The impacts of rainfall runoff on tidal creek algal and bacterial production
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Michelle L. Ortwine (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Lawrence Cahoon
Abstract: Field and mesocosm experiments were performed to examine the affects of different nutrient
concentrations on production of bacteria and phytoplankton in three New Hanover County,
North Carolina, tidal creeks of differing watershed impervious cover. Radiotracer assays were
performed to determine production rates using tritiated-thymidine for bacteria and 14-C
bicarbonate for phytoplankton. The field study compared production rates and nutrient
concentrations monthly during dry and rain conditions and the mesocosm experiment compared
production rates given different combinations of nutrients approximating concentrations from
rain events (control, NP, NPSi, NPC).
Pages Creek had mean daily heterotrophic and autotrophic production rates of 36.4 and
395.4 mgC m-3day-1, respectively. Physical parameters control production in Pages Creek, while
nutrients are also a limiting factor in Howe and Bradley Creeks. Nutrient concentrations are
generally similar between creeks, all of which are also nitrogen limited. Mean heterotrophic and
autotrophic production rates in Howe Creek were 38.3 and 636.7 mgC m-3day-1, respectively.
Production rates in Bradley Creek were 41.1 mgC m-3day-1 heterotrophically, and 547.2 mgC m-
3day-1 autotrophically. Production ratios in Bradley Creek differ from the other creeks,
indicating interdependence between bacteria and algae. Both types of production correlated with
dissolved carbohydrates in this creek, suggesting that phytoplankton supply dissolved
carbohydrates to support bacterial growth. This research shows that though nutrient
concentrations and production appear to be similar among creeks, there are differences in
response to nutrient concentrations and grazing pressure, which may be anthropogenically
altered.
The impacts of rainfall runoff on tidal creek algal and bacterial production
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Science
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Bacterial growth--North Carolina--Bradley Creek, Bacterial growth--North Carolina--Howe Creek, Bacterial growth--North Carolina--Pages Creek, Rain-water (Water-supply)--North Carolina--Howe Creek, Algae--Effect of water pollution on, Algae--North Carolina--Bradley Creek--Growth, Algae--North Carolina--Howe Creek--Growth, Algae--North Carolina--Pages Creek--Growth, Rain-water (Water-supply)--North Carolina--Bradley Creek, Rain-water (Water-supply)--North Carolina--Pages Creek
- Subjects
- Algae -- North Carolina -- Pages Creek -- Growth
- Algae -- North Carolina -- Howe Creek -- Growth
- Algae -- North Carolina -- Bradley Creek -- Growth
- Bacterial growth -- North Carolina -- Pages Creek
- Bacterial growth -- North Carolina -- Howe Creek
- Bacterial growth -- North Carolina -- Bradley Creek
- Rain-water (Water-supply) -- North Carolina -- Howe Creek
- Rain-water (Water-supply) -- North Carolina -- Bradley Creek
- Rain-water (Water-supply) -- North Carolina -- Pages Creek
- Algae -- Effect of water pollution on