Professor Michael Borowitzka

Room: BSBT/1.001A

Research

(1) Ecophysiology of marine seaweeds and microalgae; (2) commercial-scale culture of microalgae for valuable chemicals, carbon dioxide bioremediation, wastewater treatment and aquaculture; (3) algae-sponge symbioses and sponge ecology; (4) intertidal ecology and organismal interactions.

Projects

The application of coccolithophorids as carbon dioxide sinks

The coccolithophorids are planktonic algae which form calcareous plates (coccoliths) on their surface and they represent the largest CO₂ sink in the oceans. The project involves a study of growth, calcification and photosynthetic CO₂ fixation of these algae and the factors limiting these in large-scale cultures. Alternatively the project could involve the examination of several large-scale culture systems for the culture of these algae. The project is part of a larger project with industry developing these algae as a means of reducing atmospheric CO₂.

Nutrient limitation in phytoplankton and primary production

Phytoplankton in the oceans are often limited by nutrients such as Fe, N and/or P. The rapid evaluation of the physiological status of phytoplankton is extremely important to biological oceanography and the assessment of the state of our oceans. This project will evaluate the use of a new method, PAM fluorometry, as a rapid measure of the nutrient status and photosynthetic capacity of phytoplankton. The PAM data will be compared with satellite remote sensing of chlorophyll fluorescence with the aim of improving the analysis of this satellite data to estimate oceanic primary production.

Intertidal ecology in the Perth region

Intertidal platforms in the Perth region are generally characterised by a high algal cover and relatively few invertebrates. However, very little is known of the dynamics of these ecosystems and what environmental factors determine the observed distribution of organisms. The project would examine several physical and biotic factors and their importance in structuring the intertidal communities.

Studies of the symbiosis between the sponge Haliclona cymiforme and the red alga

Ceratodictyon spongiosum

This common coral reef sponge/algal symbiosis represents a very interesting experimental system for the study of organismal interactions and symbioses. We have the algae partner, Ceratodictyon in culture and are studying how the sponge influences the growth and morphology of the alga which has a very different growth morphology in culture when compared to the intact symbiosis. The interaction appears to be chemical. The project involves both culture work and physiological studies. This project is a joint project with the University of Sydney.

Soil algae

Algae are common component of the soil flora however little is known of their ecological roles, especially in Australia. The project would examine the soil algal flora of the Perth coastal plain and it’s role in structuring the soil and nutrient availability to the plants.

Production of Biodiesel

Many unicellular algae have a high cellular content of lipids and oils and are considered important possible sources of a renewable fuel, biodiesel. This project would examine the condition required for high lipid production by selected algae and how this can be achieved in large scale cultures.

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