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Eutrophication of an aquatic ecosystem

Bioremediation— Bioremediation can be defined as: any process that uses microorganisms or their enzymes to return the environment altered by contaminants to its original condition.

But… How does nature prevent the buildup of algae naturally? One way is MUSSELS!

MUSSEL MANIA! The mussel version of a pie eating contest.

What you should know: Mussels are filter feedersfilter feeders – They eat plankton – They eat “organic matter” or “detritus” Mussels are indicators of stream health – “natural water purifiers” – Respond to environmental changes; environmental health warning system Threatened by pollution, dam construction, habitat loss, and poaching

Focus on the filter feeding… Think: FOOD CHAINS and the CARBON CYCLECARBON CYCLE Algae use Carbon dioxide, water and sunlight to grow by photosynthesis Think: NITROGEN/PHOSPHOROUS CYCLENITROGEN/PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE Nitrogen and Phosphorous are nutrients/fertilizer MUSSELS EAT THE ALGAE …… – The excretion of waste from mussels returns nutrients to producers (algae and plankton) More Producers=More Consumers=More Biodiversity = Healthier Stream!

Do all mussel species filter at the same rate? You will observe 3 different species of mussel filter feeding. The rate of filter feeding is being measured by a fluorometer. – Uses light to measure the amount of particles in the water. You will record the time and the fluorescense level for each species for your table in the Google Doc data table on the laptop. All biology classes are recording this data. We will graph the collected data tomorrow.

In your notebook… Title the next blank page “Mussel Mania” – you will need to develop a more formal and informative title for your lab report. What is the Problem question? What will be your Hypothesis? – As the mussels filter feed, what should happen to the amount of particles in the water? – Hypothesize how you will know which species filters better than the other two. What will be the Independent Variable? What will be the Dependent Variable? What Control Variables should there be? What Data should be collected? Create a simple data table Write a simple Procedure Analysis -- Sketch what you predict the graph of this data will look like. What will you label the x-axis? The y-axis? How many lines will you have? Conclusion

For your grade… You will write a Lab Report. You just made the outline for your first rough draft which is due Friday 10/29. The final draft with typed and with corrections is due Wed. 11/3. This is a SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT. It counts toward your 80% class average.