Article
Environmental Sciences
Hudson R. DeYoe, Warren Pulich, Melissa Lupher, Ram Neupane, Carla G. Guthrie
Summary: The Lower Laguna Madre of Texas is a hypersaline lagoon with low freshwater inflow. The decrease in seagrass beds, particularly Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme, is attributed to high freshwater pulses and nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. It is concluded that these factors stress seagrasses and diminish resilience, and with climate change and population growth, the frequency and duration of hyposalinity episodes and nutrient runoff are expected to increase, further altering seagrass diversity.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bo-Mi Kim, Yeonhui Lee, Jhee-Yeong Hwang, Young-Ki Kim, Tae Wan Kim, Il-Nam Kim, Seunghyun Kang, Jin-Hyoung Kim, Jae-Sung Rhee
Summary: This study investigated the effects of salinity fluctuations on the Antarctic harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus kingsejongensis, finding that female copepods were more tolerant to hypo- and hypersalinity compared to males. Lifespan was significantly shortened under hypo- and hypersalinity, but there was no significant difference in sex ratio between salinity treatments. Multigenerational experiments showed that exposure to certain salinities reduced body length compared to control.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Rugiu, Pierre de Wit, Iita Kostian, Veijo Jormalainen
Summary: The study revealed that in the predicted future low salinity environment in the northern Baltic Sea, the survival of Idotea balthica will be affected, and there is genetic variation in tolerance to low salinity. Genetic diversity may decrease further under future salinity conditions.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Apple Pui Yi Chui, Yue Him Wong, Jin Sun, Taison Ka Tai Chang, Jian-Wen Qiu, Pei-Yuan Qian, Put Ang Jr
Summary: Climate change has led to elevated sea surface temperature and increased frequency of extreme weather events, resulting in reduced seawater salinity. This study examined the response of Acropora pruinosa larvae to high temperature, low salinity, and the combined effects of both stressors. The results showed that larval survivorship was not affected, but settlement rates were significantly lower under stress treatments. Gene expression analysis revealed that low salinity triggered genes related to ATP production, protein translation, and neuroactive ligand receptors, while high temperature activated MAPK and NF-kB signaling and apoptosis. The combined stressor treatment resulted in up-regulation of intracellular transducers, leading to larval settlement failure.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Rachel Canham, Scott A. Flemming, David D. Hope, Mark C. Drever
Summary: Estuaries of major rivers are important stopover habitats for migratory birds, but the study found that Western Sandpipers in the Fraser River estuary showed a significant declining trend, while Pacific Dunlins did not show a significant change. High discharge rates from the Fraser River were associated with lower shorebird counts, likely due to abrupt changes in salinity and the estuarine food web. Additionally, shorebird counts were higher during neap tides, potentially due to longer exposure times on the mudflats.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sungwhan Kim, Carlos Quiroz-Arita, Eric A. Monroe, Anthony Siccardi, Jacqueline Mitchell, Nathan Huysman, Ryan W. Davis
Summary: This study aimed to determine the potential for an attached algae flow-way system to efficiently produce algal biomass in estuarine surface waters by utilizing dilute non-point source nutrients. Over a two-year period, continuous ash-free biomass production at 4 to 10 g/m(2)/day was achieved. Machine learning models were used to assess environmental factors impacting biomass production, with total solar irradiation being the greatest contributor to net productivity. The results can be used as a decision-making tool for biomass production and preventing algal blooms in the environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meaghan R. Cuddy, Kenneth H. Dunton
Summary: Seagrass tissues can serve as valuable indicators of nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the western Gulf of Mexico. The species Halodule wrightii is more sensitive to nutrient source changes, while Thalassia testudinum has slower leaf turnover. In the upper reaches of the Lower Laguna Madre, seagrass tissues exhibited higher isotopic and N:P ratios, likely due to inputs from N-fixing cyanobacterial mats.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Blanco, P. Moran, A. P. Diz, C. Olabarria, E. Vazquez
Summary: Increased heavy rainfall can reduce salinity in estuaries, affecting commercially important clam species and cockles. However, studies on the molecular response to hyposaline stress in bivalves are limited. This study found that the mantle-edge proteome was more responsive to sampling time than to hyposalinity, and reproductive stages influenced the stress response. The proteome profiles of some bivalve species were modulated by hyposalinity, involving proteins related to various biological pathways. However, essential proteins for an optimal osmotic stress response were found in small abundance. The response to osmotic stress in bivalves is complex and influenced by both controlled and uncontrolled variables.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. B. Abdullahi, S. R. Jufar, S. Kumar, T. M. Al-shami, B. M. Negash
Summary: Low salinity water (LSW) flooding combined with the traditional polymer flooding process (called low salinity polymer, LSP flooding) could significantly improve oil recovery efficiency. This study investigated the effect of polymer concentration, salinity, and temperature on LSP flooding, as well as the interaction between clay minerals and LSP slug. The experiments showed that LSP flooding recovered more additional oil compared to high salinity polymer (HSP) flooding.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dongkyu Cha, Subhash C. Ayirala, Mohammed B. AlOtaibi, Ali A. AlYousef
Summary: This study utilizes a cryogenic electron microscope and liquid-cell holder to visualize and characterize the interactions between injection brine, oil, and carbonate rock. The results provide nanoscale images and chemical mapping, providing valuable insights for optimizing salinity and injection water compositions in carbonate reservoirs.
