By: Kevin Costello
Pittsburgh Central Catholic
PJAS 2012
Grade 9

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Occurs when large quantities of nutrients enter an aquatic environment. Nutrients often come from fertilizer.
Possible causes: sewage, agricultural runoff, or animal wastes
Algal bloom:
◦ Consisting of:
 patches of algae near the surface of the water
 Light attenuation
 light dependent organisms stressed, massive die offs, increased

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Large diverse group of simple and usually autotrophic organisms
Base of aquatic food chain
Used as a bio-indicator for aquatic environments

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Generally cylindrical in shape with many flagella
Common algal like protist
A partial heterotroph can attain food through endocytosis and photosynthesis
Nutrient-rich freshwater or in sewage systems
Capable of survival in both salt and water environments
Frequently employed as an experimental model

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Independently moving, unicellular, green, algae
Swims with its two flagella
Commonly found in fresh water and sometimes even in soil or in snow on mountain tops
Can grow on a simple medium of salts in the light, using photosynthesis to provide energy.

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Null: The presence of fertilizer will
NOT have a significant effect on algal growth.
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Alternative: The presence of the fertilizer WILL significantly alter algal growth.

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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Euglena gracilis
Soil water (sterile)
Spring water
Miracle Grow® brand fertilizer
32 test tubes (13 x 100 mm borosilicate culture tubes)
Pipettes (macro + micro)
Pipette tips
Science Kit Educator spectrophotometer
Test tube rack
Desk lamp

1.
2.
A desk lamp was placed in experimental site a) approximately 45 centimeters away from the test tube racks b) Kept on a 12 hour on 12 hour off cycle c) Kept at 60 degrees °F throughout the duration of the study
Created a stock solution (assigned 100%) of fertilizer according to recommended application dose. Created the concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%,
20% by mixing ingredients in borosilicate culture tubes as follows:
3.
Tubes were mixed by inversion daily and readings were taken using a spectrophotometer set to wavelength of 430 nm once a day on days 1-10

Algae
Soil Water
Spring Water 2mL
Fertilizer 0mL
Total 5mL
0%
2mL
1mL
5%
2mL
1mL
1.9mL
0.1mL
5mL
10%
2mL
1mL
1.5mL
0.5mL
5mL
1mL
1mL
5mL
20%
2mL
1mL

4,5
4
3,5
3
2,5
2
1,5
1
0,5
0
Day 1
Fertilizer Effects on Chlamydomonas
P Value: 9.04E-05
Day 3 Day 5 Day 7 Day 9
0%x
5%x
10%x
20%x

2,70
2,60
2,50
2,40
2,30
2,20
2,10
Fertilizer Effects on Euglena
P value: 1.44E-21
Day 1 Day 3 Day 5 Day 7 Day 9
0%x
5%x
10%x
20%x

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Was the algae significantly affected by the presence of fertilizer in it’s environment?
◦ Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
 P value: 9.04E-05
◦ Euglena gracilis
SIGNIFICANT
 P value: 1.44E-21 SIGNIFICANT

Variable
Concentration
5% Miracle
Grow®
10% Miracle
Grow®
20% Miracle
Grow®
T Critical = 3.29
(significant)
Alpha = 0.05
T Value
8.61
10.92
13.49
Interpretation
Significant
Significant
Significant

Variable
Concentration
5% Miracle
Grow®
10% Miracle
Grow®
20% Miracle
Grow®
T Critical = 3.29
(significant)
Alpha = 0.05
T Value Interpretation
8.93
18.15
32.06
Significant
Significant
Significant

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The ANOVA stat analysis allowed the null hypothesis to be REJECTED
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The Dunnett’s test showed that all concentrations of fertilizer
SIGNIFICANTLY affected algal growth

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Limitations
◦ Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Euglena gracilis not fresh, 2 day travel time.
◦ Cultures not mono-culture
◦ Algal health and longevity might vary
Extensions
◦ Use more diverse groups of algae
◦ Use a higher concentration of the fertilizer
◦ Cell counts with hemacytometer
◦ Use different kinds fertilizer
 Both organic and non-organic
 Synergistic effects of agents?

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 http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/eutrophi cation.aspx
http://www.amazingfacts.in/2010/06/amazi ng-facts-euglena.html
http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/botsyl01
/microalg/euglenaf/euglena.html
http://www.metamicrobe.com/chlamy/ http://www.chlamy.org/info.html