Browsing by Author "Sandoval-Gil, Jose Miguel"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Marine heatwaves can limit the role of surfgrasses as biofilters for wastewatersPublication . Bonet-Melià, Paula; Sandoval-Gil, Jose Miguel; Samperio-Ramos, Guillermo; Vivanco-Bercovich, Manuel; Canino-Herrera, Sergio R.; Durazo, Reginaldo; Camacho-Ibar, Víctor F.; Alexandre, AnaMarine heatwaves (MHWs) can have detrimental effects on seagrasses, but knowledge about the impacts on their ecosystem services remains scarce. This work evaluated Phyllospadix scouleri (surgrass) as a biofilter for wastewater discharges, and how warming associated with MHW may affect this ecological function. The nitrogen uptake kinetics and assimilation abilities for ammonium, nitrate, and urea were examined under two different warming scenarios (single and repeated events) simulated in a mesocosm. N-uptake kinetics were related to urban sewage discharges close to surfgrass meadows. Our results revealed that surfgrasses can serve as effective biofilters because of their high nitrogen uptake rates and above-average canopy biomass. Nonetheless, exposure to both experimental warmings resulted in a significant decline in their ability to incorporate and assimilate nitrogen. Consequently, MHWs may reduce the capacity of surfgrasses to function as nitrogen sinks and green filters for sewage waters, jeopardizing their role as Blue Nitrogen systems.
- Marine heatwaves recurrence aggravates thermal stress in the surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleriPublication . Vivanco-Bercovich, Manuel; Sandoval-Gil, Jose Miguel; Bonet-Meliá, Paula; Cabello-Pasini, Alejandro; Muñiz-Salazar, Raquel; Montoya, Leonardo Ruiz; Schubert, Nadine; Marín-Guirao, Lázaro; Procaccini, Gabriele; Ferreira-Arrieta, AlejandraThe surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri constitutes highly productive meadows along the Pacific coast of North America – a region that has been increasingly affected by severe marine heatwaves (MHWs) in recent years. Our study assessed the effects of consecutive MHWs simulated in mesocosms on critical ecophysiological descriptors of P. scouleri. Generally, our results revealed a progressive deterioration of the plant overall physiological status. Surprisingly, photosynthetic parameters only indicated physiological stress once the first heat exposure ceased (i.e., recovery period). Warming induced elevated oxidative damage and a decline in nitrate uptake rates. By contrast, non-structural carbohydrates and growth rates remained unaffected. Our results highlight the importance of including recovery periods in this sort of experiments, as they reveal delayed stress responses. Further, the accumulative detrimental effects due to the exposure to consecutive intense MHWs indicate that these events can compromise the vitality of surfgrasses and the ecosystem services provided by their meadows.