Increasing atmospheric CO2 is causing unprecedented changes in seawater chemistry, yet the uncertainty of the ecological response to these projected changes, termed ‘ocean acidification’, remains considerable at present. To predict the effects of these changes, we need to improve our understanding of the responses of marine primary producers since these drive biogeochemical cycles and determine the structure and function of benthic habitats. The majority of experiments on the effects of ocean acidification on photoautrophs to date have mainly focused on oceanic microalgae, leaving benthic assemblages largely overlooked. Carbon dioxide vents are providing a means for examining and predicting the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems. In this thesis a temperate CO2 volcanic vent gradient was used to investigate the responses of benthic microalgal assemblages (periphyton, epilithic, epipelic, epipsammic and endolithic) and macroalgae (a calcified phaeophyte, crustose coralline algae and turf algae) to increasing pCO2. The photosynthetic standing crop of microphytobenthic assemblages increased significantly with elevations in CO2 indicating that the productivity of shallow water habitats may be promoted over the course of this century. Some benthic diatoms appear to benefit in naturally CO2 enriched environments whilst benthic cyanobacteria in this study appear to be relatively insensitive to the levels of increase predicted for this century. Dramatic shifts in epilithic macroalgae assemblages were observed along the CO2 gradient and a calcified phaeophyte was revealed as an unexpected ecological winner under ocean acidification scenarios. These observations suggest that benthic algal assemblages have the potential to dramatically alter as CO2 levels continue to rise; this would have profound consequences for the structure and function of benthic ecosystems.

Nos últimos anos, os metais vêm ganhando maior atenção em estudos devido aos impactos causados no ambiente, sua persistência e capacidade de bioacumulação e biomagnificação. As zonas costeiras por sua localização sofrem danos maiores, principalmente devido à grande quantidade de efluentes depositada nessa área provenientes de atividades urbanas, industriais, agrícolas e mineiras, dentre outras. As algas são organismos que compõe a base da cadeia alimentar e possuem ainda capacidade de estocar metais tornando-os menos disponíveis para as espécies que habitam a região. Tal característica torna esse organismo uma alternativa economicamente viável e ecológica em processos de biorremediação. As macroalgas pertencentes ao gênero Gracilaria, possuem grande importância econômica na produção de ágar, e alguns de seus metabólitos são utilizados no ramo farmacêutico, medicinal e de cosméticos. No entanto, esse gênero pode ser também um bom bioindicador da presença de metais, e os efeitos causados por esses compostos, potenciais biomarcadores. O objetivo presente estudo é verificar os efeitos dos metais cobre (Cu) e cádmio (Cd) em enzimas antioxidantes e de biotransformação na espécie Gracilaria domingensis, e os mecanismos de retenção e detoxificação desses metais. A descrição desses mecanismos visa contribuir com a possibilidade de utilização dessas macroalgas para remediação de ambientes impactados. Para tanto foram desenvolvidos experimentos para definição de valores de IC50 que estabeleceram que os valores de IC50 para o cobre e cádmio para espécie Graciliaria domingensis são 10,6 e 1,05 mg/L, respectivamente. E foram feitos experimentos utilizando as concentrações de cobre de 5,3 e 10,6 mg/L (½ IC50 e IC50) por períodos de 1, 24 e 48 horas. Experimentos com grupos de recuperação, além de experimentos utilizando as concentrações determinadas pelo CONAMA 357/2005 e experimentos de perfil temporal de formação de fitoquelatinas e resposta de biomarcadores após 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas de exposição. As análises das algas expostas demonstraram aumento na atividade da glutationa peroxidase (GPx), glutationa-Stransferase (GST) e ascorbato peroxidase (APx). No entanto, a catalase (CAT) não apresentou atividade detectável, nem mesmo