Adopted Algae Practical 3: Amphora sp Culture.

Introduction

Amphora sp. are marine diatoms that thrive in a benthic environment unlike regular free swimming algae that lay suspended in the water column, Amphora sp. rest within the substrate and continue to grow even in small amount of light exposure. Thus, being heterotrophs, Amphora sp. are mainly researched as a potential mass culture due to its low light requirement. This genus can be easily identified by their pennate shape either singular or paired.

Amphora sp. is mainly used in mollusc culture as they cell wall is made up of silica which is the main compund that aids in the shell development of mollusc. Based on our experiment on their growth rate and density will enable us to better understand the potential use of Amphora sp. as a live feed for mollusc larvae.

Materials and Methods

A) Preparation of algae medium

  F/2+silicate is used for this microalgae as it requires silicate to develop its cell wall. Firstly, 500ml culture medium was poured into a 1L flask and autoclaved for decontamination. Once cooled, about 100ml was poured into a 500ml conical flask as a culture medium.

B) Calculate cell density

The cell density of the stock culture was counted using a Haemocytometer as this will enable us to determine the suitable amount to be used as a starter culture. Next, the density and volume of stock culture needed is calculated using the formula C1V1=C2V2 and required volume is added into our prepared culture medium.

C) Microalgae culture

The prepared culture is place under illumination and provided a low aeration to allow equal nutrient absorption for the mircoalgae. A sample is taken daily to determine the density of the microalgae and a graph is made at the end of the experiment.

*diagrams are located in appendix*

Results

Day	Cell density (cell/mL)	SGR	Doubling time (tg)
0 (18/9)	58,750	-	-
1 (19/9)	5.78x106	4.58	0.151
2 (20/9)	3.53x106	-0.49	-1.42
3 (21/9)	1.25x106	-1.04	-0.667
4 (22/9)	1.03x106	-0.19	-3.65
5 (23/9)	1.02x106	-0.009	-77.08
6 (24/9)	1.02x106	0	0
7 (25/9)	1.2x105	-2.14	-0.32
8 (26/9)	6.5x104	-0.61	-1.14
9 (27/9)	6.3x104	-0.031	-22.36
10 (28/9)	6.2x104	-0.016	-43.32

The graph above shows the growth curve of Amphora sp.

Discussion

Based on the data collected for 10 days, we can see that the growth rate of the Amphora sp. multiplies greatly at day 1. There is a few possible reasons why the algae grows rapidly at early stage, this is maybe due to the very high growth rate. The other reason is that it is possibly due to the miscalculation during the cell count of the microalgae itself. Because Amphora sp. characteristic is benthic, it is their nature to settle down at the bottom of the flask and clumps up. This is also could be the cause of miscalculation of their growth rate. Amphora sp. usually do not receive a very strong light source since they live mostly at the bottom. However in the laboratory, they are placed right beside the lamp therefore received a strong light source that may change their normal growth.

A few ways to overcome the problems is to stir or swirl the flask a few times before counting the cell density or provide a slightly higher aeration for the microalgae. Another way is to make a replicate (at least 3) to find an average counts of the cell so that more accurate results can be produced. However, replicates could not be provided due to shortage of the stock culture itself therefore only one flask of culture can be experimented and observed.

Conclusion

Amphora sp. grow at its highest rate at day 1 which is 5.78x10⁶ cell/ml. The growth of the microalgae is successful but they grow and collapses too rapidly.

Appendix

Diagram 1: Amphora sp

Diagram 2: Amphora sp

Diagram 3: Haemocytomerer.

Diagram 4: Starter Culture of Amphora sp.

Diagram 5: Adding 100ml of F/2+ Silicate as a culture medium.

Diagram 6: Measuring 10ml of Starter Culture after calculating its density.

Diagram 7: Prepared Amphora sp. culture.

Recent Marine Macrophytes found at Teluk Pelanduk, Port Dickson, Selangor

Teluk Pelanduk is a coast beach stretch in about 18km. The place is not suitable to swimming but it is a place for fisherman to catch their daily fresh fish.

The purpose of Teluk Pelanduk trip is to find out the species of seagrass available at the site and determine whether they are growing steadily or decreasing.

