Advisor | Field, Erin K. | |
Author | Jupitz, Madison C. | |
Date Accessioned | 2017-08-09T16:32:29Z | |
Date Available | 2019-02-26T14:23:46Z | |
Date Created | 2017-08 | |
Date of Issue | 2017-07-13 | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.date.submitted | August 2017 | |
Identifier (URI) | http://hdl.handle.net/10342/6387 | |
Description | In the Chowan River, North Carolina, the frequency of Microcystis aeruginosa blooms has increased over recent years with an average 1.9°C rise in June water temperatures since 1975. Zooplankton are an important trophic link for toxins to move up the food web. Bosmina longirostris, a dominant zooplankton in the Chowan River, consumes toxic M. aeruginosa cells. This study aimed to understand how microcystin-LR, produced from M. aeruginosa blooms, affects B. longirostris mortality under increasing temperatures. B. longirostris were resistant to microcystin-LR, demonstrating an LC50 of 26.3 [mu]g/L. Therefore B. longirostris can survive typical bloom microcystin-LR concentrations ranging less than 0.1 [micro]g/L to 2.0 [mu]g/L. As temperatures were increased from 25°C to 35°C, microcystin-LR mortality increased approximately 18% from 25-27°C; demonstrating that microcystin-LR was more toxic with increasing temperatures. Above 27°C, mortality also increased, but this was due to the effect of temperature rather than increased toxicity of microcystin-LR. This signifies that during spring, when temperatures are below 27°C and B. longirostris are most abundant, microcystin-LR may be most toxic and may have the greatest influence on the Chowan River food web. Under climate change conditions microcystin-LR may eliminate resistant zooplankton from the food web, putting pressure on larval fish and fisheries. | |
Mimetype | application/pdf | |
Language | en | |
Publisher | East Carolina University | |
Subject | Microcystin-LR | |
Subject | Bosmina longirostris | |
Library of Congress Subject Headings | Microcystis aeruginosa--North Carolina | |
Library of Congress Subject Headings | Food chains (Ecology)--North Carolina | |
Library of Congress Subject Headings | Toxicity, Effect of temperature on | |
Library of Congress Subject Headings | Zooplankton--North Carolina | |
Library of Congress Subject Headings | Chowan River (N.C.) | |
Title | The Effects of Temperature on Microcystin-LR Toxicity to Bosmina Longirostris: Food Web Implications in the Chowan River, North Carolina | |
Type | Master's Thesis | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.date.updated | 2017-08-07T21:55:59Z | |
Department | Biology | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.degree.name | M.S. | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.degree.level | Masters | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.degree.discipline | MS-Biology | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.degree.grantor | East Carolina University | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.degree.department | Biology | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.access.option | Open Access | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.embargo.lift | 2018-08-01 | |
xmlui.metadata.dc.type.material | text | |