The effect of ultraviolet B light on Prorocentrum spp. following exposure to chemically dispersed crude oil

This experiment was carried out in a custom designed ultraviolet (UV) transparent Plexiglas box and the cultures of three Prorocentrum species (P. texanum, P. minimum and P. gracile) were placed in 1L of L1 media within separate 2L quartz glass conical flasks. Each treatment and the control were tested in triplicate. It tested the effect of a full light spectrum (Photosynthetically available radiance (PAR)+UVA+UVB) and a full light spectrum minus UVB (PAR+UVA) on the Prorocentrum spp. over a 72 hour period with a dispersed (oil: dispersant ratio of 1:20) oil treatment of 10ppm. UVB penetration through the quartz glass flasks was prevented using Mylar-D foil.