*This trip was done during 29th of September 2015 at 2pm when the tide is low*

Some general info about seagrasses:

Seagrass are mysterious kind of flowering plants that live underwater. Mostly can be found at muddy and sandy terrain underwater. Seagrasses themselves are a critically important food source for dugong, manatee, sea turtles and waterfowl. Many other species of fish and invertebrates, including seahorses, shrimps and scallops, utilize seagrass for part

of their life cycles, often for breeding or as juveniles. Seagrasses are considered to be one of the most important shallow marine ecosystems to humans, playing a significant role in fisheries production as well as binding sediments and providing some protection from coastal erosion. Seagrass can reproduce through sexual or asexual methods. In sexual reproduction, the plants produce flowers and transfer pollen from the male flower to the ovary of the female flower. Most seagrass species produce flowers of a single sex on each individual, so there are separate male and female plants. There four plants families in seagrass (Posidoniaceae, Zosteraceae,Hydrocharitaceae, or Cymodoceaceae). 

Sample of seagrass that we obtained during the trip

Halodule pinifolia

Common seagrass found in Asian.It is ephemeral with rapid-turnover and high seed set and is well adapted to high level of disturbance. This species can grow quickly and is a fast colonizer.

Gracillaria sp.

They consist of solid, brittle, cylindrical to compressed branches. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South America, Africa and Oceania. Besides, Gracilaria is used as a food in Japanese, Hawaiian, and Filipino cuisine. In Japanese cuisine, it is called ogonori or ogo. In the Philippines, it is called gulaman and used to make gelatin. In Jamaica, it is known as Irish moss. Gracilaria commonly appears as a macroalgae for sale in the aquarium trade due to its nutrient uptake ability makes it a suitable choice for a refugium. 

Gracillaria sp.

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Udotea sp.

A long fan- or spatula-shaped blade (2-4cm long) with ruffled edges, in clusters of several blades. They have  velvety texture and is slightly to moderately calcified. The stem that holds up the blade (stipe) is calcified.Usually olive green, but may be bright to dark green.

Amphiroa fragilisima

Specimens can reach around 30 cm in size. The thalli take a crustose form; dichotomous branches are formed. The organisms possess secondary pit connections. Amphiroa reproduces by means of conceptacles; it produces tetraspores. Its pore canals are lined with parallel filaments;  the morphology of the pore canal is a key trait used to delineate species within the genus.

Enhalus acroides

Specimens can reach around 30 cm in size. The thalli take a crustose form; dichotomous branches are formed. The organisms possess secondary pit connections. Amphiroa reproduces by means of conceptacles; it produces tetraspores. Its pore canals are lined with parallel filaments;  the morphology of the pore canal is a key trait used to delineate species within the genus.

Gracillaria sp.

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Gracillaria sp.

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Thallasia hemprichii

Sickle seagrass is found throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. A firmly-anchored seagrass, it can form large beds. It is found from shallow subtidal areas to 10m and deeper. It does not tolerate long periods of exposure and does not appear to do well in areas with freshwater runoff. The seagrass has strap or curved, sickle-shaped leaves. It has thick rhizomes (underground stems) about 2-4mm in diameter which are white or pink. The rhizomes have air channels and usually have obvious node scars that are triangular with persistent leaf sheaths. 

Halophila ovalis

The leaves are ovate in outline, appearing on stems that emerge from rhizome beneath the sand. The roots get up to 800 mm long and covered in fine root hairs. It is often found in meadows that dominate a sand bank or other patch of sea floor. It is used as food by dugong, as is therefore known as dugong grass.

Udotea sp. along with Halodule pinifolia

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Thallus of Caulerpa

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Caulerpa racemosa

This is a species of green alga, a seaweed. It is commonly known as sea grapes and is found in many areas of shallow sea around the world. It consists of a number of branches linked tostolons which are anchored to the sandy substrate by rhizoids. The branches are a few centimetres apart and can grow to a height of 30 centimetres. Many spherical or ovate side-shoots branch off these and give the seaweed its name of sea grapes. It consists of a single enormous cell with a large number of nuclei. It can be eaten freshly as well.

Amphiroa fragilisima

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Caulerpa taxifolia

*Refer to the same species of the characteristics*

Sargassum sp.

