28309 - Applied Marine Botany

Learning outcomes

After attending the course the student will have acquired knowledge on the role of the photosynthetic organisms in organic matter production, in the relationships between photosynthesis and primary production and on the different environmental abiotic factors as well as biotic interactions, climate changes and pollution effects influencing such production. The student will have acquired expertise in methods of study of phytoplankton which are applied in cultures or in the field (biomass, growth rate, photosynthetic eficciency)  and on methods used in oceanography strictly related to phytoplankton physiology (chlorophyll analysis and fluorescence, global primary production evaluation, remote sensing). The student will also know the organic matter flux dynamics and the influence of phytoplankton ecophysiology on biogeochemical cycles and on common water column measurements.

Course contents

Marine plants and their environment. Characteristics of the algae: cells, reproduction and evolution. Anatomy, life cycle and ecology of main marine photosynthetic taxa. Plankton classification and buoyancy adaptation. Definition, physiological significance, methods of measurements in laboratory and in the field of: biomass, growth rate, primary production, respiration and excretion. Structure, organization and role of photosynthetic and fotoprotective pigments. Photosynthesis irradiance relationships (functional and effective light adsorption, quantum yield, photoinhibition, fotoacclimation). Macronutrient absorption and utilization, relationship with primary production (limitant nutrients, growth model of Monod e Droop, Redfield ratio, influence of nutrients on species competition). Carbon concentrating mechanisms and organication. Effect of climate changes on phytoplankton growth and CO2 utilization. Phytoplankton dynamics.

Readings/Bibliography

Power point files will be available in the teaching material, they will be integrated with lecture notes.

Teaching methods

The course is composed of 5 CFU with frontal lectures and 1 CFU of practical teaching (Module "Phytoplankton study methods" held by Dr. Franca Guerrini). The latter is performed in the teaching lab or in the research lab due to the presence of specific instruments.  The practical is performed with phytoplankton cultures and has the aim to teach classical methods used in phytoplankton studies.

Assessment methods

The final examination aims to the following objectives evaluation:

• Knowledge of the characteristics of the marine plant taxa
• Knowledge of the ecophysiological aspects of phytoplankton and the use of cell parameters for the study of the water column

The exam is oral, the teacher will ask 3 questions comprising the evaluation of a graph obtained during the practical or shown during lectures 

Teaching tools

Power point files and scientific papers

Laboratory application of physiological aspects of the phytoplankton

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Pistocchi

See the website of Franca Guerrini