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Thesis
A Seasonal Comparison of Prokaryotic Diversity in Surface Waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2023
Abstract
During two cruises to the coastal and shelf waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula in austral fall/winter and spring/summer, we gathered environmental data and seawater samples in the interest of making intra- and inter-seasonal comparisons. I used 16S rDNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic processing of sequencing data to examine the community composition of prokaryotes present at stations from both cruises. Multiple analytical methods were used to separately characterize the environmental conditions and prokaryotic community structure at the stations of both cruises, and further analyses were used to determine which environmental metadata might have best explained the prokaryotic community compositions identified at each station across the study transect. I conclude that the patterns in the first cruise (austral autumn/ winter) prokaryotic community structures were most associated with latitude and dissolved nutrient concentrations, and that the patterns in the second cruise (austral spring/ summer) prokaryotic community structures were most associated with latitude and primary production rates. Unexpectedly, dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration was found to be explanatory across both seasons, with higher concentrations at the norther section of the study transect. Direct comparisons between cruises indicated that season was a greater predictor of prokaryotic community composition than geographic location, coincident with findings from previous research on this polar region.
Details
- Title
- A Seasonal Comparison of Prokaryotic Diversity in Surface Waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- Wade H Jeffrey (Advisor)Jane M Caffrey (Committee Member)Lisa A Waidner (Committee Member)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 151
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries to digitize and/or display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380178494506600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida