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Department of BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Jacqueline Smith

Masters student

 Jacquiline Smith

Department of Biological Sciences
Macquarie University
Sydney NSW 2109
Australia

Ph : +61 2 9850 8213
Fax: +61 2 9850 8245
Email: jasmith@bio.mq.edu.au

Supervisors

Jane Williamson & Dave Raftos

Summary of Research Interests


Bio-diesel

The Impact of Biodiesel compared with Diesel on Polychaete Worm Larvae, Galeolaria caespitosa

oil spill

Biodiesel is an up and coming alternate fuel source to diesel used in the marine industry. Many studies have been carried out around the world on the physical and chemical properties of Biodiesel as well as its benefits when compared to diesel. However little research has been done in Australia on the impact it may have when used and spilled in the local marine environment.
The essential hypothesis of my thesis is that Biodiesel is less damaging to the marine environment than diesel. Specifically, my research has examined the impact of the soluble fractions of Biodiesel when compared with diesel on the intertidal polychaete worm larvae Galeolaria caespitosa.


Research has covered three main aspects:-

  • Comparison of survival rates in G. caespitosa when exposed to Biodiesel compared with diesel.
  • Comparison of key morphological characteristics in G. caespitosa when exposed to Biodiesel compared with diesel.
  • Identification of the water soluble compounds present in Biodiesel compared with diesel