Research Areas > Nutrients > Nutrient Cycling in Estuaries > Macroalgal Dynamics in Estuaries
Project Group: Macroalgal Dynamics in Estuaries
SCCWRP Research
Macroalgae are class of large multicellular plants typically found in shallow estuaries and lagoons. While macroalgae are a natural component of estuarine habitat, some species of macroalgae flourish in nutrient-enriched waters. SCCWRP and partners (principally UCLA) have been conducting a series of studies to better understand the factors that control macroalgal growth and its interaction with other components of the estuarine ecosystem. This work is important because macroalgae are a potential management endpoint for addressing nutrient over-enrichment in estuaries. Research is needed to better understand to what extent macroalgal blooms impair estuarine habitat and other beneficial uses, as well as the role of macroalgae in nutrient cycling. Understanding how macroalgae cycle nutrients can help to refine the water quality models that are used to develop sustainable total maximum daily load (TMDL) limits for nutrient levels.
Macroalgal mat (left); example of rapid biological use (uptake) of nitrate (N03) by one species of macroalgae (right).
Projects involving macroalgal dynamics in estuaries include:
This page was last updated on: 1/21/2010