Research Symposium

BIO

Hi, my name is Anthony Benn. I am Sophomore from Orlando, Florida. I am studying Biological Sciences and hope to one day become a pediatric doctor.

Experimental Algae Wheel Feasibility Study

Abstract

This investigation seeks to assess the feasibility of an experimental algal wheel which will be used to assess the marine diatom species Skeletonema costatum potential for allelopathic growth inhibition of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. K. brevis, an HAB, otherwise known as red tide, is a phenomenon damaging the marine ecosystem by killing marine life and damaging human health. In this study, we conducted a feasibility study of a newly designed experimental algae wheel which will be used in future trials to assess HAB allelopathic growth inhibition. Conducting a feasibility study of the experimental algae wheel is necessary as this algae wheel is designed to control temperature and lighting while reducing variability in culture growth. The algae wheel ensures a constant volume of water exchange in no-contact cultures, which are used to assess the effect of allelopathic competition. No-contact cultures are used to evaluate allelopathic growth inhibition to isolate each algae species while allowing allelochemicals to pass between cultures. A consistent volume of water exchange ensures a proportional exchange of allelochemicals. We can assess the effect of allelopathic competition by ensuring the experimental algae wheel provides more consistent growth than stationary cultures. Two culture types were employed to accomplish this: a stationary culture and a culture grown in the algae wheel. The density of each culture was measured every 24 hours to generate a growth curve. Variation in growth between each culture was evaluated from these cultures allowing for assessments to be made on the feasibility of the wheel design.

Keywords: Algae, Red tide, Karenia Brevis