Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons^™

Using Bivalves As An Indicator For Fecal Bacteria, Kamala Chuss

Honors Scholar Theses

This project focuses on the integration of fecal bacteria from warm-blooded animals into bivalve tissue, and the utilization of bivalves as an indicator for fecal bacteria in waterways. Bivalves may give a more representative long-term average of fecal bacteria in water as compared to direct water testing. The primary objective is to create a standard operating procedure to use bacterial testing of bivalves as a proxy for bacteria concentration in the water. This method can be used in places where bivalves do not already exist by adding them to a body of water, or by collecting bivalves that already exist …

Bioindicators Of Mercury In Riverine Systems, Kathryn Mudica

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in freshwater food webs, with emphasis on bioindicators, such as macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and river otters. Despite regulatory efforts and advancements in monitoring, significant gaps remain in understanding mercury dynamics in freshwater systems—especially regarding its transport, methylation, and bioavailability across different ecosystems. To address these knowledge gaps, this study adopts a biocentric approach, emphasizing the role of living organisms in their environment. By utilizing macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and river otters as bioindicators, we aim to assess mercury bioavailability and distribution. These organisms provide varying temporal and spatial scales of mercury accumulation, offering …

The Relationship Between Salvinia Molesta Infestation And The Microbial Ecology Of Wetlands At Caddo Lake, Tx, Usa, Martin Hadsell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands are known to host many beneficial geochemical processes such as nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. These processes are primarily driven by the microbial communities within a wetland. The establishment of non-native invasive species within wetlands has the potential to alter the once beneficial functionality of wetland microbial communities due to the sensitivity microbes have towards environmental changes. Because of this, several metagenomic studies have been conducted to assess microbial community response to aquatic plant invasion; however, there haven’t been any studies researching the influence of Salvinia molesta (D.S. Mitch.), commonly known as Giant Salvinia, on microbial communities. The goal …

Induced Systemic Resistance Against Nematodes By Plant Growth-Promoting Microbes In Potatoes, Cole Grannan

Master's Theses

Biofertilizers consist of plant growth-promoting microorganisms that establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots and stems. These beneficial microbes play a crucial role in enhancing plant defenses against various threats including insects, nematodes, and microbial pathogens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two fungal biofertilizers (an endophytic strain of Beauveria bassiana (BA) and a mixture of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi), specifically their ability to induce systemic resistance against plant- parasitic nematodes (PPNs) in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum cv. Masquerade) under controlled greenhouse conditions. The study utilized soil collected from Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley (SLV) Research …

Investigating Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Cover Crop Interactions To Improve Sustainable Agricultural Practices, Isabel M. Zanartu, Connor Morozumi, Natalie Christian

The Cardinal Edge

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are fungal species that form beneficial relationships with plants. AMFs are known to help crops acquire important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, and in return the plants provide carbon to the fungi. At least 80% of all plants partner with AMFs including staple crops such as rice, corn, wheat and soybeans. With so many plants likely relying on AMFs, current farming practices such as planting in monocultures and fallow overwintering may limit these relationships. On top of this, climate change challenges the reliability of these practices in the future. One sustainable agricultural practice …

Disruption Of The Oswrky71 Transcription Factor Gene Results In Early Rice Seed Germination Under Normal And Cold Stress Conditions, Santiago Bataller, James A. Davis, Lingkun Gu, Sophia Baca, Gaelan Chen, Azeem Majid, Anne J. Villacastin, Dylan Barth, Mira V. Han, Paul J. Rushton, Qingxi J. Shen

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Background

Early seed germination in crops can confer a competitive advantage against weeds and reduce the time to maturation and harvest. WRKY transcription factors regulate many aspects of plant development including seed dormancy and germination. Both positive and negative regulators of seed germination have been reported in many plants such as rice and Arabidopsis. Using a transient expression system, we previously demonstrated that OsWRKY71 is a negative regulator of gibberellin (GA) signaling in aleurone cells and likely forms a “repressosome” complex with other transcriptional repressors. Hence, it has the potential to impact seed germination properties.

