Bacterial community profiles before, during, and after Pseudo-nitzschia bloom events in Santa Cruz, CA.

Abstract:

Pseudo-nitzschia blooms are known to occur in coastal environments, sometimes leading to the production of the neurotoxin domoic acid. Various environmental factors (nutrients, temperature, pH, UV radiation etc.) have been implicated in the promotion and demise of these blooms but it is currently unknown if bacteria also plays a role in this ecological phenomenon. Studies suggest that bacteria have a profound effect on Pseudo-nitzschia physiology and toxin production, which influences its dominance in coastal environment. Here, we investigate the microbial assemblages before, during and after toxic and nontoxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms to determine the patterns of bacterial succession in these events. Bacterial community profiles were determined weekly at the Santa Cruz Wharf using next generation sequencing and analyzed together with domoic acid levels, nutrients, temperature and phytoplankton structure. Bacterial structures and environmental trends will be correlated with the bloom events and will be subsequently discussed.