na presença do metal. As análises teste de fitoquelatinas, GSH e GSSG foram inconclusivas, porém os novos testes realizados com concentrações legisladas e relativas ao IC50 mostraram alterações significativas nos níveis de GSSG e GSH para exposição ao cobre, no entanto, o grupo tratado com cádmio foi o único que apresentou fitoquelatinas detectáveis. A espécie Gracilaria domingensis tem demonstrado potencial como organismos bioindicador e os biomarcadores estão fornecendo resultados promissores. / In the last years great importance are being dedicated to the research of metals because of their environmental impact, persistence and the possibility of bioacummulation and biomagnification. The large amount of effluents produced by urban, industrial, agricultural and mining activities among others affect particularly the coastal areas. In this context, the algae which compose the basis of the foodweb, and have the capacity to stock metals decreasing their availability in the environment and therefore to other species inhabiting the area. Such characteristic make the algae a feasibly economic and ecological alternative to be used in bioremediation approaches. Macroalgae belonging to the genus Gracilaria, possess already an economical importance in the production of agar and, some of its metabolites are commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. The organisms of this genus can also be an indicator of the metal presence in the environment and the effects caused by these compounds potential biomarkers. The objective of this project is to assess the effect of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) on antioxidant or biotransformation enzymes in the algae Gracilaria domingensis and also the mechanisms of retention and detoxification of these metals. The description of these mechanisms can contribute to further use this macroalgae to bioremediation processes. Experiments established the IC50 of copper and cadmium in Gracilaria domingensis at 10.6 and 1.05 mg. L-1, respectively. Experiments using the copper\'s concentrations 5.3 and 10.6 mg. L-1 (½ IC50 and IC50) for 1, 24 and 48 h of were performed. Besides experiments with recovery groups, experiments using CONAMA 357/2005 concentration and experiment with different times of exposure (24, 48,72 and 96 hours) to understand better when phytochelatins starts to be produced and a profile of biomarkers The analysis of exposed algae to copper demonstrated an increased activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and ascorbate peroxidase (APx). Interestingly, the catalase (CAT) activity was not detected even though in the presence of metal. Other experiments using concentration determined by CONAMA and IC50 was performed, as well experiments using recovery groups, and a temporal profile, to see the results for 24, 48, 72 e 96 hours of exposure. The analysis of phytochelatine, GSH and GSSG test were inconclusive and new conducted tests with CONAMA\'s and IC50 concentration showed significant alterations in the levels of GSSG e GSH for the samples exposed to copper, however, only the group treated with cadmium demonstrated detectable levels of phytochelatin. The species Gracilaria domingensis has been demonstrating the potential as a bioindicator organism and the biomarkers are producing promising results.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de 32 espÃcies de algas marinhas das divisÃes Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta e Phaeophyta como fontes de α-, β-caroteno e α-tocoferol. Todas as Chlorophyta apresentaram α- e β-caroteno. O teor de α-caroteno variou de 0,814 Â 0,256 a 71,378 Â 3,550 μg.g -1 peso fresco, sendo mais elevado no gÃnero Caulerpa e mais baixo em Codium decorticatum. O teor de β-caroteno variou de 2,322 Â 0,736 a 26,705 Â 7,398 μg.g -1 peso fresco, sendo mÃnimo em C. mexicana e mÃximo em Ulva fasciata. Com relaÃÃo ao retinol equivalente (RE), as algas verdes apresentaram mÃnimo em C. mexicana (0,962 Â 0,256 μg.g -1 ) e mÃximo em Caulerpa prolifera (9,014 Â 0,442 μg.g -1 ). Considerando a ingestÃo de 100 g de alga fresca por dia, uma porÃÃo de Caulerpa prolifera forneceria 100% da ingestÃo