The decompostion of Microcystis aeruginosa in estuarine microcosms / by Judy K. Heath.
| Author/creator | Heath, Judy K. author. |
| Other author | Christian, Robert R. (Robert Raymond), 1947- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1989. |
| Description | vii, 115 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The cyanobacterium. Microcystis aeruginosa, dominates extensive blooms that occur periodically along the lower reaches of the Neuse River, N.C. They fix large amounts of organic matter which could be available in both grazing and detrital food webs. Four experiments were conducted in the laboratory to observe carbon flow during the degradation of M. aeruginosa using the protocol of Newell, Lucas, and Linley (1981). Growth rates of bacteria and protozoans during decay and the efficiency of carbon transfer for the microbial assemblages were estimated. In these experiments I also examined nutrient release during decomposition, the effects of metabolic inhibitors which release bacteria from microprotozoan grazing pressure, and the effects of dead M. aeruginosa concentration on patterns of decomposition. Results were compared to those obtained by Newell et al. (1981). The production of microbial carbon and the efficiencies of carbon transfer between microbial assemblages were greater than the results reported by Newell et al. (1981). Both bacteria and microprotozoans responded rapidly to the addition of the dead cyanobacterium. The accumulation of bacterial biomass and respiration rates were directly proportional to the amounts of dead algae added. Further, the densities of bacteria were limited by the presence of grazing microprotozoans. Lastly, substantial quantities of nutrients were released during decomposition. From these results I infer that dead M. aeruginosa can be rapidly decomposed during bloom senescence and that remineralization of inorganic nutrients could foster subsequent eukaryotic algal blooms at the head of the estuary. |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Robert R. Christian |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 1989 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-99). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Joyner | NC Microforms | MICROFILM | ✔ Available | |
| Electronic Resources | ✔ Available |