Project Title: Impact of a Natural Salinity Gradient on the Genetic Diversity of Microbial

Project title: Impact of a natural salinity gradient on the genetic diversity of microbial eukaryotes

Supervisors: Dr. Sophie Leterme, Ph 8201 2528, Email: [email protected] Dr. Sergio Balzano, Ph 8201 2215, Email: [email protected]

Location : Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia Sophie C. Leterme, PhD Biological Oceanographer - Plankton Ecologist http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/sophie.leterme

Senior Lecturer School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University GPO BOX 2100, Adelaide SA5001

SAIMOS Deputy Node Leader SARDI Aquatic Sciences, Oceanography, PO BOX 120, Henley Beach SA5022

Tel: +618 8201 2528 Fax: +618 8201 3015

Project Outline: Background The Coorong is a long, shallow lagoon >100 km in length which is separated from the Southern Ocean by a narrow sand dune peninsula. The salinity of the Coorong has increased dramatically because of the lack of water inflow due to the construction of barrages further up the Murray River, but also due to the recent 2004–2010 drought. This lagoon, parallel to the coast, is separated from the open ocean by a network of sand dunes, except at the Murray River mouth. The saline waters of the Coorong receive inputs from the ocean through the Murray River mouth and are separated from the lower lakes Alexandrina and Albert by a series of barrages, which can be used to regulate the water exchange between the lakes and the sea. The irregular freshwater releases through the barrages have led to decreased salinities in the northwest part of the Coorong, whereas the excess in evaporation over precipitation increases salinity along the north–south axis. In this context, this project will investigate the effects of the natural and continuous strong salinity gradient (i.e. salinity of 18 to 155 PSU) occurring in the Coorong on microbial eukaryotes communities. The genetic diversity will be assessed using different molecular fingerprinting techniques and bioinformatics.

General aim: Assess the genetic diversity of microbial eukaryotes in the Coorong wetlands

Specific aims: 1. Determine the fluctuations in pico and nanoplankton 2. Assess environmental properties (i.e. light, nutrients concentration, pH, salinity, temperature, turbidity) of the Coorong wetlands

Equipment made available to the student: - Field trips in the Coorong wetlands - Lab (Molecular biology) and computer (Bioinformatics) access to analyse samples and process data

PhD opportunities: YES, depending if funding granted