An Inside Look on Eutrophication in the Blue Marsh Reservoir by Identifying Cyanobacteria and Their Associated Toxin Genes: A Method to Use Cyanophages to Decrease Harmful Algal Blooms
Open Access
Author:
Moawad, Rana
Area of Honors:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Tami H Mysliwiec, Thesis Supervisor Sandy Feinstein, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
eutrophication harmful algal blooms cyanobacteria Blue Marsh Reservoir HABs cyanophages water quality anthropogenic
Abstract:
The eutrophication of water caused by the accumulation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) is a growing global humanitarian issue. The accumulation of HABs results in water quality depletion, which is damaging to aquatic and human life (Heisler, 2008). The growth of HABs is predominantly due to the presence of cyanobacteria. Cyanophages were examined to target cyanobacteria to circumvent the destructiveness of anthropogenic HABs. The methodology employed was to isolate, culture, and identify cyanobacteria present in the water samples collected from the Blue Marsh Reservoir. Isolation of cyanophages was attempted in hopes of amplifying the cyanophages. The objective was to insert a set phage solution density into the water samples, and the cyanobacteria concentration was to be measured before and after treatment. This project focused on using a mesocosm approach to extract, isolate, and amplify cyanophages collected from the Blue Marsh Reservoir water samples. The intended outcome was to examine the potential of using cyanophages as a solution to the urgent problem of HABs in water eutrophication and as a possibility for improving water quality and preserving aquatic life.
