Comparative lipidomics of the Seagrasses Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima in the Chesapeake Bay
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) are two of the most common species of temperate seagrass found in coastal Virginia. Although information exists on Zostera and its fatty acid composition in different environments, little is known about Ruppia. In addition, the impact of varied growth conditions (average temperature, nutrients) across differing environments is not well known. The goal of this research was to compare lipid composition of these two different species of seagrass in several locations, and understand if different environments affect the fatty acid composition of these seagrasses.
Three samples of each species from three different locations around Goodwin Island at the mouth of the York River were analyzed together with two additional Zostera samples collected from the South Bay of the Eastern Shore in Oyster, VA. Each sample was separated by their roots, shoots, and rhizomes with the leaves subject to extraction and analysis. After freeze drying, samples were extracted with organic solvents, subjected to alkaline hydrolysis, and the fatty acid composition in the leaves of each sample determined through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
The major fatty acids of Zostera included polyunsaturated C18 and saturated C16 acids as well as smaller amounts of long-chain fatty acids through C24. The fatty acid distribution in Ruppia was similar, but had different proportions when compared to Zostera and showed small amounts of several fatty acids not present in Zostera. Spatial differences in fatty acids plus other cellular components between the two seagrasses are being compared.
The results of this research will lead to a better understanding of the relationship between fatty acid composition and seagrass health and growth.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
H. Rodger Harvey
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean and Earth Sciences Department
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Marine Biology | Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | Plant Biology
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
Comparative lipidomics of the Seagrasses Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima in the Chesapeake Bay
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) are two of the most common species of temperate seagrass found in coastal Virginia. Although information exists on Zostera and its fatty acid composition in different environments, little is known about Ruppia. In addition, the impact of varied growth conditions (average temperature, nutrients) across differing environments is not well known. The goal of this research was to compare lipid composition of these two different species of seagrass in several locations, and understand if different environments affect the fatty acid composition of these seagrasses.
Three samples of each species from three different locations around Goodwin Island at the mouth of the York River were analyzed together with two additional Zostera samples collected from the South Bay of the Eastern Shore in Oyster, VA. Each sample was separated by their roots, shoots, and rhizomes with the leaves subject to extraction and analysis. After freeze drying, samples were extracted with organic solvents, subjected to alkaline hydrolysis, and the fatty acid composition in the leaves of each sample determined through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
The major fatty acids of Zostera included polyunsaturated C18 and saturated C16 acids as well as smaller amounts of long-chain fatty acids through C24. The fatty acid distribution in Ruppia was similar, but had different proportions when compared to Zostera and showed small amounts of several fatty acids not present in Zostera. Spatial differences in fatty acids plus other cellular components between the two seagrasses are being compared.
The results of this research will lead to a better understanding of the relationship between fatty acid composition and seagrass health and growth.