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Algae Preview: Investigating the needs, diversity, and uses. Algae (aka Phytoplankton) Basics. Phytoplankton “ Phyton ” – plant “ Planktos ” - wanderer Aquatic Freshwater Marine Estuaries Photoautotroph Make their own energy From the sunlight Cannot be seen by the naked eye.
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Algae (aka Phytoplankton) Basics • Phytoplankton • “Phyton” – plant • “Planktos” - wanderer • Aquatic • Freshwater • Marine • Estuaries • Photoautotroph • Make their own energy • From the sunlight • Cannot be seen by the naked eye
Living Requirements PO-4 Si External Factors H2O Temperature Sunlight Amount (Cloudy v. Clear Day) Influences pH Competitors/Predators
Ecological Importance • Primary Producer • Over 50% O2 Production • Staple for all aquatic food webs • Ecological Threats • Climate Change = Warmer Ocean Temperatures • Decrease in ocean density by 40% since 1950 (Nature)
Diversity! Anabaena: cyanobacteria, heterocyst Palmodictyon: colonial, sheath Eudorina: 32-cell ball, all flagella point out Dinobryon: Golden algae, “fishey” blooms
Diversity! Scenedesmus: 4 cell colony, spines Cyclotella: circular diatom, looks like a tire Coccolithophores: calcium carbonate “shell” Pediastrum: colonial, “lace”
Diversity! Microcystis: Blue green, Gull Lake cyano Peridinium: dinoflagellate, “egg with a belt”
What’s Next!? • Head to Gull Lake and the Lagoon to sample • Come back and ID common Michigan Species • Biofuel Preview • Game Time: Day In APhytoplankton’s “Shoes”