Pyrodinium bahamense are microorganisms that serve as a food source for other species that inhabit different bodies of water in Puerto Rico. These are responsible for producing bioluminescence in certain lagoons by a reaction between luciferin, oxygen and luciferase. A drastic decline in the population of these organisms has been observed due to the large amount of runoff water discharges bringing fertilizers used in the agricultural industry and household detergents into the lagoons waters. This causes a decrease in the bioluminescence of these water bodies. Using several analytical techniques to verify the pH levels and also the sulfates, nitrates, phosphates, zinc and copper levels on water samples from the lagoons "Las Cabezas de San Juan" (Fajardo), "Puerto Mosquito" (Vieques) and "La Parguera" (Lajas), it was determined that a degradation reaction occurred on the calcium carbonate layer of Pyrodinium bahamense causing a state of turgor and the instant death.

Degradation of the layer of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on the Pyrodinium bahamense (dinoflagellates) from bioluminescent lagoons in Puerto Rico

249th National Meeting (2015)

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