Furcellaria lumbricalis light and temperature experiment

The aim of the study was to identify the biological properties of Furcellaria lumbricalis, a macroalga originating from the waters of the Puck Bay, by determining the effect of basic abiotic factors (light intensity and water temperature) on the change in thallus biomass.

The most optimal cultivation conditions based on a laboratory experiment were established for the water temperature range from 10 ℃ to 15 ℃ and light between 170 µmol m-2 s-1 and 200 µmol m-2 s-1 photons. Based on the experiment, it was shown that the Furcellaria lumbricalis growth limiting factor is high water temperature to a greater extent than intense light. High temperature combined with high light led to high fragmentation and necrosis of the thallus. Intensive overgrowth of thallus with rich epiphyton communities took place in each variant of the experiment. The use of artificial seawater for the Furcellaria lumbricalis breeding and the purification of the thallus prior to the start of the experiments was an insufficient method to avoid overgrowth of the thallus and breeding tanks by undesirable taxa. During the experiment, a decrease in the content of biogenic salt ions, i.e. NH4+, NO3 and PO43-, was observed in seven-day periods. In turn, the content of NO2ions in the culture medium increased. However, the results regarding the content of nutrients depending on the variant used are difficult to interpret due to the presence of undesirable taxa, therefore further experimental work is required.

In the longer perspective, the obtained research results can be used in planning more effective breeding of Furcellaria lumbricalis  in laboratory conditions or in activities aimed at improving the condition of the environment of the Gulf of Gdańsk (e.g. by restitution of the Furcellaria lumbricalis).

 




Photo: F.lumbricalis lumbricalis

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