Multi-Component Evaluation to Minimize the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Seaweeds, Harmful Algal Bloom Microalgae, and Invertebrates via the Live Bait Vector in Long Island Sound

The goal of the project was to protect guard Long Island Sound from the introduction of non-native organisms that may be imported via fishing bait worms and the seaweed packing material known as wormweed (Ascophyllum nodosum). The project examined bait for non-native invertebrate animals, macroalgae (also known as seaweeds), and harmful, toxin-producing microalgae. Bait was purchased from retail bait shops at locations ranging from northeastern Long Island Sound along the Connecticut shoreline to the southwestern part of the Sound in Long Island. Using a combination of visual and microscopic inspection, and sophisticated molecular biological techniques to detect the presence of microalgal cells, the study questioned whether (i) non-native organisms were being imported via bait worms, and if so whether; (ii) non-native organisms vary according to purchase location, or; (iii) time of year. Overall, 14 species of macroalgae, two species of harmful microalgae (Alexandrium fundyense, and Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries), and 23 different categories of invertebrate animals were discovered among the wormweed. Only one of the microalgal species was not native to Long Island Sound. Overall, location (eastern vs. western, northern vs. southern Long Island Sound) did not affect the number of algal or invertebrate species. Temperature did affect algal diversity and abundance, however, both in post-collection incubation (5° \u3c 15° = 25°) and seasonally (summer produced highest numbers). Invertebrates were most abundant in summer as well. The Gulf of Maine now harbors a diverse suite of non-native organisms. These may be exported to other areas of the U.S. via national bait wholesalers and cause ecological harm to the receiving ecosystem. In addition to potential ecological impacts associated with the import of non-native organisms, economic harm is also possible. For example, commercial shellfishing beds may be closed when harmful microalgae bloom in coastal waters. With ca. 470 retail bait shops in NY and CT, the chances of introduction of harmful non-natives is not trivial. For example, in our 18 month study of four locations, we discovered the harmful non-native microalga Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries in 58% of our samples

New England Seaweed Culture Handbook

A new 92-page handbook published by Connecticut Sea Grant provides instruction on nursery culture for four economically and ecologically valuable seaweeds. The volume builds on decades of research on the physiological and culture techniques led by Dr. Charles Yarish at UConn and Dr. Christopher Neefus, U. of New Hampshire

Culture of Sargassum in Korea: Techniques and Potential for Culture in the U.S.

In an effort to develop suitable culture techniques for macroalgae in the Northeast, this guide reviews the current knowledge of Sargassum biology and reports on culture techniques learned during a research exchange between the United States (NOAA Sea Grant) and South Korea (National Fisheries Research and Development Institute)

Comparative analysis of morphometric traits of farmed sugar kelp and skinny kelp, Saccharina spp., strains from the Northwest Atlantic

© The Author(s), 2021. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Umanzor, S., Li, Y., Bailey, D., Augyte, S., Huang, M., Marty-Rivera, M., Jannink, J., Yarish, C., & Lindell, S. Comparative analysis of morphometric traits of farmed sugar kelp and skinny kelp, Saccharina spp., strains from the Northwest Atlantic. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, (2021), https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12783.Our team has initiated a selective breeding program for regional strains of sugar kelp, Saccharina latissima, to improve the competitiveness of kelp farming in the United States. Within our breeding program, we also include an endemic putative species, Saccharina angustissima, locally referred to as skinny kelp. We crossed uniclonal gametophyte cultures derived from 37 wild‐collected blades representing five sugar kelp strains and one skinny kelp strain to produce 104 unique crosses. Each cross was outplanted on a near‐shore research farm located in the Gulf of Maine (GOM). After the first farming season, our results indicated that sugar kelp and skinny kelp were interfertile, and produced mature and reproductively viable sporophytes. Morphological traits of individual blades varied depending on the parental contribution (sugar vs. skinny), with significant differences found in progeny blade length, width, thickness, and in stipe length and diameter. Despite these differences, wet weight and blade density per plot showed no statistical differences regardless of the cross. Given their published genetic similarity and their interfertility shown here, S. angustissima and S. latissima may not be different species, and may each contribute genetic diversity to breeding programs aimed at meeting ocean farming and market needs.Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, ARPAe MARINER project contract number DE‐AR0000915 and DE‐AR0000911, AgCore Technologies of Rhode Island, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, AmplifyMass Program

Characterization of agar from Gracilaria tikvahiae cultivated for nutrient bioextraction in open water farms

Gracilaria tikvahiae, an endemic western North Atlantic red alga, was cultivated for nutrient bioextraction in urbanized estuarine waters in Long Island Sound and the Bronx River Estuary, USA. This study assesses the feasibility of an integrated approach of using G. tikvahiae produced in this bioextraction system as sustainable biomass source for agar production. Agars were extracted after alkaline pre-treatment and characterized in terms of gelling strength, chemical composition, chemical structure and gel structure. Results indicated that this seaweed performed similar to other cultivated Gracilaria in terms of extraction yield and gelling strength of the agar. Differences between sites were not significant in terms of agar gel strength, though yield was higher at Long Island Sound. The extracted agars were sulfated, methylated and with no detectable pyruvate substituents. It is possible to use an integrated strategy of nutrient bioextraction in urbanized estuarine waters and agar exploitation with G. tikvahiae.NFWF -Ministry of Education(8012.08.030370)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Restoring Pre-Industrial CO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e Levels While Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

© 2020 by the authors. Unless humanity achieves United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and restores the relatively stable climate of pre-industrial CO2 levels (as early as 2140), species extinctions, starvation, drought/floods, and violence will exacerbate mass migrations. This paper presents conceptual designs and techno-economic analyses to calculate sustainable limits for growing high-protein seafood and macroalgae-for-biofuel. We review the availability of wet solid waste and outline the mass balance of carbon and plant nutrients passing through a hydrothermal liquefaction process. The paper reviews the availability of dry solid waste and dry biomass for bioenergy with CO2 capture and storage (BECCS) while generating Allam Cycle electricity. Sufficient wet-waste biomass supports quickly building hydrothermal liquefaction facilities. Macroalgae-for-biofuel technology can be developed and straightforwardly implemented on SDG-achieving high protein seafood infrastructure. The analyses indicate a potential for (1) 0.5 billion tonnes/yr of seafood; (2) 20 million barrels/day of biofuel from solid waste; (3) more biocrude oil from macroalgae than current fossil oil; and (4) sequestration of 28 to 38 billion tonnes/yr of bio-CO2. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) costs are between 25–33% of those for BECCS with pre-2019 technology or the projected cost of air-capture CDR