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Join the Great Heterocyst Count

Join the Great Heterocyst Count

Jump in and help with a special project for the Albemarle Sound region of North Carolina.  This citizen science project will help build a database of cyanobacteria bloom events correlated to specific characteristics of the algal cells at certain times of the year. 

We have been photographing strands of Dolichospermum (Anabaena) for the past few years and would like to correlate “major bloom events” with the quantity of nitrogen-fixing specialized cells that can be observed in these strands. The nitrogen-fixing cells are called heterocysts.  By counting the number of heterocysts compared to the number of vegetative cells in an algal strand, we can start to understand how seasonal changes and extreme weather events may influence the amount of nitrogen fixation that is occurring within these Dolichospermum strands. 

Terminology

Heterocyst – differentiated cells specialized for Nitrogen fixation in an aerobic (with oxygen) environment. They are formed in response to a lack of fixed nitrogen (NH4 or NO3).

Akinete – thick walled dormant cell filled with food reserve; have a normal cell walls

Vegetative cell – cells that are photosynthetic and are capable of differentiating into specialized cells such as heterocysts.

How to Count Vegetative Cells

The heterocysts and akinetes are generally quite easy to pick out and count unless the cell strands are piled up on each other or coiled up so that the microscope cannot see through them.  There is one clear heterocyst in the micrograph below.  The vegetative cells, however, are constantly dividing into 2 daughter cells by asexual reproduction making it difficult to count 1 or 2 cells.  If the cells are in the process of cell division, count as 1 cell.  If it is clearly one cell, then count as 1. There are 19 vegetative cells in the example below. 

The arrow above points to a cell that is undergoing cell division and should be counted as just 1 cell.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/diazotroph

Instructions:

  1. Select a random micrograph from the collection (opens in a new window).
  2. Access the Heterocyst Count Form (opens in a new window or use below) and answer the questions. You will need to toggle between the micrograph and the form as they will open in separate windows or tabs.
  3. Share your completed survey by clicking submit.

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About Us

Chowan Edenton Environmental Group is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and education purposes. Regular meetings are held to plan community events, discuss relevant environmental issues for this region, and build collaboration strategies with local and statewide partners.

Recent Posts

Understanding Algal Blooms in Your River – LessonSeptember 24, 2020
Understanding Algal Blooms in Your River – OverviewSeptember 24, 2020
Join the Great Heterocyst CountSeptember 24, 2020

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Chowan-Edenton Environmental Group

2 weeks ago

Chowan-Edenton Environmental Group
Cyanobacteria Chronicles (Day Twelve) - 03312021Please feel free to share with your community! An interesting article about studying what happens to the cyanobacteria over winter (what we don't know). More good science every year about the harmful algal blooms! www.upi.com/Science_News/2021/03/30/cyanobacteria-blooms-climate-lakebeds-overwintering/413161710... ... See MoreSee Less

Lake bottoms may provide insight into cyanobacteria blooms

www.upi.com

To better understand the ecology of cyanobacteria and the origins of harmful blooms, the authors of a new study suggest scientists look below -- to cyanobacteria living on the bottom of freshwater lak...
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environmental concerns, and to support actions that serve to reduce or correct local environmental problems.