The UK Natural Environment Research Council recently listed the most wanted Postgraduate and Professional Skills Needs in the Environment Sector. Multi-disciplinarity, Data Management, Numeracy, and Translating Research into Practice were among the top most wanted and cross-disciplinary skills identified. This module aims to widen the skill base in practical research by introducing a range of methodologies to aid in the investigation of marine processes.
The seminars (6hours each) and practicals (7 hours each) address the most wanted skills and support the material delivered in theory modules by focusing on the components biogeochemistry and physiology. Students will acquire many of the fundamental and some specialised practical skills to effectively operate as professional marine biologists.
Biogeochemistry component: Trace gas production
Coastal environments are important sources and sinks for climate-active trace gases including dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and isoprene. Corals and anemones, and their symbiotic dinoflagellate (Symbiodinium sp.) are among the highest producers of the DMS-precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). This osmolyte can be enzymatically converted to DMS and forms part of a stress-induced anti-oxidant cascade that protects cells from harmful reactive oxygens. You will use gas chromatography to quantify DMS production and consumption patterns in Symbiodinium sp. and its symbiotic host, the anemone Aiptasia pallida. Taken together, this will enable you to construct a budget on the flow of sulfur in symbiotic cnidarians.
Physiology Component: Photophysiology and Impacts of Environment
Macroalgae play a fundamental role in coastal environments around the globe. They sustain high levels of productivity, providing nourishment directly for grazers and indirectly, as particulate and dissolved organic material, for filter feeders, detrital feeders and engulfers. Measurements of algal productivity provide important information as to the rate at which algal biomass (carbon or energy) can accumulate to be available to higher trophic levels as well as the ability of aquatic systems to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. This practical will introduce you to (1) conventional (O2) and modern (active fluorescence) techniques for assaying physiology and productivity and (2) the effect of elevated CO2 on photosynthesis.