RESEARCH & INNOVATION
when the temperature averaged 29.6 degrees Celsius. After six days, the Sargassum replicates were collected and analysed. “The study revealed a significant difference in the growth rate between the three morphotypes. During the cool period S. fluitans III grew significantly faster than the other two morphotypes, and S. natans I outgrew S. natans VIII. During the warm period, the growth was reduced for all morphotypes, but this reduction was only significant for S. fluitans III. Regardless, S. fluitans III remained the fastest growing morphotype. “Overall, over the full temperature range of the study, the same trend was observed during the cooler period where S. fluitans III was the fastest-growing morphotype. Based on the calculations, S. fluitans III was capable of doubling its biomass in 13 days on average. S. natan I, the second fastest growing morphotype, doubled its biomass in about three weeks (22 days), and the slowest growing morphotype, S. natans VIII had a doubling time of around 31 days.” Corbin said the results match up with current trends in morphotype composition of Sargassum rafts where S. fluitans III is the dominant morphotype. These research findings were presented during the 3 rd UWI Sargassum Symposium held 9-10 March 2023. Senior Lecturer with CERMES Dr. Janice Cumberbatch described the event as a critical step in a journey that started in 2015 when The UWI, led by CERMES, focused on understanding the phenomenon of Sargassum and how to help this region cope with and thrive under annual influxes. u
Dr. Janice Cumberbatch Senior Lecturer, CERMES The UWI, Cave Hill Campus
in the Tropical Atlantic, the influence of temperature on Sargassum growth and develop an IN-SITU system (a technique in which a mechanism is placed in the natural environment) for Sargassum growth assessments. S argassum samples were collected on the East Coast of Barbados at Consett Bay and taken to the marine-protected Carlisle Bay on the South- Western Coast. The samples were placed in growth mesocosms (experimental ecosystems) , constructed out of perforated five-litre plastic bottles with floats to keep them buoyant, and deployed 140 metres offshore. The study was conducted in May when the temperature averaged around 27.6 degrees Celsius and repeated in August
CHILL NEWS 55
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