1. Influence of Iron on Algal Populations
Ezekiel Stuart
Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School
PJAS 2016
Grade 9

2. Iron fertilization
Limiting Growth Nutrient- the material that is vital to an organisms growth
HNLC (high nutrient low chlorophyll)- zones of the ocean which have large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous, but low amounts of photosynthesis
Carbon Sink- a reservoir which traps carbon dioxide indefinitely

3. Previous Experiments
Some previous experiments which examined iron fertilizations effect on algal life were SOIREE, Ironex, Ironex II, EisenEx, SEEDS, SEEDS-II, SOFeX, SERIES, and LOHAFEX

4. Euglena gracilis Generally cylindrical in shape with many flagella
Common algal like protist
Partial heterotroph- endocytosis and photosynthesis
Capable of surviving in both salt and freshwater ecosystems
A common lab subject

5. Purpose
To determine the possible effects of iron fertilization on the survivorship of the protist Euglena gracilis

6. Hypothesis
Null hypothesis- iron does not significantly influence the growth of Euglena
Alternative hypothesis- iron will cause a significant increase in the rate of Euglena's growth

7. Materials Euglena gracilis
43 test tubes (13 x 100 mm culture tubes borosilicate)
Micro-pipettes
Micro-pipette tips
Spectrophotometer
Test tube racks
Iron filings
Spring water
Soil water
Precision electronic balance(10-4 g)
20 Watt Grow bulb

8. Procedure
0, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 grams of iron, respectively, were added to ten test tubes which contained 1 mL Euglena, 2 mL spring water, 2 mL soil water
Tubes were mixed by inversion
Absorbance at 430 nanometers was measured in a spectrophotometer
Tubes were placed approximately 23 cm below a 20 watt grow bulb
Absorbance was recorded every day for ten days

9. Tube composition Grams of iron in tube 0.001 0.01 0.1 Spring water
0.001
0.01
0.1
Spring water
2.5 mL
Soil Water

10. Day 10 p<10-6
Day 5 p<10-6

11. Statistical Analysis Significant Single factor ANOVA Day 5 p<10-6
Dunnett's Test
T-crit= 2.76
Day
0.1 g of Fe
0.01 g of Fe
0.001 g of Fe 5
9.553
Significant
9.899
6.569 10
10.373
9.525
7.66

12. Conclusion The null hypothesis is rejected
Iron filings presence had a negative, detrimental effect on the growth of the Euglena

13. Extensions Limitations Temperature fluctuation Euglena health
Iron optical effects
Extensions
Iron effects on other aquatic life
Carbon trapped by Euglena
Longer time
Others forms of iron
Field testing in local watersheds
Iron influence on photosynthetic rate

14. Works Cited Will Ocean Iron Fertilization Work? By Hugh Powell
Effects of nitrate, phosphate and iron on the growth of macroalgae and benthic cyanobacteria from Cocos Lagoon, Guam. By Ilsa B. Kuffner, Valerie J. Paul
Bioremediation of Heavy Metal by Algae: Current and Future Perspective. By Dr. Seema Dwivedi
Iron Utilization in Marine Cyanobacteria and Eukaryotic algae. By Joe Morrissesy and Chris Bowler
Iron Fertilization: Savior to Climate Change or Ocean Dumping? By Rhain Waller

15. One-Way ANOVA
SUMMARY
Group Count Sum Average Variance
0.1 grams
0.01 grams e-05
0.001 grams
0 grams e-05
ANOVA
Source SS df MS Ftest P-value F-Critical
Between
Within
Total
Conclusions
Ho: μ1=μ2=μ3=...
Ha At least 2 μ's differ
F-Test
F-Critical
Alpha 0.05
P-Value 0
Decision: Reject Ho

16. One-Way ANOVA
SUMMARY
Group Count Sum Average Variance
0.1 grams
0.01 grams
0.001 grams
0 grams
ANOVA
Source SS df MS Ftest P-value F-Critical
Between
Within
Total
Conclusions
Ho: μ1=μ2=μ3=...
Ha At least 2 μ's differ
F-Test
F-Critical
Alpha 0.05
P-Value 0
Decision: Reject Ho