It is genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweed) in the order Fucales. Numerous species are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, where they generally inhabit shallow water and coral reefs, and the genus is widely known for its planktonic (free-floating) species. Species of this genus of algae may grow to a length of several metres. They are generally brown or dark green in color and consist of a holdfast, a stipe, and a frond. Oogonia and antheridia occur in conceptacles embedded in receptacles on special branches.  Some species have berrylike gas-filled bladders which help keep the fronds afloat to promote photosynthesis. Many have a rough sticky texture, which together with a robust but flexible body, helps it to withstand strong water currents.

The Eye Opener of HAB

What is HAB?

HAB also known as Harmful Algal Bloom is one of the major contribution to environmental problem. HAB can be green,red or blue depends on the abundance of species that contributes it. However,  It causes negative impact to other organism via production of toxins, cause health problems to human, effects the ecosystem and also deplete the economy growth.

Example of HAB:

The Red Tide

Red Tide 

Red Tide , a phenomenon which appears as great swathe of ominous rust-colored water in the ocean. This occurrence are the result of explosive growth and accumulation of certain microscopic algae species especially dinoflagelates. One of the species that had been reported as toxic algae include, Karenia brevis.

Red Tide causes massive fish kill

A mass kill of fish is a common result of Red Tide, the toxin produce causes problem to the respiratory system of the fish. Due to lack of oxygen and difficulties in breathing, the fish will die. Other effects include corrosive to the marine's creature skin. The toxin also not only effects the fish that had been contaminated, however, it also harms the live of those species which eats the contaminated fish along the food chain system. There were reports that confirmed from the autopsy of dead dolphins along the Florida ocean that the dolphins consumed contaminated fish with toxins from the red tide. This happens because dinoflagellates are the primary producer of the food chain system in aquatic life. Also, even without consuming the toxin, sea grass can as well be coated with the toxic algae and causes death to the manatee population. 

A girl unable to swim due to the Red Tide

Nevertheless, the most unfortunate thing that had also suffer from the Red Tide is the tourism industry. When the red tide hits the shore, it produced airborne toxin which causes respiratory and skin irritations. Thus, this effects both tourist and fishing fleets to abandon those areas. This situation, causes hardship for the economic growth. 

How does it occur? Three main causes...

 The sun

Nutrient ( Nitrogen and Phosphorus)

Slow moving water

Why is HAB a bad impact?

• Mass mortality to the aquatic life in the ocean from the toxins
• Health problems to human such as difficulties in breathing and skin irritations
• negative growth impact towards the tourism industry which also effects the economy 
• create dead zone in the water
• raise treatment cost for drinking water
• causes problems to life of fisherman while working 
• effects the income of those who rely on the sea for living 
• major pollution to the environment because some of the toxic can mix into the air
• decrease the aesthetic value of the ocean  and environment.

Research done on HAB:

1. Fish gills damage by dinoflagelates
2. The current status of HAB in Indonesia
3. HAB: Causes , impact and detection
4. The diversity of HAB: A challenge for science and managment

Moss and Algae, How different are they?

Based on observation, these two organisms are may seem similar but worlds apart. Going back to their origin of classification, all organisms belong to one of five Kingdoms which is Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Based on our focus, Kingdom Protoctista includes algae, protozoans, oomycota and slime mould. Kingdom Plantae on the other hand includes bryophytes(moss), pterophytes, lycophytes, cycadophytes and anthophytes.

Algae

Halimeda sp., a green algae taken from Teluk Kemang.

Algae are photosynthetic eukaryotes living in fully aquatic ecosystems which includes both freshwater and marine. All algae are thallophytes meaning they have a single thallus with no stem, roots or leaves. However, algae are able to attach themselves onto a substrate using their holdfast. They are also autotrophic and have photosynthetic pigments which is divided into four division that includes Chlorophyta (green algae), Phaeophyta (brown algae), Rhodophyta (red algae) and Bacillariophyta (diatoms).

Dictyota dichotoma, a brown algae taken from Teluk Kemang.

Basicly, Algae are a much simple form of aquatic plants compared to the terrestrial moss which is well developed.

Mosses

photo courtesy of Google

Mosses are considered as the simplest land plants and they are not well adapted for life on land as they prefer moist and shady environment. The phylum Bryophyta include two class which is Class Hepatica that includes liverworts and Class  Musci that includes moss. Some of them shows root like, stem like and leaf like organs but these are not true roots, stem and leaves. Unlike algae, moss attach to their substrate by rhizoids.



Therefore, these two organisms can be easily distinguished from one another by observing their characteristics and environment.