Transcript what is the effect of water quality on the diversity of phytoplankton in

ISSUE:
Harmful Algal
Blooms
HEMA, CHRISTINE, BETTINA,
NUTRIENT
RUNOFF
DISSOLVED
OXYGEN
SALINITY
HEALTH
HAZARD
CURRENTS
ALGAL
BLOOM
WATER
TEMPERATURE
TURBIDITY
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF WATER QUALITY
( SALINITY, DO, pH) ON THE DIVERSTIY OF
PHYTOPLANKTON IN THE CHOPTANK RIVER
– HORN POINT?
Harmful algal blooms may
cause harm through the
production of toxins or by
their accumulated biomass.
Algal blooms are natural
occurrences.
A Noctiluca bloom in
Hong Kong
To the human eye, blooms can
appear greenish, brown, and
even reddish- orange
depending upon the algal
species, the aquatic
ecosystem, and the
concentration of the
organisms.
Rhizosolenia bloom in the Hood
Canal, Washington.
Impacts include human illness and
mortality following consumption of
or indirect exposure to HAB toxins,
substantial economic losses to
coastal communities and
commercial fisheries, and HABassociated fish, bird and mammal
mortalities.
Some algal blooms are non-toxic
but aesthetically unpleasant or
noxious.
Nutrient runoff is the major
cause of all algal blooms,
and causes blooms in all
types of algae, HABs as
well as cyanobacteria due
to the increase of
nutrients.
Warmer water temperatures
increase the incidence of HABs
because HABs can survive in
warmer water, while the more
important helpful type of
phytoplankton (cyanobacteria –
blue green algae) are
compromised.
Salinity is a limiting factor that
affects the growth of all algae
species, different species are
adapted to different ranges of
salinity. For example after a
strom surge or storm, the
increase of fresh water will
reduce the salinity of the bay,
impacted the growth of endemic
species.
Algeas
A Noctiluca bloom
in theblooms
Sea of
Cortez, Mexico.
Harmful algal blooms:
1) Species which are harmless in small
amounts, cause fish kills when large colonies
decompose and deplete dissolved oxygen.
2) Species which produce toxins that can cause
illness or death in organisms which eat them;
also cause illness or death further up the food
chain through bioaccumulation.
3) Species that are not toxic, but can irritate and
damage gills of fish and tissues of other
organisms with their microscopic spines.
Noctiluca bloom
in China.
A bloom of Nodularia
spummigena, a blue green algae.
 These
outbreaks are
commonly called red tides,
but scientists prefer the
term "harmful algal blooms"
(or HABs).
Red Tide
Symptoms range from the
mild:
diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
memory loss, disorientation, respiratory
irritation
skin irritation, muscle aches, headaches
To severe:
reversal of temperature and dizziness.
Rarely:
paralysis or death can occur.
Probable algal bloom in
Australia as viewed from
the ISS.
Players
Beliefs
Values
Local government
•Want public
support
•Want a well
managed
community
•Want to make
decisions for the
community
Environmental
regulation(MDE)
•Want to implement Legal
and regulate
environmental
legislations
•Want to make sure Health & safety
people are healthy Educational
Health department
Political
Economic
Players
Beliefs
Values
Fishermen
•Want to make profit
•Do not want to harm the
environment
Economic
Environmental
Scientists
• Want to collect
information/research
•Want to share the
information with the
public
Educational
Scientific
Ecological
Environmental
Public
•Want to be safe
•Want a safe environment
for you’re their family
•Want the tax payer money
to be put to good work
•Want beautiful water
Egocentric
Aesthetic
Health and safety
Recreation
1.
2.
Have you ever swam in a body of water? Y N
Can we get sick by swimming in a body of water?
Y N
3.
4.
5.
6.
Have you been sick after swimming in a body of
water? Y N
What do you think can make you sick when you
swim in a body of water?
Do you know what in algae are? Y N
Do you know what algae blooms are?
Never heard of it
Expert
Heard of it
Know what it is
Know more about it
7. What are some things that can cause
algal bloom?
Yes
No
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6
4
2
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Yes
NO
Yes
No
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10
8
6
4
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Yes
NO
Yes
No
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10
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Yes
NO
Yes
No
12
1
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Yes
NO
Never heard
of it
Heard of it
Know what it
is
Know more
about it
Expert
2
3
6
2
0
7
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2
1
0
Never heard of it
Heard of it
Know what it is
Know more about it
Expert
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Bacteria, septic
Algae, microorganisms
Poop,
Poop
E.coli, Streptococci
Septic, chemical runoff
Excess chemicals
Stagnant water, trash
Sewage
Microorganisms
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NA
Temperature, salinity
NA
Not sure
Sexual reproduction- “Mommy Daddy Bloom”
Temperature
Nutrients, warm water
Fertilizer
Runoff
Nutrients, runoff
Pollutants
PHYSICAL SURVEY DATA SHEET
SAMPLING SITE: Horn Point Pier, Choptank River
Date: 6/29/10
Secchi Disk (cm): 77.5 cm
Water Temperature:
27.60
Weather: mostly cloudy
Air Temperature: 830
Wind Direction: NW
Salinity (ppt): 11 ppt
Wind Speed: 5 mph
pH: 7.7
Barometric Pressure:
29.90
DO (ppm): 5.4 mg/L
Tide: low
Distribution: Every
ocean and body of
water.
One of the most
abundant phylum of
algae. Swims freely
as well as attaching to
organisms.
Distribution: Every
ocean and body of
water.
One of the most
abundant phylum
of algae. Swims
freely as well as
attaching to
organisms.
General: known for
producing dangerous
toxins, particularly when in
large numbers, called "red
tides" because the cells are
so abundant they make
water change color. Also
they can produce non-fatal
or fatal amounts of toxins
in predators (particularly
shellfish) that may be eaten
by humans.
Open ocean
both heterotrophic (eat
other organisms) and
autotrophic
(photosynthetic)
Distribution: NE
Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico,
Mediterranean
waters.
Respiratory
irritations in
humans and
marine mammals
Distribution:
European waters
and NE Atlantic
Secretes fast
acting toxin and
diarrhetic Shellfish
Poisoning.
Crab larvae
Simpson's Diversity Index

Simpson's Diversity Index is a measure of diversity which
takes into account the number of species present, as well as
the relative abundance of each species. As species richness
and evenness increase, so diversity increases.
n = the total number of organisms of a particular species
 N = the total number of organisms of all species
The value of D ranges between 0 and 1. With this index, 1
represents infinite diversity and 0, no diversity.

Species
Number (n)
n(n-1)
Pleurosigma
4
12
Thalassiosira
1
0
Kareniabreis
1
0
Protoperdinium
1
0
Prorocentrum lima
1
0
Cocinodiscus
1
0
Total
9
12
N=9
∑n(n-1) =12
Putting the figures into the formula for Simpson's Index:
12/9(8)
Simpson's Index of Diversity = 0.17
Water quality
Background
Data
Temperature
May to October: 22 to 35°C,
November to April: 2 to 27°C
27
pH
Optimal =7 and 8
Suitable=6.5 and 8.5 is
Poor = Below 6.5 .
7.7
DO
Optimal level = 9 mg/l.
5.4
Acceptable7-8 mg/l
Poor=3.5-6 mg/l is considered
Salinity
Fresh water < 0.5ppt
Brackish water 0.5 – 30ppt
Saline water 30 – 50 ppt
Brine > 50 ppt
11ppt
Simpson’s Index
0.17
The low DO could be due to
- Construction
- Little mixing
- Shallow water
 Low Simpson’s index could be due to
- Low sample size
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Include nutrient study
Conduct background research on the identified
harmful algae.
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Educate the public about algal blooms, their
causes, impacts and significance.
Educate our students about algal blooms by
participation in programs such as NOAA
Phytoplankton Monitoring Network, GLOBE,
Creekwatchers, Bay Grasses in Classes.
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

OzCoasts: Coastal Indicators - Frequency of Algal
Blooms." Information about Australia’s coast,
including its estuaries and coastal waterways and
climate change impact. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June
2010. <http://www.ozcoasts.org.au/in
"What are Harmful Algal Blooms." Virginia
Department of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 July 2010.
<http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi
DNR State Website. (n.d.). Department of
Natural resources. Retrieved July 1, 2010,
from www.dnr.state.md.us/mydnr/as
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
Name. (n.d.). Harmful Algae : Red Tide.
Home : Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from
http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/
DNR State Website. (n.d.). Department of
Natural resources. Retrieved July 1, 2010,
from www.dnr.state.md.us/mydnr