Richard G. Zingmark Professor of Biological Sciences and Marine Science; Ph.D., 1969, University of California, Santa Barbara 601 Earth and Water Sciences (803)777-4873 Dr. Zingmark's e-mail address is zingmark@biol.sc.edu

Physiological Ecology of Marine Algae

Research in Dr. Zingmark's laboratory revolves around studying spatial and temporal patterns and the functional significance of algal communities in estuarine, coral reef and mangrove ecosystems. Such communities include the phytoplankton, benthic microalgae, benthic macroalgae, and epiphytes of Spartina stems and mangrove roots.

One current project focuses on the zonation, biomass, and productivity of the macroalgae that inhabit intertidal roots and pneumatophores of red and black mangroves in the Buenaventura Estuary of southwestern Colombia, South America.

Another study involves identifying stages of the toxic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida in sediments from natural areas and from replicate mesocosms that have been treated with various combinations and concentrations of nutrients.

A third project continues to measure the relationship between photosynthesis and depth (light) in species of coral reef seaweeds that are distributed over a wide range of depths.

Research is in progress involves the structure and dynamics of epiphytic algae associated with Spartina stems in North Inlet Estuary, SC. The work is examining how the production of mucus by epiphytic algae and perhaps other microorganisms might entrain phytoplankton suspended in the tidal water column, thus enhancing the number and diversity of epiphytes and providing a convenient smorgasbord buffet for tidally transient, grazing herbivores.

Current Students:

• Gabriella Jackson (Ph.D.)
• Vernon Beaty (Ph.D.)

Selected Publications:

1993 (with R. Coutinho) Interactions of light and nitrogen on phytosynthesis and growth of the marine macroalga Ulva curvata (Kutzing) de Toni. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 167:11-19.

1993 (with A. Flavier) Macroalgal recruitment in a high marsh creek of North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina. J. Phycology 29:2-8.

1993 (with J. Pinckney) Modelling intertidal benthic microalgal annual production in estuarine ecosystems. J. Phycology 29:396-407.

1993 (with J. Pinckney) Biomass and production of benthic microalgal communities in five typical estuarine environments. Estuaries 16:887-897.

1993 (with J. Pinckney) Photophysiological responses of intertidal benthic microalgal communities to light environments: Methodological considerations. Limnol. Oceanogr. 38:1373-1383.

1994 (with Jay Pinckney and Rebecca Papa) Comparison of high performance liquid chromatographic, spectrophotometric, and fluorometric methods for determining chlorophyll a concentrations in estuarine sediments. J. Microbiol. Meth. 19: 59-66

1999 (with Enrique Peña and Christopher Nietch) Comparative photosynthesis of two species of intertidal epiphytic macroalgae on mangrove roots during submersion and emersion. J. Phycol. 35:1206-1214.