B.Sc. Student

email: bjmcnabb@uvic.ca lab phone: 250-472-5427

Research Interests

Investigations into the Physiological and Morphological Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Diatoms

Ocean acidification poses a growing concern due to anthropogenic climate change. Approximately half of the carbon dioxide emissions released into our atmosphere become incorporated into the oceans through gas exchange causing the waters to become increasingly acidic. Although ocean acidification is a growing concern for many organisms, for other groups such as diatoms it is still unclear what impact this phenomenon will have. However, marine diatoms form an important faction of phytoplankton by providing a crucial link in marine food webs and accounting for nearly half of the total oceanic primary production and approximately a quarter of the global primary production. Thus, understanding whether ocean acidification will benefit or harm these organisms is imperative.

My research is investigating how marine diatoms will respond physiologically to ocean acidification by examining whether acidified, high CO₂ conditions induce prominent changes in growth rates, nutrient uptake rates, and silicification. I am also interested in discerning whether morphological changes will result under these conditions and whether frustule formation in some diatom species will be impeded. This research will provide a step towards improving our understanding of how anthropogenic climate change will impact these important organisms in the coming years.

Education

2017 – current, B.Sc. Honours, UVic Biology
2017 – Associate of Science, NIC Biology

Thesis

McNabb, B. (2019). Investigating the Physiological and Morphological Effects of Ocean Acidification on a Marine Diatom. Honours Thesis. Department of Biology, University of Victoria. Defence: April 10, 2019.

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