Article
Fisheries
Karsoon Tan, Weijie Fu, Hongkuan Zhang, Hongyu Ma, Shengkang Li, Huaiping Zheng
Summary: This study compared the performance of intraspecific inbred and hybrid Chlamys nobilis under hyposaline conditions. The results showed that intraspecific hybridization of C. nobilis exhibited significant positive heterosis in growth rate, survival rate, and adaptation to hyposaline condition. This stronger adaptation is mainly attributed to the induction of genes involved in osmoregulation, cell protection, and damaged protein repair. Intraspecific hybridization may be a potential management strategy to mitigate the impact of hyposaline on farmed bivalves.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Cesar Davila Hernandez, Jungseok Ho, Dongchul Kim, Abdoul Oubeidillah
Summary: During the Atlantic hurricane season, storms pose a constant risk to Texan coastal communities and others along the Atlantic coast of the United States. This work presents a machine-learning-based storm surge forecasting model for the Lower Laguna Madre, which can predict upcoming hurricanes, storm surges, and normal conditions using forecasted weather data and previous sea levels. The model, utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), achieves accurate storm surge predictions with minimal differences compared to numerical models.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cong Zhou, Mei-jie Yang, Zhi Hu, Yan Zou, Pu Shi, Yong-ren Li, Yong-jun Guo, Hao Song, Tao Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the physiological responses of euryhaline marine bivalves to hyposaline and hypersaline environments. The study found that bivalves regulate intracellular osmolarity by inhibiting amino acid biosynthesis and enhancing aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis during hypo saline exposure. Additionally, autophagy and neuroendocrine regulation play important roles in salinity adaptation in bivalves.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Pedro M. Santos, Joao A. Silva, Jose Lino Costa, Ana Pombo
Summary: Salinity has a significant impact on survival, growth, gametogenic development, and gonadal coloration of sea urchins. Rearing sea urchins at low salinity conditions (20 and 25 psu) negatively affects somatic and gonadal yield.
Article
Thermodynamics
Li Jianbo, Zhang Chen, Liu Kai, Yin Li, Kong Xiangqiang
Summary: This study focuses on recovering salinity gradient energy (SGE) between desalinated seawater and seawater from desalination plants using a reverse electrodialysis (RED) approach, and investigates the impact of different parameters on the performance of a RED stack. The results show that a high concentration, temperature, and flow rate can efficiently improve the performance of the RED stack.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
I-Shuo Huang, Paul Zimba
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jeffrey A. Kimbrel, Ty J. Samo, Christopher Ward, Daniel Nilson, Michael P. Thelen, Anthony Siccardi, Paul Zimba, Todd W. Lane, Xavier Mayali
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2019)
Article
Fisheries
Paxton T. Bachand, James J. Tallman, Nicole C. Powers, Megan Woods, Danial Nasr Azadani, Paul Zimba, Jeffrey W. Turner
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Zhang, Steven M. Gorelick, Paul Zimba
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
I. Shuo Huang, Paul Zimba
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
I-Shuo Huang, Lee J. Pinnell, Jeffrey W. Turner, Hussain Abdulla, Lauren Boyd, Eric W. Linton, Paul Zimba
Article
Plant Sciences
Paul V. Zimba, Sergei Shalygin, I-Shuo Huang, Milica Momcilovic, Hussain Abdulla
Summary: The Laguna Madre-Tamaulipas is the world's largest hypersaline lagoon with unique cyanobacteria and toxin production. A new filamentous cyanobacterium with drilling abilities has been discovered in this lagoon, displaying atypical behaviors. This discovery suggests the establishment of a new taxon and family due to significant morphological, physiological, and phylogenetic differences from its closest genus, Oxynema.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
David E. Berthold, Forrest W. Lefler, I-Shuo Huang, Hussain Abdulla, Paul Zimba, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: The study introduces a novel toxic species of cyanobacteria, Iningainema tapete, which produces high levels of nodularin toxins, posing potential risks to food production and workforce.
