College: University of Otago

Thesis title: The effect of changing ocean pH on the assembly of marine microgels

Co-supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Chris Hepburn  (Department of Marine Science, University of Otago), Dr Federico Baltar (Department of Limnology & Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna)

Project description:

Marine microgels are self-assembling bundles of dissolved organic matter (DOM) polymers, important as both a food source and protective substrate for marine bacteria. As the severity of ocean acidification increases, it is important to assess its impacts on marine life. The aim of this study is to determine how changing the pH of seawater alters the assembly of the microgels and how this impacts both the productivity of marine bacteria, and also the sinking rate of the gels.