Many different species of microalgae live on the surface of eelgrass leaves and can limit the growth and survival of the eelgrass. Microalgae are single-celled photosynthetic organisms, and overgrowth by epiphytic algae has been implicated in the decline of seagrasses worldwide. Traditionally, microalgae have been identified using microscopy, which is difficult, time consuming, and relies on qualitative observations. The purpose of this research project is to develop an analytical method to measure extracted photopigments as a means of microalgae identification. High Performance Liquid Chromatography will be used to separate and measure photopigments chlorophyll a, fucoxanthin, and zeaxanthin, which are common to many microalgae communities. Calculated ratios of the three photopigments can be used to identify microalgae taxonomy. Results from this project will investigate the relative abundance of different microalgae communities on eelgrass collected from field sites in Massachusetts and examine how algal community structure varies with eelgrass health.
On reverse: Jah Hut #3. Chicken roosting place. A chick is descending from the box. He walks to the point where he now is a ? from this point to the ground. [Note long strands of rattan hanging through the floor of the house and ? under the house. In the doorway of the house a man is slicing down the rattan which he will sell to China man]
