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INTERNAL OXYGEN DYNAMICS AND RHIZOSPHERE OXIDATION IN TROPICAL SEAGRASS, THALASSIA TESTUDINUM

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Date Issued:
2023
Abstract/Description:
Large-scale seagrass mortality events have been linked to internal hypoxia and exposure to phytotoxins in the sediment, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Although seagrasses can transport oxygen (O2) to belowground tissues (rhizomes and roots) and into surrounding sediment to prevent H2S intrusion, reoccurring seagrass mortality events from H2S exposure continue. In the present study, I examined the potential of tropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum to transport O2 effectively to belowground tissues and diffuse O2 into Florida Bay sediment around the root rhizosphere or sediment-root interface to constrain H2S diffusion into the roots. My approach was to (1) examine the spatial distribution of O2 in the rhizosphere during the light and dark with 2-D planar optode sensors, (2) examine patterns of root O2 loss (ROL) with O2 dye tracing experiments, and (3) measure O2 and H2S dynamics in internal tissues and rhizospheres. My results indicate that T. testudinum effectively sustains oxidation in belowground tissues to constrain H2S, but minimal evidence of ROL into the rhizosphere.
Title: INTERNAL OXYGEN DYNAMICS AND RHIZOSPHERE OXIDATION IN TROPICAL SEAGRASS, THALASSIA TESTUDINUM.
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Name(s): Winn, Nathaniel, author
Koch-Rose, Marguerite , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Environmental Sciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2023
Date Issued: 2023
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 67 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Large-scale seagrass mortality events have been linked to internal hypoxia and exposure to phytotoxins in the sediment, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Although seagrasses can transport oxygen (O2) to belowground tissues (rhizomes and roots) and into surrounding sediment to prevent H2S intrusion, reoccurring seagrass mortality events from H2S exposure continue. In the present study, I examined the potential of tropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum to transport O2 effectively to belowground tissues and diffuse O2 into Florida Bay sediment around the root rhizosphere or sediment-root interface to constrain H2S diffusion into the roots. My approach was to (1) examine the spatial distribution of O2 in the rhizosphere during the light and dark with 2-D planar optode sensors, (2) examine patterns of root O2 loss (ROL) with O2 dye tracing experiments, and (3) measure O2 and H2S dynamics in internal tissues and rhizospheres. My results indicate that T. testudinum effectively sustains oxidation in belowground tissues to constrain H2S, but minimal evidence of ROL into the rhizosphere.
Identifier: FA00014365 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Turtle grass Seagrasses
Thalassia testudinum
Hydrogen sulfide--Environmental aspects
Rhizosphere
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014365
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU