Abstract:

The south Texas coast experienced a bloom of dinoflagellate Karenia brevis in September of 2015. Samples of this natural plankton community were collected from the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel and exposed to 10ppm concentrations of dispersed oil. The morphological response of Karenia brevis cells following exposure to a 10ppm treatment of dispersed crude oil was observed using a continuous imaging flow cytometer (FlowCAM). The Equivalent Spherical Diameter (ESD), aspect ratio and circle fit were some of the measured parameters.

Suggested Citation:

Moison, Maud. 2021. Effect of oil and dispersant on the morphology of dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/KE93JJRS

Publications:

Quigg, A., Parsons, M., Bargu, S., Ozhan, K., Daly, K. L., Chakraborty, S., … Buskey, E. J. (2021). Marine phytoplankton responses to oil and dispersant exposures: Knowledge gained since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 164, 112074. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112074

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of dispersed crude oil on the morphology of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis cell. Karenia brevis is a toxin producing dinoflagellate which causes harm to its surrounding marine environment when it blooms to high densities. It is important to know the effects of an oil spill event on this species.

Data Parameters and Units:

Date, Treatment, Species (Karenia brevis), Run#, Particle ID, Aspect Ratio, Ch2/Ch1 Ratio, Circle Fit, Compactness, Diameter (ABD), Diameter (ESD), Elongation, Geodesic Aspect Ratio, Geodesic Length, Geodesic Thickness, Intensity, Length, Perimeter, Transparency, Volume (ABD), Volume (ESD), Width - measured in micron A dinoflaggellate Karenia brevis sample was collected from the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel within these coordinates: 27.837466,-97.050630 27.838197,-97.050630 27.838197,-97.049772 27.837466,-97.049772.

Methods:

A natural sample of dinoflagellate Karenia brevis was collected from the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel and sieved through 153um mesh to eliminate larger particles. A dispersed crude oil concentration of 1:20 oil to Corexit was added to the sample and incubated for 7 days. Samples were then run through the FlowCAM on day 1, 3 and 7 to take measurements of the Karenia brevis cells and observe any morphological changes.

Instruments:

FlowCAM; 153um mesh sieve

Individual Files: