT SEAWEEDS?SEAWEEDS?
Seaweeds that are edible are called Seaweeds that are edible are called “seavegetables”“seavegetables”
Health-promoting/medicinal properties Health-promoting/medicinal properties (treatment of cancers, heart diseases, (treatment of cancers, heart diseases, rheumatism, blood sugar, and flu)rheumatism, blood sugar, and flu)
Effective fertilizers, soil conditioners, and are a Effective fertilizers, soil conditioners, and are a source of livestock feedsource of livestock feed
Used in wide range of products from ice cream Used in wide range of products from ice cream to fabric dyes.to fabric dyes.
WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT SEAWEEDS?SEAWEEDS?
Used as “biological scrubbers”—Used as “biological scrubbers”—UlvaUlva Gels from seaweeds—Agar is derived from red Gels from seaweeds—Agar is derived from red
seaweeds (seaweeds (GelidiumGelidium, , GracilariaGracilaria, , Hypnea, Hypnea, and and PterocladiaPterocladia). It is used in microbiological ). It is used in microbiological growth medium and food industry. growth medium and food industry. Carrageenans are obtained from Carrageenans are obtained from ChondrusChondrus and and GigartinaGigartina. Alginates are found in the cell . Alginates are found in the cell walls of many brown seaweeds. Primary walls of many brown seaweeds. Primary sources are sources are MacrocystisMacrocystis, , AscophyllumAscophyllum, and , and LaminariaLaminaria..
ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMECOLOGICAL PROBLEMNutrient and sediment loads
Eutrophication
Development of opportunistic and tolerant micro and macroalgae
Environmental conditions become unfavorable and algae die anddecompose
Large biomass
Recycling of nutrientsand pollutants in the ecosystem
Increasein herbivore population
toxicity rises
Water quality deteriorates
Anoxia
Death oforganisms
Photosynthesis declines
Courtesy: Dr. Mitra
Water acidification
IMPACTS OF SEAWEED IMPACTS OF SEAWEED BLOOMSBLOOMS
Benthic macroalgae have a low C/N Benthic macroalgae have a low C/N content (rich in nitrogen and low in content (rich in nitrogen and low in structural carbohydrates). Their structural carbohydrates). Their decomposition can stimulate bacterial decomposition can stimulate bacterial activity. This can result in sediment activity. This can result in sediment resuspension and high turbidity.resuspension and high turbidity.
IMPACTS OF SEAWEED IMPACTS OF SEAWEED BLOOMSBLOOMS
Light availability—incident irradiation was attenuated. Light availability—incident irradiation was attenuated. PRIMARY EFFECTPRIMARY EFFECT
SECONDARY EFFECTSSECONDARY EFFECTS ---- Increase in ammonium concentrations within ---- Increase in ammonium concentrations within
macroalgal mats. These levels may be toxic to eelgrass macroalgal mats. These levels may be toxic to eelgrass (van Katwijk et al. 1997).(van Katwijk et al. 1997).
----- Increase in sediment sulfide concentrations resulting ----- Increase in sediment sulfide concentrations resulting from decaying macroalgal layer. Sediment sulfide can from decaying macroalgal layer. Sediment sulfide can reduce photosynthesis. reduce photosynthesis.
----Anoxia. High sulfide and low oxygen concentrations can ----Anoxia. High sulfide and low oxygen concentrations can reduce growth and production of seagrasses by reduce growth and production of seagrasses by decreasing nutrient uptake and plant energy status.decreasing nutrient uptake and plant energy status.
TYPES OF SEAWEEDSTYPES OF SEAWEEDS(MORPHOLOGICAL TYPES)(MORPHOLOGICAL TYPES)
Sheet likeSheet like Filamentous groupFilamentous group Coarsely branched groupCoarsely branched group Thick-leathery groupThick-leathery group Jointed calcareous groupJointed calcareous group Crustose groupCrustose group
SHEET GROUPSHEET GROUP
Thin, tubular or Thin, tubular or sheetlike.sheetlike.
