MSc position available:
Physiological response and bioenergetics of bivalves to low oxygen conditions
(Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia)
MSc project
Human activities such as intensive agriculture and shoreline development have significantly increased nutrient loading to the coastal environment. This increased nutrient availability can result in adverse ecosystems effects, starting with increased primary production and culminating in the depletion of dissolved oxygen through a concomitant increase in biological oxygen demand, a process known as eutrophication. Marine bivalves are known to enhance water quality, in the case of eutrophication they can be capable of grazing down excessive phytoplankton biomass. Furthermore, bivalves exhibit a remarkable capacity to cope with hypoxic/anoxic conditions by closing their valves and shifting to anaerobic metabolic pathways over extended periods of time. Quantitative data of bivalve physiology and energetics under hypoxic and anoxic conditions using laboratory settings is available in the literature, but there is a major gap under field conditions. This gap plays a major role as multiple disturbances that are characteristic of field conditions may exert synergistic or antagonistic effects in terms of their response to sub-optimal conditions of oxygen availability. This MSc aims to increase our knowledge on the response of bivalves to hypoxic and anoxic conditions under field conditions. In addition to mapping bivalve populations in Dunk and Wheatley estuary-bay complexes (Prince Edward Island, PEI), field campaigns of bivalve bioenergetics will be carried opportunistically under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The outcomes of this project will help us to better understand the impact of oxygen dynamics of bivalve populations and consequently, of estuarine functioning. Alternative laboratory-based research will be proposed in case of COVID-19 restrictions.
Funding
The MSc project will be carried out in the context of a funded project through the Living Laboratories Initiative – Atlantic (www.agr.gc.ca/eng/scientific-collaboration-and-research-in-agriculture/living-laboratories-initiative/?id=1551383721157), which is a multi-disciplinary project involving numerous federal and academic scientists but ultimately led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Although the MSc student will be based at Dalhousie, the project involves a strong collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at the Gulf Fisheries Centre (Dr. Michael R.S. Coffin and Dr. Thomas Guyondet). As it was stated above, the field work will be carried out in PEI in conjunction with DFO. Thus, the student will be trained in a multidisciplinary and inter-institutional environment, providing a collaborative and stimulating context.
Applicants
We are looking for a highly motivated student with strong written and oral communication skills willing to take ownership of their own research project and conduct fieldwork as part of a large team. Our team aims to create a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment, embracing the idea that diversity increases the spectrum of ideas and perspectives, ultimately benefiting the research outcomes and the success of the student. We encourage applicants from historically underrepresented groups.
Contact
If you are interested, submit a brief statement of interest, CV, the contact information of two references, and transcript (unofficial is fine) to:
Ramón Filgueira
Marine Affairs Program
Dalhousie University
ramon.filgueira@dal.ca
Physiological response and bioenergetics of bivalves to low oxygen conditions
(Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia)
MSc project
Human activities such as intensive agriculture and shoreline development have significantly increased nutrient loading to the coastal environment. This increased nutrient availability can result in adverse ecosystems effects, starting with increased primary production and culminating in the depletion of dissolved oxygen through a concomitant increase in biological oxygen demand, a process known as eutrophication. Marine bivalves are known to enhance water quality, in the case of eutrophication they can be capable of grazing down excessive phytoplankton biomass. Furthermore, bivalves exhibit a remarkable capacity to cope with hypoxic/anoxic conditions by closing their valves and shifting to anaerobic metabolic pathways over extended periods of time. Quantitative data of bivalve physiology and energetics under hypoxic and anoxic conditions using laboratory settings is available in the literature, but there is a major gap under field conditions. This gap plays a major role as multiple disturbances that are characteristic of field conditions may exert synergistic or antagonistic effects in terms of their response to sub-optimal conditions of oxygen availability. This MSc aims to increase our knowledge on the response of bivalves to hypoxic and anoxic conditions under field conditions. In addition to mapping bivalve populations in Dunk and Wheatley estuary-bay complexes (Prince Edward Island, PEI), field campaigns of bivalve bioenergetics will be carried opportunistically under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The outcomes of this project will help us to better understand the impact of oxygen dynamics of bivalve populations and consequently, of estuarine functioning. Alternative laboratory-based research will be proposed in case of COVID-19 restrictions.
Funding
The MSc project will be carried out in the context of a funded project through the Living Laboratories Initiative – Atlantic (www.agr.gc.ca/eng/scientific-collaboration-and-research-in-agriculture/living-laboratories-initiative/?id=1551383721157), which is a multi-disciplinary project involving numerous federal and academic scientists but ultimately led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Although the MSc student will be based at Dalhousie, the project involves a strong collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at the Gulf Fisheries Centre (Dr. Michael R.S. Coffin and Dr. Thomas Guyondet). As it was stated above, the field work will be carried out in PEI in conjunction with DFO. Thus, the student will be trained in a multidisciplinary and inter-institutional environment, providing a collaborative and stimulating context.
Applicants
We are looking for a highly motivated student with strong written and oral communication skills willing to take ownership of their own research project and conduct fieldwork as part of a large team. Our team aims to create a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment, embracing the idea that diversity increases the spectrum of ideas and perspectives, ultimately benefiting the research outcomes and the success of the student. We encourage applicants from historically underrepresented groups.
Contact
If you are interested, submit a brief statement of interest, CV, the contact information of two references, and transcript (unofficial is fine) to:
Ramón Filgueira
Marine Affairs Program
Dalhousie University
ramon.filgueira@dal.ca
