Backround:
Phytoplanktons are the plants of the ocean. Just like plants, they require sunlight and nutrients. However, give phytoplankton too many nutrients and they will be harmful to other organisms. Through a process called eutrophication, phytoplankton are exposed to a large amount of nutrients, this is able to make them grow in population a lot faster than they are needed to. This over abundance of phytoplankton is then able to make a sheet with each other that covers the surface of the water then covering the sunlight that is needed for the depths of the water. Hypothesis: If phytoplankton are exposed to just nitrates, then their population stay at a steady number. Protocol: Each Table were divided into three groups. Each group each assigned with one part of the experiment that was either control, +nutrients, or +nutrients and iron. Over a course of 8 days, we have had to record our changes and then combine our records from each group in the end. Our group was assigned to +nutrients. The materials we required were:
We poured 100 ml of the seawater into the flask and added 5 ml of phytoplankton. Up until now, groups were given with the same materials. We now differ from the other groups as we had to add 600 ml of nitrate into the flask. On the first day, we recorded the percentage of transmission of light in the spectrophotometer. After we would check the amount of phytoplankton per square on the slide through the microscope. Over the course of 8 days we repeated the transmission of light and counting of phytoplankton. We then shared each group's recordings. Data Table: Graphs:
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Conclusion:
In conclusion my hypothesis seemed to be correct at the most part. The hypothesis stated that when phytoplankton
are exposed to just nutrients, then it will have stayed at a reasonably close population range. The statistics for the
nutrients seemed to have population jumps at some points but they mostly stayed at a range between 5-10
phytoplankton. During this lab, i have learned that nutrients are what keep the phytoplankton alive. They keep
the organisms awake for photosynthesis. This discovery was however found through a large set of data. Keeping
a large set of data makes for a more accurate conclusion and answer as it shows the average between the facts or
false statements. Every group with the same assignment as ours seemed to have the same conclusion. The numbers
for each phytoplankton count also seemed to average ours. Looking at the data from each set of groups, iron
fertilizing seemed to multiply more. This shows that iron is probably a large factors towards eutrophication.
Though iron has helped make phytoplankton grow more, too much of it can damage life in the water as it can start
an algal bloom.
are exposed to just nutrients, then it will have stayed at a reasonably close population range. The statistics for the
nutrients seemed to have population jumps at some points but they mostly stayed at a range between 5-10
phytoplankton. During this lab, i have learned that nutrients are what keep the phytoplankton alive. They keep
the organisms awake for photosynthesis. This discovery was however found through a large set of data. Keeping
a large set of data makes for a more accurate conclusion and answer as it shows the average between the facts or
false statements. Every group with the same assignment as ours seemed to have the same conclusion. The numbers
for each phytoplankton count also seemed to average ours. Looking at the data from each set of groups, iron
fertilizing seemed to multiply more. This shows that iron is probably a large factors towards eutrophication.
Though iron has helped make phytoplankton grow more, too much of it can damage life in the water as it can start
an algal bloom.