Results

In this study, we …

Bodine: An Agent-Based Modeling Approach To Studying Localized Coexistence Across Environmental Heterogeneity, Alexandra Campbell

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Boosting The Power Performance Of Microbial Fuel Cells By Using Dual Nanomaterial-Modified Carbon Felt Electrodes, Krishna Thapa, Wenyan Liu, Yuwei Zhang, David J. Westenberg, Yishu Zhou, Risheng Wang

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Innovative design enhancements to microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are pivotal for improving their viability as renewable energy sources. This study introduces a dual approach to electrode modification, integrating polyaniline (PANI) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on carbon felt (CF) anodes coupled with a unique cathode composed of DNA origami and chitosan. The synergistic effect of PANI and AuNPs significantly increases the hydrophilicity and conductivity of the anode, leading to a considerable surge in power density. Concurrently, the biocompatible DNA origami and chitosan-functionalized cathode facilitates efficient electron transfer without relying on conventional catalysts. Together, these modifications yield a 52.42% increase in the …

Effects Of Microplastic Biofilms On An Anthropogenically Impacted Suburban Lake, Paris M. Velasquez

Masters Theses

Plastics have been observed in every location on the planet, and their prevalence in the environment is due in part to their strong resistance to degradation. Inland lakes are susceptible to plastic pollution by highway runoff, which contains plastic fragments of brake pads, car tires, litter, and road paint. These plastics eventually enter freshwater environments and degrade into microplastics (

The Environment Of Glaciovolcanic Caves And Their Value As Planetary Analogues, Christian Stenner, Lee J. Florea, Linda Sobolewski, Andreas Pflitsch, Morgan Cable, Roberto Anitori, Richard E. Davis, Kathleen Graham, Glyn Williams-Jones

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Exploring Biosignatures And Biogeochemical Processes In Lanzarote Lava Tubes: Implications For Martian Analog Research, Vera Palma, Ana Z. Miller, Francesco Sauro, Bogdan P. Onac, José M. De La Rosa, Sara Gutiérrez-Patricio, Beatriz Cubero, José A. Gonzalez-Perez, Jesus Martínez-Frías, A Teresa Caldeira

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

The Ecology Of Chemosynthesis In Submerged Coastal Caves, Robert Scharping, Michael Casso, Isabel Schaal, Paul Henderson, James Garey, Matthew Charette, John Pohlman, Stefan Sievert

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Microbiome Diversity In Acidic Environments - The Case Of The Șesei Valley Tailings Pond, Iulia Lupan

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Exploring Pristine Microbial Ecosystems From The Uninhabited Volcanic Selvagens Islands, Pedro N. Jiménez-Morillo, Sara Gutiérrez-Patricio, Vera Palma, Ana Teresa Caldeira, Nicasio Tomás Jiménez-Morillo, Ana Z. Miller

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Recent Advances In The Microbiology Of Permanently Stratified, Hypersaline Lakes Of Transylvanian Basin (Central Romania), Horia Leonard Banciu, Ionuț Mădălin Gridan, Adrian Vasile Zety, Ioana Drăghici, Cristina Mircea, Michalis Daniel Lazăr, Andreea Melisa Tripon, Doriana Mădălina Buda, Adorján Cristea

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Given To Salt: Novel Insights Into The Diversity Of Halophilic Microorganisms And Their Functioning In Hypersaline Ecosystems, Aharon Oren

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Microbial Colonization Of New Lava Tubes Formed By The Fagradalsfjall Volcano’S Eruption (Iceland), Ettore Lopo, Francesco Sauro, Ana Zelia Miller, Bogdan Petroniu Onac, Martina Cappelletti

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Onsite Microbial Analyses In One Of The Most Remote Quartzite Subterranean Environment On Earth: Imawarì Yeuta On Venezuelan Tepuis, Martina Cappelletti

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

First Biogeochemical Study Of Mira De Aire Cave: The Biggest Karstic System In Portugal, Alba Gómez-Arias, Julio Castillo, Nicasio Tomás Jiménez-Morillo, Beatriz Cubero, Sara Gutiérrez-Patricio, Pedro N. Jimenez-Morillo, José A. Gonzalez-Perez, José M. De La Rosa, Ana Z. Miller

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.

Sampling And Dna Analysis Of Extreme Environments, Scott Tighe

FRONTIERS UNBOUND: Exploring Extreme Environments

No abstract provided.