Abstract Title
Microscopic Wonders: The Correlation Between Zooplankton and Phytoplankton
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to identify several abiotic and biotic factors that correlate with the most robust zooplankton populations in several northeastern Ohio reservoirs. Characterized as vital members of marine and aquatic ecosystems and forming the base of many marine and aquatic food webs in conjunction with phytoplankton, zooplankton require competent levels of phytoplankton in their community to flourish. Phytoplankton, being buoyant microorganisms containing chlorophyll, in turn depend upon abundant levels of sunlight and inorganic nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, to sustain their populations in aquatic environments. Water samples were taken from Lake Rockwell, Walbourne Reservoir, and Deercreek Reservoir in 2016 and 2017. Through the use of ion chromatography, lachat, and flourometer analyzing techniques, levels of soluble reactive phosphorous, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium were obtained for these Akron and Alliance reservoirs. These abiotic factors were then compared to amounts of phytoplankton and zooplankton within both areas, gathered via microscopy. Preliminary data suggests that higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorous correlate with higher levels of phytoplankton, which consecutively correspond to higher levels of zooplankton in our study reservoirs; however, further data analysis is to be completed.
Modified Abstract
The purpose of this research is to identify several abiotic and biotic factors that correlate with the most robust zooplankton populations in several northeastern Ohio reservoirs. Zooplankton require competent levels of phytoplankton in their community to flourish, and phytoplankton in turn require abundant levels of sunlight and inorganic nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, to sustain their populations in aquatic environments. Water samples were taken from several Akron and Alliance drinking water reservoirs and their levels of soluble reactive phosphorous, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium were obtained through the use of ion chromatography, lachat, and flourometer analyzing techniques. These abiotic factors were then compared to amounts of phytoplankton and zooplankton within both areas, gathered via microscopy. Preliminary data suggests that higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorous correlate with higher levels of phytoplankton, and correspond to higher levels of zooplankton in our study reservoirs; however, further data analysis is to be completed.
Research Category
Biology/Ecology
Mentor #1 Information
Meaghan Baladan
Mentor #2 Information
Dr. Xiaozhen Mou
Presentation Format
Poster
Start Date
5-4-2018 1:00 PM
Research Area
Biodiversity | Marine Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology | Zoology
Microscopic Wonders: The Correlation Between Zooplankton and Phytoplankton
The purpose of this research is to identify several abiotic and biotic factors that correlate with the most robust zooplankton populations in several northeastern Ohio reservoirs. Characterized as vital members of marine and aquatic ecosystems and forming the base of many marine and aquatic food webs in conjunction with phytoplankton, zooplankton require competent levels of phytoplankton in their community to flourish. Phytoplankton, being buoyant microorganisms containing chlorophyll, in turn depend upon abundant levels of sunlight and inorganic nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, to sustain their populations in aquatic environments. Water samples were taken from Lake Rockwell, Walbourne Reservoir, and Deercreek Reservoir in 2016 and 2017. Through the use of ion chromatography, lachat, and flourometer analyzing techniques, levels of soluble reactive phosphorous, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium were obtained for these Akron and Alliance reservoirs. These abiotic factors were then compared to amounts of phytoplankton and zooplankton within both areas, gathered via microscopy. Preliminary data suggests that higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorous correlate with higher levels of phytoplankton, which consecutively correspond to higher levels of zooplankton in our study reservoirs; however, further data analysis is to be completed.