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Record Search Query:

The effects of human impacts on Antarctic sponge species in the Ross Sea

Entry ID: K059_2001_2003_NZ

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Summary

Abstract: The effects of human impacts on the microbial and chemical ecology of Antarctic sponge species was investigated. Sponges dominate many of the shallow marine Antarctic habitats and due to the large volumes of seawater that they filter are ideal indicator organisms for assessing benthic conditions. The microbial flora and the symbiotic relationship associated with several Antarctic sponge species ... (Homaxinella balfourensis, Kirckpatricia variolosa, Latrunculia apicalis, Mycale ascerata and Sphaerotylus antarcticus) was examined by collecting samples of each sponge species at sites of high impact (Winterquarters Bay, McMurdo sewage outfall, Scott Base RO Intake), low impact (Cape Armitage) and pristine conditions (Pram Point, Turtle Rock and Cape Evans). Tissue samples were taken for microbial cultivation on a minimum of 6 media, electron microscopy, 16S rRNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting and DNA probing where the DNA was frozen for DNA and chemical analysis. These techniques were used to monitor changes in microbial diversity with increasing levels of pollution stress. The level of contamination at each site is being defined by heavy metal, hydrocarbon and nutrient analysis of sediments and bivalves and fecal coliform counts from seawater and sediment. Samples were analysed for heavy metals, total nitrogen and phosphorous, hydrocarbons, persistant organic pollutants and tributyltin (TBT). Microbial symbionts are increasingly being identified as the source of many compounds isolated from sponges. The chemical ecology of Antarctic sponges was examined and the within and between site biochemical variation, and the influences of pollution on secondary metabolite production both as an indicator of stress and as a source of novel and potentially valuable chemistry was investigated from these samples. Glass slides were deployed to examine the relative development of biofilms and recruitment at each site after one year. The total microbial communities were described using cultivation and molecular techniques to analyse population changes with respect to increasing levels of pollution as microbial biofilms can also have a strong influence on the settlement of many reef invertebrates. The key outputs of this research include a series of diagnostic test for measuring sub-lethal stress responses that can provide environmental managers with valuable predictive information, and a library of novel Antarctic microbial symbionts as well as invertebrate extracts for natural product screening programs.

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -77.0

S: -78.0

E: 167.0

W: 166.0

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2001-10-14

Stop Date: 2001-10-26

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > SCOTT BASE

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > CAPE EVANS

Science Keywords

HUMAN DIMENSIONS > ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE/MANAGEMENT > ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > SPONGES

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

ENVIRONMENT

Platform

LABORATORY

FIELD INVESTIGATION

Quality WRT sample storage all the biological samples (sponges, sediments) are stored in the bulk -20 degree freezer in the Chemistry Department at the University of Canterbury. Please contact:

Professor Murray Munro
Department of Chemistry
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch
New Zealand
...

Access Constraints If the samples/cultures are wanted to be transeferred from their current location, the receiving lab needs to have the necessary containment certification (i.e. PC2 containment) and transfers have to be done according to MAF protocol. Otherwise the work will need to be completed at the University of Canterbury. All access is restricted to approval from Professor Murray Munro, Associate Professor Tony Cole, and the investigator Dr Nicole Webster.

Ancillary Keywords

sponges

microbial symbionts

human impacts

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

NICOLE S WEBSTER

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Phone: +61 7 4753 4151

Fax: +61 7 4772 5852

Email: n.webster at aims.gov.au

Contact Address:

Australian Institute of Marine Science

PMB 3

Townsville MC

City: Townsville

Province or State: Queensland

Postal Code: 4810

Country: AUSTRALIA

CEISHA POIROT

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

SHULAMIT GORDON

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

Publications/References

Negri, A.P. Hales, L.T. Battershill, C. Wolff, C. Webster, N.S. TBT contamination identified in Antarctic marine sediments. Marine pollution bulletin 48: 1142-1144, 2004.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2003-08-14

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-02-27

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