Exploring Abundance of Symbiotic Cyanobacterial Nitrogen Fixers on the West Florida Shelf

Authors

• Julia Kiplinger, University of South Florida
• Emma Graves, University of South Florida
• Kristen Buck, Oregon State University
• Salvatore Caprara, Oregon State University
• Christa Baranowski, University of South Florida
• P. Dreux Chappell, University of South Florida

Document Type

Poster Session

Publication Date

1-26-2026

Abstract

• Nitrogen is essential for building DNA, RNA, and proteins
• N gas is the most abundant form of nitrogen, but it is unusable by most organisms
• Marine diazotrophs fix dissolved N in the ocean to make it bioavailable for other organisms to create amino acids and DNA
• The West Florida Shelf (WFS) is an oligotrophic yet highly productive region where nitrogen fixation is especially important for nutrient cycling
• Symbiotic cyanobacterial nitrogen fixers like UCYN-A1, UCYN-A2, and HET-2 have been previously shown in coastal waters but we are lacking general knowledge of them on the WFS
• This research will expand the understanding of quantities and distribution of these three symbiotic nitrogen fixers on the WFS

Rights Information

Terms of use for work posted in Scholar Commons.

Scholar Commons Citation

Kiplinger, Julia; Graves, Emma; Buck, Kristen; Caprara, Salvatore; Baranowski, Christa; and Chappell, P. Dreux, "Exploring Abundance of Symbiotic Cyanobacterial Nitrogen Fixers on the West Florida Shelf" (2026). Making Waves REU. 26.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/making-waves_reu/26