Article
Plant Sciences
Adam M. Chorazyczewski, I-Shuo Huang, Hussain Abdulla, Xavier Mayali, Paul V. Zimba
Summary: This study demonstrated that the interactions between heterotrophic bacteria and microalgae can impact the accumulation of intracellular lipids and extracellular metabolites, suggesting that the utilization and accumulation of compounds outside the cell play a role in regulating microbial interactions.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
I-Shuo Huang, Nicole Pietrasiak, Christopher J. Gobler, Jeffrey R. Johansen, JoAnn M. Burkholder, Sue D'Antonio, Paul Zimba
Summary: Cyanobacterial blooms have been on the rise due to climate change and human activities, leading to the accumulation of bioactive compounds that can impact human health and the environment. This study analyzed bioactive metabolites in 71 genera of cyanobacteria from different habitats, revealing varying patterns of metabolite production among freshwater, marine, and terrestrial genera. The findings provide valuable insights for environmental management and highlight the toxin potential of terrestrial cyanobacteria.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leisha M. A. Martin, Jian Sheng, Paul V. Zimba, Lin Zhu, Oluniyi O. Fadare, Carol Haley, Meichen Wang, Timothy D. Phillips, Jeremy Conkle, Wei Xu
Summary: Nanoplastic pollution poses a threat to humans and ecosystems. Researchers have found that iron oxide nanoparticles with hydrophobic coatings can be used to successfully isolate and separate nanoplastic particles from water samples.
Article
Biology
ThankGod Echezona Ebenezer, Ross S. Low, Ellis Charles O'Neill, Ishuo Huang, Antonio DeSimone, Scott C. Farrow, Robert A. Field, Michael L. Ginger, Sergio Adrian Guerrero, Michael Hammond, Vladimir Hampl, Geoff Horst, Takahiro Ishikawa, Anna Karnkowska, Eric W. Linton, Peter Myler, Masami Nakazawa, Pierre Cardol, Rosina Sanchez-Thomas, Barry J. Saville, Mahfuzur R. Shah, Alastair G. B. Simpson, Aakash Sur, Kengo Suzuki, Kevin M. Tyler, Paul V. Zimba, Neil Hall, Mark C. Field
Summary: Euglenoids are unicellular flagellates with wide geographical and ecological distribution. They have biotechnological potential and show promise in fields such as biofuels, nutraceuticals, bioremediation, cancer treatments, and robotics design. However, the lack of reference genomes hinders the development of these applications. The Euglena International Network aims to overcome these challenges.
Article
Agronomy
Richard M. Johnson, Albert J. Orgeron, Douglas J. Spaunhorst, I-Shuo Huang, Paul V. Zimba
Summary: Controlling weeds is crucial in sugarcane production. Hyperspectral and pigment analyses were used to accurately differentiate between sugarcane and weeds. By implementing this technology as an aerial or tractor-based system, sugarcane growers can effectively manage their crops and reduce costs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chanoknard Karnjanapak, I-Shuo Huang, Preyanut Jaroensuk, Sutaporn Bunyajetpong, Paul Zimba, F. Gerald Plumley
Summary: Phycobilins, photosynthetic pigments found in cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes, can be technically difficult to analyze due to their attachment to proteins. This study demonstrated that glycerol can uncouple PE545, a phycobilin complex, from its light-harvesting role, providing a simple method to determine its content in Rhodomonas. Additionally, recovery of PE545 from acetone-extracted cells using SDS in low pH buffers offers samples for analyzing chlorophylls and carotenoids.
Correction
Marine & Freshwater Biology
I-Shuo Huang, Paul V. Zimba