Due to COVID-19 precautions, this seminar will only be available for viewing via WebEx.
COASTAL AND MARINE SYSTEM SCIENCE PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI
SUBJECT: Phytoplankton Dynamics in a Eutrophying South Texas Estuary
GRADUATE ADVISOR: Dr. Michael Wetz
ABSTRACT
This dissertation advances our understanding of phytoplankton dynamics in low-inflow estuaries through analysis of data collected at multiple temporal scales throughout Baffin Bay, Texas. Baffin Bay is frequently hypersaline and has been experiencing symptoms of eutrophication including recurring blooms of the “brown tide” phytoplankton, Aureoumbra lagunensis. This study related variability in phytoplankton biomass and community composition to hydrologic shifts, suggesting that at times of high rainfall (such as during El Niño conditions), the potential stimulatory effects of nutrient pulses are outweighed by decreased residence times. In addition, this study identified sub-monthly variability as a dominant timescale of variability in the bay and found wind to be an important factor related to short-term (timescales of days) bloom events. Lastly, this study quantified the spatial-temporal distribution of A. lagunensis in Baffin Bay. Results suggest that a variety of factors in addition to salinity drive A. lagunensis population dynamics in the bay. This research improves our ecological understanding of low-inflow estuaries, specifically pertaining to the ecology of phytoplankton in them. Results also suggest that as climate pressures increase, causing systems like Baffin Bay to become warmer and drier, they will be more conducive for harmful taxa such as A. lagunensis.
TO VIEW:
https://tamucc.webex.com/tamucc/j.php?MTID=m102bb1f63360b8ff3273d2344c1f2013
Meeting number: 280 008 443
Password: hricall (4742255 from phones)