diÃria recomendada (IDR). Todas as Chlorophyta apresentaram α-tocoferol, exceto Cladophora prolifera. Os teores mÃnimo e mÃximo foram 15,650 Â 2,634 e 383,047 Â 85,254 μg.g -1 peso fresco em Codium decorticatum e Caulerpa prolifera, respectivamente. Com relaÃÃo ao tocoferol equivalente (TE), a ingestÃo diÃria de 100 g de Caulerpa prolifera fresca forneceria quase quatro vezes mais que a IDR e a mesma porÃÃo de Codium decorticatum seria responsÃvel por apenas 1 /6 da IDR. Dentre as Rhodophyta estudadas, nove nÃo apresentaram α-caroteno. Nas outras onze, o seu teor oscilou de 0,487 Â 0,267 μg.g -1 em Solieria filiformis a 3,055 Â 0,278 μg.g -1 peso fresco em Botryocladia occidentalis. β-Caroteno foi encontrado em todas as espÃcies de algas vermelhas com valores mÃnimo e mÃximo de 0,336 Â 0,209 e 4,284 Â 0,607 μg.g -1 de peso fresco em Gracilaria caudata e Bryothamnion triquetrum, respectivamente. Com relaÃÃo ao RE, foi observado valor mÃnimo em Gracilaria caudata (0,056 Â 0,035 μg.g -1 ) e mÃximo em Bryothamnion triquetrum (0,764 Â 0,109 μg.g -1 ). Uma porÃÃo de 100 g de Bryothamnion triquetrum fresca forneceria um pouco mais de 1 /10 da IDR. Oito espÃcies de Rhodophyta estudadas nÃo apresentaram α-tocoferol. Nas outras doze, seu conteÃdo oscilou entre 4,809 Â 1,058 e 31,872 Â 5,883 μg.g -1 peso fresco, em Gracilaria ferox e Enantiocladia duperreyi, respectivamente. Em relaÃÃo ao TE, a ingestÃo diÃria de 100 g da alga E. duperreyi fresca forneceria 1 /3 da IDR. As Phaeophyta estudadas apresentaram apenas β-caroteno, com valores mÃnimo e mÃximo em Dictyopteris delicatula e Padina gymnospora, iguais a 0,266 Â 0,198 e 12,230 Â 2,859 μg.g -1 peso fresco, respectivamente. Com relaÃÃo ao RE, o teor mÃnimo foi observado em Dictyopteris delicatula (0,044 Â 0,033 μg.g -1 ) e mÃximo em Padina gymnospora (2,038 Â 0,476 μg.g -1 ). Considerando a ingestÃo diÃria de 100 g de alga fresca, uma porÃÃo de P. gymnospora seria responsÃvel por 1 /4 da IDR. As Phaeophyta apresentaram α-tocoferol, com valor mÃnimo em Lobophora variegata igual a 4,722 Â 2,062 μg.g -1 peso fresco e mÃximo em Dictyota dichotoma, igual a 42,817 Â 31,012 μg.g -1 peso fresco. Considerando a ingestÃo de 100 g de alga fresca por dia, uma porÃÃo de Dictyota dichotoma forneceria 1 /2 da IDR de TE / The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of 32 marine macroalga species belonging to Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta as sources of α-carotene, β-carotene and α-tocopherol. Both α-carotene and β-carotene were found in all species of green macroalgae analyzed. The content of α-carotene varied from 0.814 Â 0.256 to 71.378 Â 3.550 μg.g -1 fresh weight, being maximum in algae belonging to Caulerpa genus and minimum in Codium decorticatum. The amount of β-carotene varied from 2.322 Â 0.736 to 26.705 Â 7.398 μg.g -1 fresh weight, being minimum in C. mexicana and maximum in Ulva fasciata. Green macroalgae showed lowest retinol equivalents (RE) content in C. mexicana (0.962 Â 0.256 μg.g -1 ) and highest in Caulerpa prolifera (9.014 Â 0.442 μg.g -1 ). A 100 g portion of fresh Caulerpa prolifera would provide 100% of the Recommended Daily Ingestion (RDI) of RE. α-Tocopherol was found in all green macroalgae analyzed but Cladophora prolifera. Minimum and maximum content were observed in Codium decorticatum (15.650 Â 2.634 μg.g -1 fresh weight) and Caulerpa prolifera (383.047 Â 85.254 μg.g -1 fresh weight). Regarding tocopherol equivalents (TE), a 100 g portion of fresh Caulerpa prolifera would provide almost four times the RDI and the same amount of Codium decorticatum would provide only 1 /6 RDI. There was no α-carotene in nine Rhodophyta species. The other eleven showed values between 0.487 Â 0.267 μg.g -1 fresh weight in Solieria filiformis and 3.055 Â 0.278 μg.g -1 fresh weight in Botryocladia occidentalis. β-Carotene was found in all red macroalgae analyzed, exhibiting values of 0.336 Â 0.209 and 4.284 Â 0.607 μg.g -1 fresh weight in Gracilaria caudata and Bryothamnion triquetrum, respectively. The lowest RE was observed in G. caudata (0.056 Â 0.035 μg.g -1 ) and the highest in B. triquetrum (0.764 Â 0.109 μg.g -1 ). A 100 g portion of fresh