Environmental impact assessment of coastal pollution using macroalgae gamete condition

Funding: 2001: $22,292
2002: $22,292
2003: $22,292

Project Member(s): Ralph, P.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC SPIRT (Strategic Partnerships with Industry Re)
Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute (Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute (MAFRI) Partner Funds)

Start year: 2001

Summary: Increasing awareness of marine pollution has increased the impetus to develop procedures that reduce damage to coastal habitats, whilst allowing ecologically sustainable development. Macroalgae are ecologically and commercially important habitats, however little is known of their physiological responses to pollution, despite the fact that chemicals found in coastal waters can directly interfere with photosynthesis. This project will assess sub-lethal stress responses of photsynthesis in macroalgae, and develop a test using the photsynthetic capacity by chlorophyll fluorescence. This project addresses one of MAFRI's core objectives to develop methods to assess sub-lethal recovery of marine habitats, and to give a better conceptual understanding of the impacts of pollutants on these habitats.

Publications:

Ralph, PJ, Smith, RA, Macinnis-Ng, CMO & Seery, CR 2007, 'Use of fluorescence-based ecotoxicological bioassays in monitoring toxicants and pollution in aquatic systems: Review', Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, vol. 89, no. 4, pp. 589-607.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Seery, CR, Gunthorpe, L & Ralph, PJ 2006, 'Herbicide impact on Hormosira banksii gametes measured by fluorescence and germination bioassays', ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, vol. 140, no. 1, pp. 43-51.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Keywords: marine pollution; contamination; macroalgae; physiology; environmental assessment

FOR Codes: Marine Oceanic Processes (excl. climate related), Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments, Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology), Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems, Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean)

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.