The Effect of Polystyrene Microbeads on the Bioluminescence of the Dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is an important issue across the Earth's oceans. Past research has found that different dinoflagellate species interact differently when exposed to microplastics. Some dinoflagellate species are bioluminescent and the effect of microplastics on their ability to produce bioluminescence has yet to be studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that microplastics have on the dinoflagellate species Pyrocystis fusiformis capabilities of producing bioluminescence. It was hypothesized that as the amount of microplastics increased the production of bioluminescence would be reduced. The dinoflagellates were put in Erlenmeyer flasks and then 0.25 g, 0.55 g, and 0.75 g of polystyrene microbeads were added to each flask. Over time, it was expected that the dinoflagellates would be able to produce enough bioluminescence to be measured but this did not happen. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that the dinoflagellate production of bioluminescence was significantly hindered by varying amounts of microbeads.
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Jax, "The Effect of Polystyrene Microbeads on the Bioluminescence of the Dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis" (2024). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 503.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2024/all/503
Location
RITA 387
Start Date
3-23-2024 9:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Polystyrene Microbeads on the Bioluminescence of the Dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis
RITA 387
Microplastic pollution is an important issue across the Earth's oceans. Past research has found that different dinoflagellate species interact differently when exposed to microplastics. Some dinoflagellate species are bioluminescent and the effect of microplastics on their ability to produce bioluminescence has yet to be studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that microplastics have on the dinoflagellate species Pyrocystis fusiformis capabilities of producing bioluminescence. It was hypothesized that as the amount of microplastics increased the production of bioluminescence would be reduced. The dinoflagellates were put in Erlenmeyer flasks and then 0.25 g, 0.55 g, and 0.75 g of polystyrene microbeads were added to each flask. Over time, it was expected that the dinoflagellates would be able to produce enough bioluminescence to be measured but this did not happen. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that the dinoflagellate production of bioluminescence was significantly hindered by varying amounts of microbeads.
