Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Toxin Production Tracey Magrann Loma Linda University

Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Toxin Production Tracey Magrann Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects 6-1-2011 Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Toxin Production Tracey Magrann Loma Linda University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Magrann, Tracey, "Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Toxin Production" (2011). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 45. http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/45 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY School of Science and Technology in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ____________________ Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Toxin Production by Tracey Magrann ____________________ A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology ____________________ June 2011 © 2011 Tracey Magrann All Rights Reserved Each person whose signature appears below certifies that this dissertation in his opinion is adequate, in scope and quality, as a dissertation for the degree Doctor of Philosophy. , Chairperson Stephen G. Dunbar, Associate Professor of Biology Danilo S. Boskovic, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, School of Medicine H. Paul Buchheim, Professor of Geology William K. Hayes, Professor of Biology Kevin E. Nick, Associate Professor of Geology iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Stephen G. Dunbar, who assisted with the majority of the editing and for his wonderful guidance throughout this research project, Dr. Danilo Boskovic for providing space in his laboratory, constructing data sheets, giving careful directions in proper water chemistry analysis techniques, and editing proficiency, Dr. Bill Hayes for his contribution in the statistics portion of this work, Dr. Martha Sutula for site selection and providing laboratory and field equipment, Dr. H. Paul Buchheim for contributing expertise in limnology, and Dr. Kevin Nick for his insightful editing contributions. I am also very thankful to those who provided grants and other funding which allowed this project to expand throughout five counties. The Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project (SCCWRP) funded the water chemistry analysis, and the toxin analysis was funded by grants from Marine Research Group (MRG) of Loma Linda University, the Southern California Academy of Sciences, Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends, El Dorado Audubon Society, Friends of Madrona Marsh, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, Blue Water Technologies, and Preserve Calavera. To my family and friends, your love and support through this long endeavor has been treasured and I could not have finished without you. I would like to give special thanks to my husband for his patience and cheerfulness over the past few years. And finally, I would like to thank God for providing me the undeserved opportunity to study His creation and marvel in its complexity. iv CONTENTS Approval Page .................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents .................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix List of Abbreviations ...........................................................................................................x Abstract .............................................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 Hypotheses .........................................................................................................1 Nutrient Loads ...................................................................................................2 Nitrogenous Nutrients ........................................................................................3 Phosphorous Nutrients .......................................................................................6 Features of Ponds and Lakes Affect Algal Biodiversity ....................................8 Nuisance Algae ................................................................................................11 Summary of Dissertation .................................................................................14 References ........................................................................................................16 2. Water chemistry factors affecting phytoplankton biodiversity and toxin production in Southern California lentic habitats ..................................................20 Abstract ............................................................................................................21 Introduction ......................................................................................................22 Materials and Methods .....................................................................................25 Statistical Analyses ....................................................................................29 Results ..............................................................................................................30 Water Chemistry Factors Affecting Algal Biodiversity ............................30 Water Chemistry Factors Affecting Toxin Production ..............................33 Phytoplankton Biodiversity (Richness and Evenness) ..............................37 v Discussion ........................................................................................................40 Acknowledgments............................................................................................48 References ........................................................................................................49 3. Impact of Microcystis on algal biodiversity and use of new technology to remove Microcystis and dissolved nutrients ..........................................................53 Abstract ............................................................................................................54 Introduction ......................................................................................................55 Materials and Methods .....................................................................................58 Microcystis and Algal Biodiversity ...........................................................58 Algal Cultures ......................................................................................58 Statistical Analysis ...............................................................................59 Phosphate Restriction Assay at Mason Lake .............................................59 Blue ProTM Pilot Study at Mason Lake .......................................................60 Sample Acquisition ..............................................................................62 Algal Assay Technique ........................................................................63 Chlorophyll Assay Technique..............................................................63 Results ..............................................................................................................64 Algal Biodiversity Results .........................................................................64 Phosphate Restriction Assay at Mason Lake .............................................66 Blue ProTM Pilot Study at Mason Lake .......................................................67 Algal Assay Results .............................................................................67 Chlorophyll Assay Results ...................................................................68 Phosphate Results ................................................................................68 Discussion ........................................................................................................69 Conclusions ......................................................................................................72 Acknowledgments............................................................................................73 References ........................................................................................................74 4. Ecological impact of Southern California ponds and small lakes, and strategies for their conservation .............................................................................77 Abstract ............................................................................................................78

View Full Text

Details

  • File Type
    pdf
  • Upload Time
    -
  • Content Languages
    English
  • Upload User
    Anonymous/Not logged-in
  • File Pages
    150 Page
  • File Size
    -

Download

Channel Download Status
Express Download Enable

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

  • Not to be reproduced or distributed without explicit permission.
  • Not used for commercial purposes outside of approved use cases.
  • Not used to infringe on the rights of the original creators.
  • If you believe any content infringes your copyright, please contact us immediately.

Support

For help with questions, suggestions, or problems, please contact us