28309 - Applied Marine Botany

Learning outcomes

After attending the course the student will have acquired knowledge on the role of the photosynthetic organisms in organic matter production, in the relationships between photosynthesis and primary production and on the different environmental abiotic factors as well as biotic interactions, climate changes and pollution effects influencing such production. The student will have acquired expertise in methods of study of phytoplankton which are applied in cultures or in the field (biomass, growth rate, photosynthetic eficciency) and on methods used in oceanography strictly related to phytoplankton physiology (chlorophyll analysis and fluorescence, global primary production evaluation, remote sensing). The student will also know the organic matter flux dynamics and the influence of phytoplankton ecophysiology on biogeochemical cycles and on common water column measurements.

Course contents

Marine plants and their environment. Characteristics of the algae: cells, reproduction and evolution. Anatomy, life cycle and ecology of main marine photosynthetic taxa. Importance and use of phytoplankton in oceanographic studies and methods of measurements of: biomass, growth rate, primary production, respiration and excretion. Phytoplankton growth dynamics and satellite observations. Structure, organization and role of photosynthetic and fotoprotective pigments. Photosynthesis irradiance relationships, photoinhibition and fotoacclimation events. Macronutrient absorption and utilization, limitant nutrients, Redfield ratio, influence of nutrients on species competition. Carbon concentrating mechanisms and organication. Effect of climate changes (CO2 and temperature increase, acidfication) on phytoplankton growth and photosynthesis.

Introduction to the cultivation of cyanobacteria and microalgae in open and closed systems for the industrial valorization of algal biomass or extractable biomolecules.

Readings/Bibliography

Power point files will be available in the teaching material, they will be integrated with lecture notes and papers.

Teaching methods

The course is composed of 2 parts:

• 3 CFU of frontal lectures held from Prof. Pezzolesi
• 2 CFU of frontal lectures and 1 CFU of practical teaching held by Dr. Guerrini

Prof.ssa Pezzolesi will hold the theoretical lessons illustrating how phytoplankton and its specific components/parameters are used for studies and monitoring at the coastal and oceanographic level.  Prof. Guerrini holds a Module called METHODS OF STUDY OF PHYTOPLANCTON consisting in lectures on the biodiversity of marine plants and microalgae cultivation methods. The CFU of exercises consists in water samplings in the field, in different sites and/or at different depths using various sampling methods (net, Niskin bottle, integrated sampler), in measuring some parameters of the water column (oxygen, salinity, temperature, irradiance) and in the analysis of biomass by means of chlorophyll measurements performed in the laboratory. These measurements will be used to calculate water quality indices. This practical part will be strongly integrated with the contents of the theoretical lessons held by Prof. Pezzolesi. 

The exercises will be held partly in the field and partly in the laboratories (mainly the teaching laboratories will be used however some instruments useful to carry out specific analyzes are located in the research laboratories) and will end with the processing of data in the computer room.

Students will be divided into 2 or more groups based on the activities, at the end of which they will be asked to deliver the spreadsheet developed under the guidance of the teacher. The attendance of the exercises is not compulsory, however the students who do not participate in presence must still deliver the spreadsheet and during the exam the learning of this partwill be verified.

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires all students to complete the e-learning modules 1 and 2 [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio], and to participate to module 3 on specific training on safety and health in the places of study. Information on dates and methods of attendance of module 3 are reported in the specific section of the degree program website.

Assessment methods

The final examination aims to the following objectives evaluation:

• Knowledge of the characteristics of the marine plant taxa
• Knowledge of the ecophysiological aspects of phytoplankton and the use of cell parameters for the study of the water column
• main monitoring methods
• Microalgae cultivation methods and biomass valorisation
  

The exam is oral, the teacher will ask 3 questions comprising the evaluation of a graph with the results obtained during the practical or shown during lectures and included in the slides.

The dates of the exams will be published on the almaesami website. Students could book for the exams using the methods provided by the online almaesami system.

Teaching tools

Power point files and scientific papers.

Students who need compensatory tools for reasons related to disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) can directly contact the Service for Students with Disabilities (disabilita@unibo.it) and the Service for Students with learning disabilities (dsa@unibo.it) to agree on the adoption of the most appropriate measures.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Pezzolesi

See the website of Franca Guerrini