Development of a rapid bioassay for the detection of copper pollution in the Great Barrier Reef

Melanie Blanchette, MSc student, James Cook University

Zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that provide energy to corals, are thought to be negatively affected by the presence of copper pollution in water on the Great Barrier Reef.

Copper is used in North Queensland in agriculture and antifouling paints, and is present at elevated levels in the Great Barrier Reef coastal region.

The objective of this project is to quantify the effects of copper on the enzyme esterase in cultured zooxanthellae. Esterase activity is a potentially rapid and highly sensitive biological test (bioassay) to evaluate the effects of poor water quality.

The use of cutting-edge fluorescence technology, as well as cost-effectiveness, reproducibility, and rapidity makes this project highly applicable to industry.