Biodiversity of Macroinvertebrates at Argyle Lake Authors: Katherine Bencivenga, Abigail Erickson, Margaret Hoge Teacher: Ms. Birone Abstract This project aimed to show the biodiversity found in the Argyle Lake ecosystem with the collection of macroinvertebrates. The amount of macroinvertebrates that thrive in poor quality water could’ve possibly increased because of the installation of the turf field. This project showed how completely different organisms can thrive in the same environment. The macroinvertebrates were collected from various locations, such as do not feed the duck signs and fence posts, in Argyle Lake, during the fall of this year. The results revealed that when isolating and amplifying the DNA, there was an error made that didn't allow the DNA to amplify. Materials and Methods Macroinvertebrates was collected from various post locations in Argyle Lake using litter nets. The collected macroinvertebrates were sorted and documented using a key. Standard Cold Spring Harbor extraction and PCR protocol was followed, then gel electrophoresis was conducted to determine whether or not amplification was successful. Results The results revealed that when isolating and amplifying the DNA, there was an error made that didn't allow the DNA to amplify. During the extraction process of the DNA, there were many places where mistakes could have been made. Although we were able to guess some of our species before the extraction, we were unable to fully identify the any of our samples before the extraction. Figure 1: (above) DNA electrophoresis results showing that amplification was not successful. The bands present represent primer-dimers and not amplified COI genes. Introduction Located in Babylon Village right next to Babylon High School, Argyle Lake is 25 acres around with a maximum depth of 4 feet (1). This past year a turf field complex was installed right next to the lake. This can possibly become a problem due to the fact that turf fields don’t absorb rainwater, which means that the water and other chemicals from the turf will runoff and end up in Argyle Lake, thus increasing an issue that will impact the water quality and the macroinvertebrates living in it. Argyle Lake drains out into the canals, which houses are right next to, and then drains out into the Great South Bay. Macroinvertebrates are small organisms without a backbone that are mostly visible to the naked eye (4). A well-balanced and functioning biological community is one of the best indicators of a healthy body of water. Macroinvertebrates are often used in studies to determine the quality of waters because of their high numbers, known pollution tolerances, limited mobility, as well as their wide range of feeding habits and varied life spans (2). The organisms collected from Argyle Lake have been found at submerged fence posts and the “Don’t Feed the Ducks” signs. These posts serve as anchors, which organisms can live on and around as well as showing how humans impact the environment. Some of the macroinvertebrates found at Argyle Lake last year, before the construction of the turf tend to tolerate some degradation of water quality. Their abundance and diversity indicates a body of water is in fair to good condition. (3). The recent installation of the turf field could affect the water quality negatively, therefore black flies, lunged snails, leeches and aquatic worms were expected to be more abundant. These macroinvertebrates thrive in poor quality water. An abundance of these organisms suggests that the environmental conditions in a stream have deteriorated since the turf installation. (3). Discussion The procedure, following the Cold Spring Harbor extraction and PCR protocol, could have gone wrong in a multitude of places. Grinding of the sample could have been done incorrectly or incompletely. When transferring the supernatant some of the pellet could have been sucked up and when removing the supernatant there could have been some pellet transferred. The mixing of the supernatant could have been done incompletely. All of these things could account for why the DNA was unable to be amplified.DNA Barcoding is important because of the certainty in the genus and species. When using a key, some mistakes can be made because there may not be enough information to accurately determine the organism. Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 References 1. Argyle Lake. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved from the World Wide Web. October 20, 2016. http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24148.html 2. Covich, Alan and Palmer, Margaret and Crowl, Todd. The Role of Benthic Invertebrate Species in Freshwater Ecosystems. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on September 30, 2016. http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/49/2/119.full 3. Hadley, Debbie. Water Quality Monitoring Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrates. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on September 30, 2016. http://insects.about.com/od/water-quality-monitoring/qt/Water-Quality-Monitoring-Using-Aquatic-Macroinvertebrates.htm 4. NC University. Benthic macroinvertebrates. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on September 30, 2016.http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/macroinv.html 5. Oleson, Diane. Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality.Retrieved from the World Wide Web on September 30, 2016. http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2013/macroinvertebrates-as-indicators-of-water-quality Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 3. Map showing sampling locations Figure 4. Dragonfly Larvae Figure 7. Right Spiral Shell Figure 5. Damselfly Larvae Figure 8. Damselfly Larvae Figure 6. Damselfly Larvae