Sensitivity of Marine Cynobacteria and Green Microlage to Nano and Bulk Zinc Oxides

Authors

Jennifer Gil-Acevedo 3664585Follow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

Kateel G. Shetty

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Krishnaswamy Jayachandran

Second Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Miroslave Gantar

Third Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Keywords

microalage, cyanobacteria, green microalage, nanoparticles, sunblock, absorbance, microorganism, photosynthetic, south florida

Date of Defense

9-27-2018

Abstract

Nanoparticles are particles with sizes between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm). Owing to their unique chemical, electrical, mechanical, optical, and piezoelectric properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are finding widespread use in numerous applications with yearly production over 550 tons per year. Increasing use of ZnO NPs, and NPs in wastewater discharges from domestic and industrial sources will have significant potential for adverse impacts on aquatic phototrophic organisms. Comparative studies on microalgae species response to ZnO NPs and variation in tolerance among species is still mostly unexplored. The proposed research aims to evaluate interspecies’ variation in tolerance to ZnO NPs among marine and freshwater microalgae. Multi-well culture plate and flask culture screening methods were utilized for assessing microalgae species’ tolerance to various levels of ZnO NPs. Microalgae cell morphology changes in response to nano ZnO exposure were explored using both the Optical Coherence Microscope (OCM) and SEM. Availability of Nano ZnO tolerant microalgae species may provide an impetus for future studies to understand the mechanism of tolerance and potential applications in NPs bioremediation in aquatic systems.

Identifier

FIDC007056

Recommended Citation

Gil-Acevedo, Jennifer 3664585, "Sensitivity of Marine Cynobacteria and Green Microlage to Nano and Bulk Zinc Oxides" (2018). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3845.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3845