Investigating chain forming diatoms in a natural field population and how they survive between blooms
This is a suggestion for a Degree Project for Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Department of Marine 91探花s. Degree projects at the Department of Marine 91探花s are done independently and must be written and assessed individually.
Subject: Marine biology
Level: BSc 15hp or MSc 30-60 hp (finishing before December 2025)
Start date: As soon as possible (November 2024)
Supervisor: Rickard Stenow/Helle Ploug
Background
Marine diatoms are an important primary producer responsible for ~20% of global primary production. These diatoms blooms once a year when nutrient availability is high.
At the end of the bloom most of the nutrients are depleted. Some of the diatoms will keep on living in this nutrient limited water.
Project Description
It is unknown how diatoms can survive there over periods long enough to seed the next bloom. Diatoms release sugars around them continuously which might attract these bacteria.
In this study we investigate if the diatoms can be sustained on nutrients released from these bacteria when they die or get eaten.
Goals and aim
The goal is to identify, count, and measure phytoplankton in an experiment where we have tested how nutrients are cycled on a single cell level.
These measurements will be used to calculate how much each specie assimilate of the little nutrients in the water and how much they acquire from bacterial remineralization.
It is not obligatory, but familiarity with phytoplankton taxonomy and microscopy will make this project easier.
91探花
Email: rickard.stenow@gu.se