The Effect of Salinity on the Functions of a Microbial Mat.
School Name
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to discover how salinity affects the functions of a microbial mat specifically nitrate, dissolved oxygen, and pH levels. Ten mats in four weeks were grown, and then experimentation began. These tests measured the water quality parameters at three levels: low salinity, average salinity, and high salinity.The average salinity of water is 3.5%. During the experiment, there was a conduction with a couple trials on each mat based on salinity levels. Testing was done on each of the nine mats three times. The results obtained from experimentation varied. The pH was affected as concluded by my experiment. The nitrate did not change. The dissolved oxygen was affected as well. The conclusion is that salinity does affect microbial mats depending on the water quality parameter. This brief description isn’t elaborated, but the trials weren’t all conclusive. What is meant by conclusive is that it was not agreeable with my hypothesis. The null hypothesis of the experiment was that the salinity might not affect the microbial mat. This was compliant with the nitrate. The overall experiment was successful with the written statement of the hypothesis.
Recommended Citation
Connor, Brenna S., "The Effect of Salinity on the Functions of a Microbial Mat." (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 250.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/250
Start Date
4-11-2015 10:45 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 11:00 AM
The Effect of Salinity on the Functions of a Microbial Mat.
The purpose of this research was to discover how salinity affects the functions of a microbial mat specifically nitrate, dissolved oxygen, and pH levels. Ten mats in four weeks were grown, and then experimentation began. These tests measured the water quality parameters at three levels: low salinity, average salinity, and high salinity.The average salinity of water is 3.5%. During the experiment, there was a conduction with a couple trials on each mat based on salinity levels. Testing was done on each of the nine mats three times. The results obtained from experimentation varied. The pH was affected as concluded by my experiment. The nitrate did not change. The dissolved oxygen was affected as well. The conclusion is that salinity does affect microbial mats depending on the water quality parameter. This brief description isn’t elaborated, but the trials weren’t all conclusive. What is meant by conclusive is that it was not agreeable with my hypothesis. The null hypothesis of the experiment was that the salinity might not affect the microbial mat. This was compliant with the nitrate. The overall experiment was successful with the written statement of the hypothesis.
