Event Title
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Pseudo-nitzschia in the Gulf of Maine
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 10:00 AM
Project Type
Poster- Restricted to Campus Access
Description
Pseudo-nitzschia (PN) is biologically interesting because it is the only marine diatom known to produce harmful algal blooms (HABs). Due to the potential human and marine mammal health risks of a large bloom of PN, researchers, fisheries, public health officials, and conservationists worldwide are interested in monitoring the distribution and abundance of this diatom in the ocean. By using molecular methods and the analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia (PN), we hope to obtain a greater understanding of the distribution of PN populations in the Gulf of Maine. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay based on the use of SYBR Green I detection was performed to assess the abundance of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia in whole water samples over time and location in the Damariscotta River Estuary and the Gulf of Maine. We found that over our time-series transect, a relatively large bloom of PN occurred offshore in early October, and sunk to depth by mid-November. These bloom dynamics may have implications for future PN populations and populations closer to shore.
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Biology Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
257
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Pseudo-nitzschia in the Gulf of Maine
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Pseudo-nitzschia (PN) is biologically interesting because it is the only marine diatom known to produce harmful algal blooms (HABs). Due to the potential human and marine mammal health risks of a large bloom of PN, researchers, fisheries, public health officials, and conservationists worldwide are interested in monitoring the distribution and abundance of this diatom in the ocean. By using molecular methods and the analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia (PN), we hope to obtain a greater understanding of the distribution of PN populations in the Gulf of Maine. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay based on the use of SYBR Green I detection was performed to assess the abundance of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia in whole water samples over time and location in the Damariscotta River Estuary and the Gulf of Maine. We found that over our time-series transect, a relatively large bloom of PN occurred offshore in early October, and sunk to depth by mid-November. These bloom dynamics may have implications for future PN populations and populations closer to shore.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/380