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.
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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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.