Elisabeth Deschaseaux

PhD Candidate

Research Interests

Liz completed her undergraduate studies in Cellular Biology and Physiology at the University of Bordeaux II (France). She came to Australia in 2006 to complete an Honours degree at the University of Canberra, ACT, on the effect of temperature and salinity on gastropod egg masses by looking at biomarkers such as total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and lysosomal destabilisation. She also worked for two years as a Research Assistant at the Institute for Applied Ecology in Canberra, ACT. She's currently doing her PhD at Southern Cross University, NSW, on the production of atmospheric dimethylsulphide (DMS) and sulphur precursors (DMSP, DMSO) by corals and its implications for climate regulation and oxidative stress.

DMS is the most abundant sulphur gas present in the marine boundary layer. Its two precursors, dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), are produced by various species of marine algae such as macro algae, phytoplankton and coral-associated zooxanthellae. According to the CLAW hypothesis (acronym of the authors' surnames), DMS is believed to act as a climate regulator of sea surface temperature and incident solar radiation when oxidised to non-sea-salt sulphate aerosols that can produce cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). CCN are responsible for the formation of stratocumulus clouds over the ocean and possibly low-level cloud over reefs. Understanding the mechanisms involved in this negative feedback on global warming as well as identifying the parameters that drive the DMS production over the reef has became crucial in the present context of climate change. The production of DMS and precursors has also been hypothesised to occur as a consequence of these sulphur substances being used as antioxidants by corals and marine algae. Part of Liz' research would be to determine whether the production of those sulphur compounds might help to maintain the antioxidant capacity in corals.

Principal supervisor: Ass/Prof. Graham Jones
Co-supervisors: Prof. Peter Harrison, Prof. Bradley Eyre, Dr. Myrna Deseo

Awards

$5000 Student International research Linkage Scheme (2012) to work with the University of South Alabama at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in the Gulf of Mexico.

3 minute thesis competition University Final (2011) second prize.

Publications

Refereed journal articles

Deschaseaux, E., Taylor, A., and Maher, W. (2011) Measure of stress response induced by temperature and salinity changes on hatched larvae of three marine gastropod species. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 397, 121-128.

Deschaseaux, E.S.M., Taylor, A.M., Maher, W.A., and Davis, A.R. (2010) Cellular responses of encapsulated embryos to multiple stressors associated with climate change. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 383, 130-136.

Refereed conference proceeding

Deschaseaux, E., Jones, G., Miljevic, B., Ristovski, Z., Swan, H. and Vaattovaara, P. (2012) Can corals form aerosol particles through volatile sulphur compound emissions? ICRS2012 proceeding

Swan, H.B., Jones., G.B. and Deschaseaux, E. (2012) Dimethylsulfide, Climate and Coral Reef Ecosystems. ICRS2012 proceeding.

International conference presentation

Deschaseaux, E., Jones, G., Deseo, M., Shepherd, K., Harrison, P., Swan, H. and Eyre., B. (2012) Can DMS and precursors be used as antioxidants in corals? (2012) 12th International Coral Reef Symposium.

Non-refereed publication and thesis

Deschaseaux, E., Yoshida, C. and Norris, R. (2009). Biological effects of chlorinated water released into the Queanbeyan River in October 2009. Report to Actew Corporation.

Deschaseaux, E. and Norris, R. (2009) Biological response to environmental flows below Corin, Bendora and Googong Dams. Spring 2009. Report to Actew Corporation.

White, H., Deschaseaux, E. and Norris, R. (2009) Riffle Maintenance Flows below dams on the Cotter River, May, August and October, 2007.May 2009. Report to Actew Corporation.

White, H., Deschaseaux, E. and Norris, R. (2009) Biological response to environmental flows below Corin, Bendora and Googong Dams and low flows below the Cotter Dam. Autumn 2009. Report to Actew Corporation.

White, H. Deschaseaux, E. and Norris, R. (2008) Biological response to environmental flows below Corin, Bendora and Googong Dams and low flows below the Cotter Dam. Spring 2008. Report to Actew Corporation.

Climate change induced stress: the effect of temperature and salinity on gastropod egg masses (2007) Honours thesis. University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.

Updated: 08 October 2012