B. triquetrum would provide less than 1 /10 RDI of RE. α-Tocopherol was not detected in eight species of Rhodophyta. In the other twelve, the content varied from 4.809 Â 1.058 to 31.872 Â 5.883 μg.g -1 fresh weight in Gracilaria ferox and Enantiocladia duperreyi, respectively. A 100g portion of fresh E. duperreyi would provide 1 /3 RDI of TE. Species of Phaeophyta contained β-carotene but no α-carotene. The lowest value for β-carotene was found in Dictyopteris delicatula (0.266 Â 0.198 μg.g -1 fresh weight) and the highest in Padina gymnospora (12.230 Â 2.859 μg.g -1 fresh weight). Regarding RE, the content varied from 0.044 Â 0.033 μg.g -1 to 2.038 Â 0.476 μg.g -1 for D. delicatula and P. gymnospora, respectively. A 100 g portion of fresh P. gymnospora would provide 1 /4 RDI of RE. α-Tocopherol was detected in all Phaeophyta species analyzed. The amount of α-tocopherol was 4.722 Â 2.062 μg.g -1 Lobophora variegata fresh weight and 42.817 Â 31.012 μg.g -1 Dictyota dichotoma fresh weight. A 100 g portion of fresh D. dichotoma would provide 1 /2 RDI of TE

Orientador: Ciro Cezar Zanini Branco / Banca: Rogério Antonio Krupek / Banca: Cleto Kaveski Peres / Resumo: Estudos anteriores sugerem que, aparentemente, existem padrões específicos para descrever a composição e a estrutura das comunidades de macroalgas em ambientes lóticos em função das características do bioma ao qual estão inseridos. Neste contexto, a presente dissertação objetivou avaliar, de forma comparativa, a composição, a estrutura das comunidades e a distribuição espacial das comunidades de macroalgas lóticas de duas unidades de conservação (UCs) com biomas distintos: Campos no Parque Estadual de Vila Velha (PVV) e Floresta Estacional Semidecidual no Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (PNI). Em adição, pretendeu-se comparar as comunidades de macroalgas nas quatro estações do ano, a fim de se verificar a possível existência de padrões temporais. As amostragens foram realizadas em 5 segmentos de riacho de 10 m de extensão, em cada UC, através da técnica da transeção, onde as variáveis abióticas (temperatura, oxigênio, pH, condutividade, turbidez, profundidade e velocidade da correnteza) foram mensuradas, assim como a presença e a abundância de cada espécie de macroalga. Estes parâmetros bióticos foram avaliados através da análise visual do leito do rio/riacho. As amostragens foram feitas uma vez a cada estação do ano. O estudo taxonômico registrou 37 macroalgas no total, sendo 16 táxons de ocorrência exclusiva no PVV, 18 táxons de ocorrência exclusiva no PNI e apenas 3 táxons com ocorrência em ambos os parques (Phormidium retzii, Hildenbrandia angolensis e Batrachospermum puiggarianum). O táxon com maior ocorrência no PVV foi o Zygogonium sp. (9 ocorrências), e no PNI o estágio "Chantransia" pygmaea foi o que ocorreu em maior número de pontos amostrados (15). Em relação aos tipos morfológicos, foram encontrados: filamentos livres (24%), filamentos gelatinosos (22%)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Previous studies suggest that, apparently, there are specific standards to describe the structure and composition of macroalgae communities in lotic environments depending on the characteristics of the biome to which they belong. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate, comparatively, the floristic composition, community structure and spatial distribution of lotic macroalgae communities from protected areas (PAs) with two distinct biomes, Grassland on Vila Velha State Park (VVP) and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest on the Iguazu National Park (INP). In addition, we intended to compare the macroalgal communities in the four seasons, to verify the possible existence of temporal patterns. The sampling sites were carried out from five segments of stream, 10 m length, in each PA, by means of the transect technique, where the environmental variables (temperature, oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, depth and current velocity) were measured, as well the presence and abundance of each species of seaweed. These biotic parameters were evaluated using visual analysis of stream/river. The samplings were taken once every season. The taxonomic study recorded 37 macroalgae in total, with 16 taxa occurring exclusively in VVP, 18 taxa occurring exclusively in INP and only three taxa occurring in both parks (Phormidium retzii, Hildenbrand angolensis and Batrachospermum puiggarianum). The taxon with the highest frequency of occurrence in the VVP was Zygogonium sp. (9 sites), whereas in INP "Chantransia" pygmaea is what happened to a greater number of sampled sites (15). Respecting the morphological types were found: free filaments (24%), gelatinous filaments (22%), mats (19%), gelatinous colonies... