Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Koch, Marguerite

Abstract

Sulfide accumulation in carbonate sediments of tropical seagrass communities may be responsible for widespread die-back of Thalassia testudinum in Florida Bay. Root hydroponic chambers were used to determine the effects of below-ground exposure to 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 10.0 mM sulfides. T. testudinum ATP, energy charge, photosynthesis and growth responses were determined after 48 h under light saturation. Root ATP, energy charge and adenylate ratios were all significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when exposed to 2.0-10.0 mM sulfides. Leaf elongation rates declined by an average of 43% in the 2.0-6.0 mM treatments and 63% in the 10.0 mM treatment. Although root energy charge, ATP production and leaf elongation rates declined after sulfide exposure, concentrations up to 10.0 mM failed to produce visual signs of sulfide toxicity or mortality. Photosynthesis and leaf EC remained high after sulfide treatments, suggesting a resilience of T. testudinum to short-term sulfide exposure.

Extent

61 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1999.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1999.

Identifier

FADT15672

Format

pdf

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