Date

4-2023

Project Type

URC Presentation

Department

COLSA

College or School

COLSA

Class Year

Senior

Major

Marine, Estuarine, & Freshwater Biology

Faculty Research Advisor

Amanda McQuaid

Second Faculty Research Advisor

Jim Haney

Third Faculty Research Advisor

Thomas Shevenell

Abstract

Lake eutrophication and cyanobacteria blooms have been a central theme in water quality discussions, and such issues are reportedly on the rise. Lake sediments can serve as historical records for past events, revealing changes in the ecology and water quality of lakes over time. We set out to investigate cyanobacterial signatures from sediment cores to assess relative changes of cyanobacteria in Norway Pond over time. Sediment concentrations of cyanobacteria pigments (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin) and cyanotoxins (microcystins) from sediment, and sediment–water interfaces, were determined in Norway Pond. Hand-held fluorometry and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) were employed. Pigments and toxins were evident throughout the sediment core, with relatively higher concentrations detected from sediment core slices (0-2 cm) that represented more recent years (~0-10 years) (0.63 ug PC / g dwt, 1.63 ug PE / g dwt, 0.024 ug Chl / g dwt, and 0.81 ug MC/ g dwt). This simple approach may serve as a screening tool for evaluating historical relative abundances and toxicity of cyanobacteria from individual lakes.

Rights

Belongs to UNH & the Town of Hancock for independent learning and research.

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