Date of Award

Spring 5-7-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Marine Science

College

College of Science

First Advisor

George Boneillo

Abstract/Description

The harmful cyanobacteria Microcystis globally dominates eutrophic freshwater systems. Eutrophication leading to nitrogen and phosphorus loading into aquatic systems is increasing bloom propagation and shifting diatom/dinoflagellate dominated systems to cyanobacteria dominated systems. Understanding seasonal variability and environmental parameters combined with nutrient loading will allow for a better understanding of what factors are influencing Microcystis blooms. Biweekly plankton samples and environmental parameters were collected from Wall Pond from spring 2022-spring 2023. Results show that yearly plankton samples shifted from Microcystis dominated in the early summer to diatom dominated in the late summer-early fall then back to Microcystis dominated in late fall-early winter and then became dinoflagellate dominated in late winter-early spring. Results show that summer Microcystis blooms dominated due to increased temperatures and phosphorus, even though nitrogen was low. Microcystis bloomed in the late fall-early winter due to a hurricane that caused nutrient loading. Microcystis blooms dominated when N:P ratios were above Redfield ratio of 16. As N:P ratios and DIN concentrations decreased the system shifted from Microcystis dominated to dinoflagellate dominated. Bioassay results showed dual limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus.

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