Effects of the increase CO2, nitrogen and temperature in seawater in the metabolism of red benthic seaweeds

• Grant number: 12/19148-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Nair Sumie Yokoya
• Grantee: Ana Lívia Negrão Leite Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Botânica. Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The increase in the anthropogenic activities in coastal areas and the consumption of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution, has caused serious impacts on marine ecosystems and marine benthic algae. These organisms can be used as biofilter, since it removes nutrients from the marine environment and incorporate them in the proteins and amino acids form. Moreover, CO2 is used in metabolic processes, such as photosynthesis and calcification of coralline seaweeds. Studies on the effects of climate change such as rising CO2 causes acidification and increase temperature in the seawater, as well as the effects of nutrients concentrations (ammonium and nitrate, are needed in both species of calcareous marine algae, which are important carbon sinks in the oceans, as in non-calcareous species and economically important, as Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyta). The present study aims to investigate the effects of CO2, nitrogen and temperature of Hypnea musciformis (Gigartinales) and two species of red algae with calcium carbonate impregnation, one in the aragonite form (Dichotomaria marginata (Nemaliales)) and the other in the calcite form (Jania adhaerens (Corallinales)). Also, checking the potential of the species H. muscifomis in the bioremediation process. For this, experiments will be carried out removal with nitrate or ammonium concentrations, with phosphate, in N:P ratios of 100:1 and 10:1. Regarding the experiments on the effects of climate change on seaweeds, will be added low, medium and high nitrate or ammonium and CO2 concentrations at different temperatures, according to the climate model IS92a. Are checked growth rates, photosynthetic rate, pigment content, protein content and biochemical profile (C, N and P). For species calcified also be determined calcification rate. This project will contribute to increased knowledge of the ecophysiological of benthic marine red algae and the effects of global climate change on these organisms, and hence for taking measures for the conservation of marine environments of the Brazilian coast. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RIBEIRO, ANA LIVIA N. L.; CHIOZZINI, VITOR G.; BRAGA, ELISABETE S.; YOKOYA, NAIR S.. Physiological responses and biofilter potential of Hypnea aspera (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) cultivated in different availabilities of nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY, v. 29, n. 2, p. 683-694, APR 2017. (12/19148-5)