Residence Time of V. coralliilyticus on Microplastics

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Vibrio coralliilyticus is a pathogenic bacterium that targets corals and can cause tissue lysis and coral death in tropical corals. The effects of this bacterium on temperate corals have not been studied. The goal of this experiment is to determine whether V. coralliilyticus remains culturable while on microplastics and whether temperature has an affect on the bacterial residence time on microplastics. We use the upper end of the habitable temperature range for Astrangia poculata, a temperate coral found along the US east coast. To test this, V. coralliilyticus was grown in 2216 Marine Broth containing microplastics for 3 days. Microplastics then were individually placed onto TCBS agar plates and incubated at 30°C for 24-48 hours. Results revealed bacterial growth on all microplastics plated. Next, we are testing whether V. coralliilyticus remains culturable on microplastics in seawater aquaria at 22°C, 25°C, 28°C and 32°C. To do this, 3 tanks were set up: a control, microplastics only, and microplastics+V. Coralliilyticus. For the last treatment, microplastics were grown in broth with bacteria as before. Samples of microplastics and seawater are taken from each tank over time and plated until no growth on TCBS plates is observed. At 22°C, Day 1 samples had bacterial growth on 47% of microplastics, Day 2 samples had growth on 13% of microplastics, and Day 3 samples exhibited no growth. Experiments at higher temperatures will be conducted soon. Determining the residence time of V. coralliilyticus within a small range of temperatures can help us in understanding whether microplastics contribute to the spread of coral disease.

Presenting Author Name/s

Marlie Rivera, Lauryn O'Kelley Fields

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Heather Sheffey, Dr. Fred Dobbs

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Ocean and Earth Sciences Department

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Other Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

Session Title

Poster Session

Location

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Start Date

3-25-2023 8:30 AM

End Date

3-25-2023 10:00 AM

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Mar 25th, 8:30 AM Mar 25th, 10:00 AM

Residence Time of V. coralliilyticus on Microplastics

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Vibrio coralliilyticus is a pathogenic bacterium that targets corals and can cause tissue lysis and coral death in tropical corals. The effects of this bacterium on temperate corals have not been studied. The goal of this experiment is to determine whether V. coralliilyticus remains culturable while on microplastics and whether temperature has an affect on the bacterial residence time on microplastics. We use the upper end of the habitable temperature range for Astrangia poculata, a temperate coral found along the US east coast. To test this, V. coralliilyticus was grown in 2216 Marine Broth containing microplastics for 3 days. Microplastics then were individually placed onto TCBS agar plates and incubated at 30°C for 24-48 hours. Results revealed bacterial growth on all microplastics plated. Next, we are testing whether V. coralliilyticus remains culturable on microplastics in seawater aquaria at 22°C, 25°C, 28°C and 32°C. To do this, 3 tanks were set up: a control, microplastics only, and microplastics+V. Coralliilyticus. For the last treatment, microplastics were grown in broth with bacteria as before. Samples of microplastics and seawater are taken from each tank over time and plated until no growth on TCBS plates is observed. At 22°C, Day 1 samples had bacterial growth on 47% of microplastics, Day 2 samples had growth on 13% of microplastics, and Day 3 samples exhibited no growth. Experiments at higher temperatures will be conducted soon. Determining the residence time of V. coralliilyticus within a small range of temperatures can help us in understanding whether microplastics contribute to the spread of coral disease.