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Thesis
GROUNDWATER NUTRIENTS AND THEIR POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OVER BLOOMS OF KARENIA BREVIS
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2012
Abstract
Much research has been completed regarding harmful algal blooms (HABs) associated with Karenia brevis (K. brevis). K. brevis is a dinoflagellate common to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). It produces "brevetoxin," which causes fish kills and human illnesses. Studies have dealt with nutrient loading responsible for these blooms. Few have focused on the influence of groundwater nutrients, though. This research aimed to characterize the effect that concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus measured in the groundwater of Northwestern Florida have on the bloom potential of K. brevis. Data were obtained by determining groundwater nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. Cultures of K. brevis were incubated at corresponding nutrient concentrations. These concentrations were compared to those in published literature known to sustain K. brevis populations and were compared to known submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) rates. The data showed that dissolved inorganic nitrogen ranged from 0.8 uM at Bayou Texar Site 2 to 484.8 uM at NVOC Spray Fields Site 2. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus ranged from 0.2 uM at UWF Site 1, West Escambia Bay Site 1, and NVOC Spray Fields Sites 1 and 2 to 0.5 uM at Bayou Texar Site 1. These values were within known limits to sustain K. brevis populations.
Details
- Title
- GROUNDWATER NUTRIENTS AND THEIR POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OVER BLOOMS OF KARENIA BREVIS
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Copyright
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
- Identifiers
- 99380090859406600
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida