1. The Effects of Motor Oil On Algae Growth
By Sean Farrell
Grade 9
Central catholic High School

2. Rationale
Over 1.3 million gallons of oil leaks into our water ways every year
How does this affect aquatic life?

3. Motor Oil’s effects on the Environment
Motor oil destroys the water repellence of mammals like sea otters’ fur and water birds feathers causing hypothermia
Ingesting oil causing poising, effecting an organisms’ entire body
Enters the water through leaks, carelessness dumping, and human disposal
Biological Magnification

4. Motor Oil Valvoline Premium Conventional SAE 10W-30 motor oil
No extreme detrimental health effects unless large exposer
Contains durable anti-wear additives
Provides enhanced oxidation control
Most motor oils are made from a heavier, thicker petroleum hydrocarbon base stock derived from crude oil
Typical motor oil consists of hydrocarbons with between 18 and 34 carbon atoms per molecule.

5. Contains durable anti-wear additives that stay in the oil longer to improve protection
Resists oil thickening by providing enhanced oxidation control
Provide thorough anti-wear protection exceeding current U.S., Japanese and European wear tests for gasoline engines where each grade is specified

6. Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii
Flagellated, unicellular green algae
Found all over the world, in soil, water, and even in snow on mountaintops
There are about 500 different types of Chlamydomonas, but only a few are used for research
Autotrophic
Do not have a cell wall

7. Euglena Gracilis Unicellular algal-like protist
Possesses a single flagellum
There are over 1000 species
Lives in saltwater and freshwater
Autotroph and Heterotroph

8. Purpose
To test the effects of 1% and 0.1% of stock in a 5 mL test tube on Chlamydomonas and Euglena

9. Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis- the motor oil will NOT have a significant effect on the growth rate of algae
Alternative Hypothesis- the motor oil WILL have a significant effect on the growth rate of algae

10. Materials Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Euglena gracilis
Soil water, Spring water
Spectrophotometer
Motor oil
Pipets
Test tube rack
60 borosilicate test tubes (100 x 13 mm)
Wax paper
Light bulb

11. Procedure
A stock of motor oil was added to the test tubes to create three concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 1%). Each concentration was added to twenty test tubes, ten for each type of algae. Every test tube contained 2 mL of algae, 1 mL of soil water, and a various volume of spring water.
The absorbance of the test tubes was recorded at 430 nanometers on a spectrophotometer every day for the next 16 days.
The tubes were placed under a light bulb after the absorbance was recorded.

12. Tube Composition Algae 2 mL Soil Water 1 mL Motor Oil 0 mL 0.05 mL
0.005
Spring Water
Total Volume
5 mL
Final Concentration 0% 1%
0.1%

13. Chlamydomonas Results
P value (day 8)
P value (day 16):
Absorbance

14. Dunnett’s Test Final Chlamy
Concentration
T Value
T crit. Value
Conclusion
.1%
2.8966
2.57
Sig 1%
.5517
Not Sig

15. Euglena Results Absorbance P Value Day 8 0.00028 P Value Day 16

16. Dunnett’s Test Day 8 Sig Concentration T Value T Crit Value Conclusion
0.1%
4.19
3.77
Sig 1%
4.37

17. Dunnet’s Test Euglena Final
Concentration
T Value
T crit. Value
Conclusion
.1%
9.087
2.42
Sig 1%
9.383

18. Conclusion
The data for Chlamydomonas .1% stock and both .1% and 1% stock for Euglena had a significant effect on algal growth
1% of the stock did not have a significant effect on the algal growth for Chlamydomonas

19. Conclusion
The Null Hypothesis can be Rejected for when the concentration of stock was 0.1% for Chlamydomonas and for Euglena 1% and 0.1% after 16 days
After 8 days there was No Significant effects it the growth of the Chlamydomonas, but there was Significant effects for Euglena

20. Limitations Health of Algae? Light/Dark cycles not exact
Motor oil pipetting problems
Optimal lighting?
Small amount of tubes were used

21. Extensions Test more algae species Wider ranges of concentrations
Have the light on a timer
Use fresh algae
Optimal lighting

22. Resources http://www.metamicrobe.com/chlamy/

23. Chlamydomonas Anova Day 8
Anova: Single Factor
SUMMARY
Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
Column 1 8
1.176
0.147
Column 2
1.634
Column 3
1.652
0.2065
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F
P-value
F crit
Between Groups 2
Within Groups 21
Total 23

24. Chlamydomonas Anova 16 Days
Anova: Single Factor
SUMMARY
Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
Column 1 16
2.537
Column 2
2.484
Column 3
2.214
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F
P-value
F crit
Between Groups 2
Within Groups 45
Total 47

25. Euglena Anova Day 8 Anova: Single Factor SUMMARY Groups Count Sum
Average
Variance
Column 1 8
1.176
0.147
Column 2
1.634
Column 3
1.652
0.2065
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F
P-value
F crit
Between Groups 2
Within Groups 21
Total 23

26. Euglena Anova 16 Days Anova: Single Factor SUMMARY Groups Count Sum
Average
Variance
Column 1 16
2.121
Column 2
4.305
Column 3
4.064
0.254
ANOVA
Source of Variation SS df MS F
P-value
F crit
Between Groups 2
1.42E-16
Within Groups 45
Total 47