Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Lapointe, Brian E.

Abstract

Benthic algal species receive elevated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability as anthropogenic activities increase the loading of nutrients into coastal waters. Pelagic species could also be responding to this nutrient enrichment. This study compared the tissue nutrient content and productivity of three benthic and two pelagic species of Sargassum. We hypothesized that the benthic species would have a higher tissue nutrient content and productivity than the pelagic species and the pelagic species would have a higher tissue nutrient content and productivity than historic data. The tissue nutrient content and net productivity of the benthic and pelagic species were not significantly different indicating that the pelagic species are receiving high levels of nutrient availability comparable to that of the benthic species. Pelagic species in the current study exhibited significantly higher N:P ratios and net productivity than the historic data, suggesting a shift from N to P limitation and increased productivity.

Extent

65 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00004695

Format

pdf

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