Soft Soft Photosynthetic Photosynthetic
activity-highactivity-high Toughness-lowToughness-low Examples: Examples: Ulva, Ulva,
Enteromorpha, Enteromorpha, PorphyraPorphyra..
Photos: Dr. Mitra’s Lab
Ulva lactuca
Enteromorpha intestinalis
FILAMENTOUS GROUPFILAMENTOUS GROUP Delicate branchesDelicate branches Texture-SoftTexture-Soft Photosynthetic Photosynthetic
activity-moderateactivity-moderate Toughness-lowToughness-low Chaetomorpha, Chaetomorpha,
Cladophora, Cladophora, CeramiumCeramium
Photo: Dr. Mitra’s Lab
Ceramium rubrum
COARSELY BRANCHED COARSELY BRANCHED GROUPGROUP
Coarsely branchedCoarsely branched Pseudoparenchymatous Pseudoparenchymatous
to parenchymatousto parenchymatous Texture—fleshy to wiryTexture—fleshy to wiry Toughness-lowToughness-low Gigartina, Chondrus, Gigartina, Chondrus,
AgardhiellaAgardhiella
Agardhiella tenera
Photos: Dr. Mitra’s lab
Gracilaria tikvahiae
THICK LEATHERY GROUPTHICK LEATHERY GROUP Thick blades and Thick blades and
branchesbranches Texture-leatheryTexture-leathery Photosynthetic rate –Photosynthetic rate –
lowlow Toughness-highToughness-high Fucus, Laminaria, Fucus, Laminaria,
Sargassum, PadinaSargassum, PadinaPhoto: Dr. Mitra’s LabPhoto: Dr. Mitra’s Lab
Fucus vesiculosus
JOINTED-CALCAREOUS TYPEJOINTED-CALCAREOUS TYPE Calcareous, uprightCalcareous, upright Calcified segments, Calcified segments,
flexible jointsflexible joints Texture-stonyTexture-stony Photosynthetic rate-Photosynthetic rate-
very lowvery low Toughness-very highToughness-very high Corallina, HalimedaCorallina, Halimeda
Reference: http://seaweed.ucg.ie/descriptions/Coroff.html
Corallina officinalis
CRUSTOSE GROUPCRUSTOSE GROUP EncrustingEncrusting Calcified, some Calcified, some
uncalcifieduncalcified Texture-stony, toughTexture-stony, tough Photosynthetic Photosynthetic
activity-lowactivity-low Toughness-very highToughness-very high Encrusting corallines, Encrusting corallines,
Ralfsia,HildenbrandiaRalfsia,HildenbrandiaHildenbrandia
Reference: http://www.guiamarina.com/chile/02%20plants/Rhodophyceae/Hildenbrandia%20sp..htm
BENTHIC MARINE ALGAE-BENTHIC MARINE ALGAE-MORPHOLOGICAL TYPESMORPHOLOGICAL TYPES
Which forms have the least resistance to Which forms have the least resistance to herbivores?herbivores?
Which forms have the highest resistance to Which forms have the highest resistance to herbivores?herbivores?
Which ones are late successional forms?Which ones are late successional forms?1.1. Sheet likeSheet like2.2. Filamentous groupFilamentous group3.3. Coarsely branched groupCoarsely branched group4.4. Thick-leathery groupThick-leathery group5.5. Jointed calcareous groupJointed calcareous group6.6. Crustose groupCrustose group
NUISANCE MACROALGAL SPECIES OF THE COASTAL BAYSNUISANCE MACROALGAL SPECIES OF THE COASTAL BAYS
Photos: Dr. Mitra’s Lab
Assignment/Group Assignment/Group ActivityActivity
How will you incorporate Algae in your How will you incorporate Algae in your curriculum?curriculum?
How will you incorporate Eutrophication How will you incorporate Eutrophication in your curriculum?in your curriculum?