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Macroalgae are an important part of the coral reef ecosystem that has largely been overlooked. However, in the past few decades their abundances have increased and this has been attributed to combinations of coral mortality opening up space in the reef, decreased grazing and increased nutrient load in reefs. This dissertation illustrates a novel means of investigating the effect of various growth and disturbance factors on the dynamics of macroalgae at three different levels (individual, population and 3-species community). Macroalgae are modular and clonal organisms that have differing morphologies depending on the environment to which they are exposed. These traits were exploited in order to understand the factors that were acting on the dominant and common macroalgae in the Florida Reef Tract: Halimeda tuna, Halimeda opuntia and Dictyota sp. The agent-based model SPREAD (SPatially-explicit REef Algae Dynamics) was developed to incorporate the key morphogenetic characteristics of clonality and morphological plasticity. It revolves around the iteration of macroalgal module production in response to light, temperature, nutrients, and space availability, while fragmentation is the source for mortality or new individuals. These processes build the individual algae then the population. The model was parameterized through laboratory experiments, existing literature and databases and results were compared to independently collected field data from four study sites in the Florida Keys. SPREAD was run using a large range of light, temperature, nutrient and disturbance (fragmentation without survival) levels and yielded six morphological types for Halimeda tuna, and two each for Halimeda opuntia and Dictyota sp. The model morphological types that matched those measured in two inshore patch reefs (Cheeca Patch and Coral Gardens) and two offshore spur and groove reefs (Little Grecian and French Reef), were formed in conditions that were similar to the environmental (light, nutrient and disturbance) conditions in the field sites. There were also differences between species in the important factors that influenced their morphologies, wherein H. opuntia and Dictyota were more affected by disturbance than growth factors, while H. tuna morphology was affected by both. Allowing for fragmentation with survival in the model resulted in significantly higher population abundances (percent cover and density). The highest abundances were achieved under high fragment survival probabilities and a high disturbance level (but not large fragment sizes). Incorporating fragmentation with survival and simulating the variations in light, nutrients and disturbance between the inshore patch reefs and offshore spur and groove reefs in SPREAD led to comparable abundances of Halimeda in the virtual reef sites. Adding competition for space and light and epiphytism by Dictyota on the two Halimeda species suggests that it can regulate the populations of the three macroalgae. However, comparing model abundances to the field, competition may not be a strong regulating force for H. tuna in all the sites and H. opuntia in the patch reefs. H. opuntia in the offshore reefs is possibly competitively regulated. Although SPREAD was not able to capture the patterns in the population abundance of Dictyota, this points to the potential importance of other morphometrics not captured by the model, a variation in growth curves between reef habitats, or the differential contribution of sexual reproduction.

