Material development for global seaweed cultivation
This PhD will explore how settlement, development and attachment of north Atlantic seaweeds are influenced by the surface characteristics, focusing on the rhodophytes Palmaria palmata and Porphyra spp. The influence of the environmental factors, substrate material chemistry and structure will be assessed combining both laboratory with coastal seaweed farm trials (measuring algal growth, juvenile attachment rates and epifloral analysis). This research will aid in the development of novel cultivation substrates for the global seaweed industry.
The industrial partner and funder, W.L. Gore & Associates Ltd, will provide this project the knowledge and support to choose and design suitable substrate material for seaweed production.
Supervisors
Dr Adam Hughes, SAMS
Dr David Green, SAMS
Dr Adrian Macleod, SAMS
Norman Clough, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc
Funder
W.L. Gore & Associates
University
University of the Highlands and Islands
Member of Biology Students Association UA – NEB-AAUAv, Portugal
Responsibilities/Activities: Development of several extracurricular activities to complement the biology course; Financial accounting (2015-2016)
Events:
Portuguese Congress of Microbiology and Biotechnology 2013 (~500 participants)
Conference “Biologia na Noite” 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 (~250 participants)
I Iberian Congress of Aquariophilia and Aquariology 2018 (~150 participants)
Professional training courses
Advanced Course in aquaponics (17,5 hours) Aquaponics Iberia, Portugal (03/2019)
Employment
2017-2020 - Research Fellow at CtLight Project, University of Aveiro, Portugal
2016-2017 - Internship at ALGAplus Ltd., Ílhavo, University of Aveiro, Portugal
2015 -2016 - Student at Phycology Laboratory, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Higher Education
2020 - MSc Marine Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
2017 - BSc Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Peer Reviewed Publications
Giossi, C. E., Cruz, S., Rey, F., Marques, R., Melo, T., Domingues, M. R. and Cartaxana, P. (2021) Light Induced Changes in Pigment and Lipid Profiles of Bryopsidales Algae. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8:745083. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.745083
Moreira, A., Cruz, S., Marques, R., Cartaxana, P. (2021) The underexplored potential of green macroalgae aquaculture. Reviews in Aquaculture, 00:1-22. doi: 10.1111/raq.12580
Marques, R., Cruz, S., Calado, R., Lillebø, A., Abreu, H., Pereira, R., Pitarma, B., da Silva, J. M., Cartaxana, P. (2021) Effects of photoperiod and light spectra on growth and pigment composition of the green macroalga Codium tomentosum. Journal of Applied Phycology, 33(1), 471-480. doi: 10.1007/s10811-020-02289-9
Conference talks
Marques, R. et al. Effects of photoperiod and light spectra on growth and pigment composition of the green macroalgae Codium tomentosum. Oral Communication, Lipids in the Ocean 2020, 18/11/2020, Online meeting. lipids2021.web.ua.pt
Poster presentations
Marques, R. et al. The underexplored potential of green macroalgae aquaculture – the case of Codium tomentosum. Poster presentation. One Health Day – Emerging Diseases 2020, 11/11/2020, Online meeting. www.cesam.ua.pt
Other research outputs
Marques, R. et al. Effects of light on the photobiology of Codium tomentosum. Oral Communication, CtLight Project Meeting, 15/10/2019, ECOMARE, Aveiro, Portugal. www.cesam.ua.pt