Presentation Abstract
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a marine angiosperm found in coastal temperate waters worldwide. Eelgrass is a vital part of coastal ecosystems providing nurseries for fish, habitat for invertebrates, sediment stabilization, coastal protection, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. In the tropics, seagrass beds have demonstrated their ability to decrease the abundance of the bacterial pathogen Enterococcus. Enterococcus-associated pathogens can sicken humans and other animals in the water. This work examines microbial community composition in seagrass beds in Puget Sound and the underlying mechanisms involved in pathogen filtration by seagrass beds. We assessed microbial abundance and composition using Enterococcus assays as well 16S sequencing using environmental DNA (eDNA) samples. We also examined the relationship between pathogen abundance and environmental factors such as temperature, pH, light, and dissolved oxygen in different sites of Puget Sound, Washington. In laboratory experiments we assessed the impact of dissolved oxygen on the potential filtration service of Z. marina. Preliminary results indicate that there is high variability in Enterococcus abundance between sites and a slight reduction of pathogens within Z. marina beds. The large variability in bacterial abundance may be due to local oceanographic characteristics at each site. This research has large implications for aquaculture, fisheries, conservation, and human health. Furthermore, given the global distribution of eelgrass, this research has direct applications to human and ecosystem health worldwide.
Session Title
Eelgrass and Nearshore Management Plans
Conference Track
SSE9: Nearshore
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-219
Start Date
27-4-2022 11:30 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 1:00 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Zostera marina--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Coastal zone management--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Coastal ecosystem health--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Enterococcus--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Pathogen Filtration: an untapped ecosystem service
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a marine angiosperm found in coastal temperate waters worldwide. Eelgrass is a vital part of coastal ecosystems providing nurseries for fish, habitat for invertebrates, sediment stabilization, coastal protection, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. In the tropics, seagrass beds have demonstrated their ability to decrease the abundance of the bacterial pathogen Enterococcus. Enterococcus-associated pathogens can sicken humans and other animals in the water. This work examines microbial community composition in seagrass beds in Puget Sound and the underlying mechanisms involved in pathogen filtration by seagrass beds. We assessed microbial abundance and composition using Enterococcus assays as well 16S sequencing using environmental DNA (eDNA) samples. We also examined the relationship between pathogen abundance and environmental factors such as temperature, pH, light, and dissolved oxygen in different sites of Puget Sound, Washington. In laboratory experiments we assessed the impact of dissolved oxygen on the potential filtration service of Z. marina. Preliminary results indicate that there is high variability in Enterococcus abundance between sites and a slight reduction of pathogens within Z. marina beds. The large variability in bacterial abundance may be due to local oceanographic characteristics at each site. This research has large implications for aquaculture, fisheries, conservation, and human health. Furthermore, given the global distribution of eelgrass, this research has direct applications to human and ecosystem health worldwide.