Constructed wetland treatment systems are environmental-friendly and economic technologies for wastewater treatments. The Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration collected the wastewaters from the salty water aquacultural ponds and community households in the adjacent areas and discharged them into salty water type of constructed wetland treatment systems, which is quite rare in Taiwan presently. According to the surveying result of water quality in these constructed wetland treatment systems in previous study, we found that some species of macroalgae Gracilaria, were existed in some units of the wetland systems. Further, we found that the wastewater treatment efficiencies of the constructed wetland systems could be substantially enhanced by the macroalgae. Reviewing some literatures also confirmed that the macroalgae, Gracilaria, can be effectively applied to aquaculture wastewater treatment because it is able to absorb the nutrients and benefits its own growth. Besides, it can reduce the algal bloom caused by excess nutrients. In this study, we explored the macroalgae Gracilaria¡¦s role in those saline constructed wetland wastewater treatment systems. In the laboratory scale study, a constructed wetland model tank was designed to culture Gracilaria as a way to explore the situation of wastewater treatment. The experimental results showed that when cultured in the still water system, the macroalgae, Gracilaria, was able to increase both of the levels of dissolved oxygen and pH in wastewater. Moreover, when it was cultured in its biomass density of 10 g/L for 4 days, the removal efficiency of chlorophyll-a concentration could ideally reach to 79.10 ¡Ó 7.62 %, while the total nitrogen, and total phosphorus could reach to 47.10 ¡Ó 25.93 % and 60.49 ¡Ó 45.29 % respectively. However, the reduction of ammonia nitrogen concentration was found rather obvious only one day after culture. Whereas, when the species of Gracilaria was cultured in the continuous flow system, we found that there were significant difference in the test result of the turbidity, chlorophyll-a, and BOD in the experimental group with addition of Gracilaria. After testing the concentrutions of chlorophyll-a over a long period of time, we found that the chlorophyll-a concentration were markedly increased when Gracilaria was not added. On the contrary, the chlorophyll-a concentration was remained stably when Gracilaria was added. When it comes to the nitrogen removal, we found that the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen in the experimental group could reach up to 92.27 ¡Ó 3.82 % in average. Other than that, it was found obvious decrease of the ammonia nitrogen concentration on the first day of culture. As to the test of soil¡¦s impact on the phosphorus removal, we found that the removal efficiency in the experimental group was higher than the group without soil. Therefore, the removal efficiency was found obviously higher when there was soil. In the continuous flow system, when the species of Gracilaria was added, the removal efficiency of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the model tank could reach averagely up to 75.23 ¡Ó 2.46 % and 53.96 ¡Ó 11.18 %, respectively. Comparing the experimental results by growth of Gracilaria for water quality with laboratory study and the saline constructed wetland systems in the Dapeng Bay, we found that the removal efficiencies of contaminants and nutrients could be enhanced by Gracilaria.

As human activity along coastlines increase, degradation and destruction of coastal marine ecosystems around the globe will increase at an alarming rate. In an effort to mitigate degradation and destruction of coastal marine ecosystems, artificial reefs have been used in restoration and enhancement projects. As artificial reefs are the main method of restoring diversity to a degraded area, it is important to know the mechanisms that drive marine community assembly and diversity on those reefs. Understanding community assembly patterns of foundational species, in particular, may provide insight to community assembly patterns at higher trophic levels. Subtidal macroalgae are commonly seen as foundational species in marine environments and both deterministic and stochastic processes play a role in their assembly. Environmental gradients, which are deterministic processes, play a significant role in structuring subtidal macroalgae communities. Depth, which is negatively correlated with light, is the main driver structuring subtidal macroalgal communities, however, other gradients such as water flow, and distance to a propagule source also impact their assembly. This study sought to determine which environmental gradients play a prominent role in subtidal macroalgal community assembly. To study subtidal macroalgal community assembly, 92 artificial reef units called Reef Balls were deployed east of the Ogden Point Breakwater in Victoria, BC in June 2009. Two years passed to allow for macroalgal growth and early successional processes to occur prior to sampling the communities on thirty Reef Balls via underwater collection in July 2011. Algae were sorted by genus and dry weight was measured. To determine effects of environmental gradients on community assembly light, depth, water flow, distance to the nearest Reef Ball and distance to the breakwater were measured at each Reef Ball. A redundancy analysis revealed that depth was the most significant environmental gradient shaping algae communities and had the greatest effect on upper canopy algae. Spatial plots reveal a depth and coastline zonation of algae genera comprising the canopy. While depth was found to significantly structure algae genera found in the canopy, there was a high degree of unexplained variation in the model. This suggests that unmeasured variables such as colonization and priority effects may be driving algal community structure in the lower canopy. Differences in community structure between upper and lower canopy reveal that multiple mechanisms are responsible for shaping subtidal algal communities. Further study is required to determine the importance of stochastic colonization events and priority effects. / Graduate / 0329 / vmucciar@uvic.ca

As human activity along coastlines increase, degradation and destruction of coastal marine ecosystems around the globe will increase at an alarming rate. In an effort to mitigate degradation and destruction of coastal marine ecosystems, artificial reefs have been used in restoration and enhancement projects. As artificial reefs are the main method of restoring diversity to a degraded area, it is important to know the mechanisms that drive marine community assembly and diversity on those reefs. Understanding community assembly patterns of foundational species, in particular, may provide insight to community assembly patterns at higher trophic levels. Subtidal macroalgae are commonly seen as foundational species in marine environments and both deterministic and stochastic processes play a role in their assembly. Environmental gradients, which are deterministic processes, play a significant role in structuring subtidal macroalgae communities. Depth, which is negatively correlated with light, is the main driver structuring subtidal macroalgal communities, however, other gradients such as water flow, and distance to a propagule source also impact their assembly. This study sought to determine which environmental gradients play a prominent role in subtidal macroalgal community assembly. To study subtidal macroalgal community assembly, 92 artificial reef units called Reef Balls were deployed east of the Ogden Point Breakwater in Victoria, BC in June 2009. Two years passed to allow for macroalgal growth and early successional processes to occur prior to sampling the communities on thirty Reef Balls via underwater collection in July 2011. Algae were sorted by genus and dry weight was measured. To determine effects of environmental gradients on community assembly light, depth, water flow, distance to the nearest Reef Ball and distance to the breakwater were measured at each Reef Ball. A redundancy analysis revealed that depth was the most significant environmental gradient shaping algae communities and had the greatest effect on upper canopy algae. Spatial plots reveal a depth and coastline zonation of algae genera comprising the canopy. While depth was found to significantly structure algae genera found in the canopy, there was a high degree of unexplained variation in the model. This suggests that unmeasured variables such as colonization and priority effects may be driving algal community structure in the lower canopy. Differences in community structure between upper and lower canopy reveal that multiple mechanisms are responsible for shaping subtidal algal communities. Further study is required to determine the importance of stochastic colonization events and priority effects. / Graduate / 0329 / vmucciar@uvic.ca

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / In South Africa the green macroalga Ulva armoricana is the main species of macroalgae cultured. The species is currently the largest aquaculture (2884.61 tonnes) product by weight with a corresponding capacity for biogas (CH₄) production. We have shown that biotransformation of U. armoricana to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is viable and economically feasible as a clean fuel. pH toxicity tests showed that U. armoricana can be used as a health index, under potentially increased CO₂ concentrations that can occur in IMTA carbon sequestration. We have shown sporulation to be the morphological response to environmental stress, which is indicative of chlorophyll degradation and a reduction in the photosynthetic activity of the alga. With the exception of Cadmium (Cd), the physico-chemical values obtained and the dissolved nutrient/heavy metals uptake by the alga all fell within the FAO/WHO permissible standards. Our Cd values therefore negate the use of these macroalgae for human consumption. We have also shown that U. armoricana can be used in eco-monitoring by playing a significant role in wastewater filtration and bioaccumulation. Nutrient utilization and proximate composition results show that African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus) grow well on a protein-enriched Ulva diet, suggesting that enriched Ulva has the potential to be a successful fish feed. This thesis suggests among others, that South Africa could take advantage by being the first African country to propose specific standards for edible macroalgae as its successful research innovations and development provides a template for other African countries to further their aquaculture sectors. Additional benefits (bioremediation, ocean de-acidification through the capture of atmospheric and dissolved CO₂ during growth to assist in climate change mitigation) from Ulva farming activities bode well for the aquaculture industry.

