TITLE: Effects of matter inputs on marine microbial communities structure and metabolism.
PhD project of Sandra Martínez-Garcia

SUPERVISOR & CO-SUPERVISORS
Emilio Fernandez and Eva Teira (University of Vigo, Spain)
University of Vigo

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The magnitude of the inputs of inorganic and organic matter into the oceans as well as the ratio between these components are expected to change as a result of natural and anthropogenic changes in climate. Variations in frequency, strength and quality of these inputs will likely affect the structure and functioning of planktonic microbial communities in the world oceans. The direction of these changes are expected to be dependent on the initial dominant community and on the interactions between microbial components.

The present PhD project aims to test this hypothesis. We are conducting a set of microcosms experiments in open and coastal ocean sites. In these experiments, we simulate quantitative and qualitative changes in nutrient fluxes to surface waters by means of a series of addition treatments. We studied the effects of inorganic (nitrate, phosphate and silica) and organic (glucose and aminoacids) inputs separately as well as the joint effect of both components on microplankton community structure and metabolism.

This PhD work is part of the project titled 'Effect of inorganic and organic nutrient addition on the structure and function of the planktonic microbial community in the Ría de Vigo and adjacent shelf, (AddEx)' and is in collaboration with project 'Trichodesmium spp. and N2 fixation in the tropical Atlantic (TRYNITROP)'. Both projects are being conducted by researchers at the Marine Ecology Laboratory at the University of Vigo (Spain).