MONTEIRO, Lorena Soares. Absorção de nutrientes pela macroalga Gracilaria Birdiae (Plastino & Oliveira, 2002) sob diferentes condições físicoquímicas. 2011. 84 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Fortaleza-CE, 2011 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-07-19T12:37:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_lsmonteiro.pdf: 9821963 bytes, checksum: fad7e704cc8bfb703229d456567e5115 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-07-19T13:28:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_lsmonteiro.pdf: 9821963 bytes, checksum: fad7e704cc8bfb703229d456567e5115 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-19T13:28:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_lsmonteiro.pdf: 9821963 bytes, checksum: fad7e704cc8bfb703229d456567e5115 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Among marine resources, seaweeds have emerged as the one which have the largest industrial use. Their abundance and diversity make them a great source of raw material for countless products for human and animal use. More over seaweeds have a widely environmental importance, regarding to the atmospheric O2, water nutrients removing, fossil fuels, and also on the harvest of animals that eat marine algae. Shrimp culture is directly dependent on a good water quality for satisfactory production, therefore maintain the quality of shrimp farms effluent means to perpetuate the activity. Seaweeds absorb nutrients from the water and use them for their growth, while contribute to the environmental improvement of aquatic ecosystems. Gracilaria species stand out for the ability to quickly absorb large amounts of dissolved nutrients, not only organic, but also inorganic nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the nutrients removal from the effluent water from a shrimp farm by the seaweed G. birdiae, in order to provide information for a possible integrated shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and seaweed (G. birdiae) culture. For this, we used 25 containers, randomly distributed, with five treatments and five replications of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g of seaweed in 3 L of the effluent water from shrimp farm plus a control without seaweed. These procedures were performed with constant illumination and with a 12h light and dark photoperiod. The animals resistance of to periods of low oxygen, and the nutrients input generated by cultured animals have been checked. Each experiment lasted two weeks and the results showed that the alga G. birdiae has the capacity to withdraw from the shrimp farm effluent a satisfactory amount of ammonia and phosphorus in a short period of time, and still maintain, under illumination, sufficient concentrations of oxygen in the water. LISTA DE / Dentre os recursos oriundos do mar, as macroalgas destacam-se como as de maior aproveitamento industrial. A sua abundância e diversidade as tornam fontes de matéria-prima para uma infinidade de produtos de uso humano e animal, além dos benefícios ambientais resultantes da atividade algal na forma de O2 atmosférico, remoção de nutrientes da água, modulação climática, combustíveis fosseis e também na colheita de organismos que se alimentam das algas. A carcinicultura depende diretamente da boa qualidade da água para obter resultados satisfatórios de produção, portanto manter a qualidade do efluente da carcinicultura significa perpetuar a atividade. As macroalgas utilizam os nutrientes absorvidos para seu crescimento, enquanto contribuem com o melhoramento da qualidade ambiental dos ecossitemas aquáticos. Espécies do gênero Gracilaria destacam-se pela capacidade de absorver rapidamente grandes quantidades de nutrientes dissolvidos orgânicos e inorgânicos. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a remoção de nutrientes da água de efluente de carcinicultura por macroalgas marinhas G. birdiae, a fim de fornecer informações para um possível cultivo integrado entre as espécies Litopenaeus vannamei e Gracilaria birdiae. Para isso, foram utilizados 25 recipientes onde foram distribuídos, aleatoriamente, 5 tratamentos com 5 repetições, contendo 5, 10, 15 e 20 g de algas em 3 L de água de efluente de carcinicultura e ainda um controle sem algas. Este procedimento foi realizado com iluminação constante e ainda com fotoperíodo de 12h de claro e escuro, sendo também verificado a resistência dos animais a situação de déficit de oxigênio e o aporte de nutrientes para a água de cultivo dos animais. Cada experimento durou duas semanas e os resultados mostraram que a alga G. birdiae tem capacidade de retirar da água do efluente da carcinicultura em um curto período de tempo e em quantidades satisfatórias amônia e fósforo e ainda manter, sob iluminação, concentrações suficientes de oxigênio na água.