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The Effect of Varied Light on The Activity and Function of Cassiopeia x amachana. Pilar McQuirter Simedar Jackson. Purpose. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the short and long term effects of pollution on an ecosystem. Experimental Hypothesis. Null Hypothesis.
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The Effect of Varied Light on The Activity and Function of Cassiopeia xamachana PilarMcQuirter Simedar Jackson
Purpose • The purpose of this experiment is to explore the short and long term effects of pollution on an ecosystem.
Experimental Hypothesis Null Hypothesis If the Cassiopeia xamachanaare exposed to decreased amounts of light, then their will be no effect on their activity. • If the Cassiopeia xamachanaare exposed to decreased amounts of light, then their activity would decrease because they derive nutrition from photosynthetic algae on their tentacles.
Design of Experiment • Dependent Variable: Activity of Cassiopeia xamachana • Independent Variable: Light intensity • Control Group: Specimen 1 & 2, Exposed to 40 watt bulb • Constants: Food, exposure time, and temperature
Materials • 5.5 gallon tanks (3) • Cassiopeaxamachana(5) • 10 gallon tank (1) • Tetra Air Pump (3) • Accuair Valve (1) • Filter (4) • Tetra HT10 50W Submersible Heater (1) • Mini Heater 10W (3) • Nature’s Ocean Bacteria Inoculated Sand (1 bag) • Charcoal • Mortar and Pestle • Stirring rods • Optix Acrylic Sheet • Fish net • Timer • Ruler • Shopping Bag • Scale • 40 watt EcoSmart light bulb (3) • 60 watt EcoSmartlight bulb (1) • Syphon • Plastic tubing • Salt water • 5 gallon water jugs
ProcedureSpecimen 1 & 2 40 watt Light Bulb Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp Cube, once a week Data Collected once a week
ProcedureSpecimen 3 Treatment Using Mortar and Pestle, Kingsford Charcoal was ground Scale was zeroed with plastic weighing tray Ground Charcoal was placed in weighing tray, then weighed 2.0 g of Charcoal was dusted atop the water of the tank 40 watt Light Bulb Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp Cube, once a week Data Collected once a week
ProcedureSpecimen 4 Various holes cut in shopping bag for Light Viewing Viewing holes taped over when not in use, so not to add any extra light 40 watt Light Bulb Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp Cube, once a week Data Collected once a week
Specimen 5 60 watt Light bulb shined directly on specimen Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp Cube, once a week Data Collected once a week
Feeding Frozen Brine Shrimp cubes were cut in half for specimens 3-5 Whole cube was given to specimens 1 & 2
Control Control Varied Light Reduced Light Intense Light
Chi Squared The Chi Squared value is higher than the critical value, therefore the data is significant
Error • Lights turned off the week of 3/26 • Inaccurate feeding methods • Inability to obtain freshly hatched Artemia for feeding • Temperature fluctuations in tanks
Data Analysis • Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic organisms that utilize the enzyme carbonic anhydrase(CA) to convert HCO3- to usable CO2. • CA concentrations are highest in host tissues, creating the symbiotic relationship between Zooxanthellae and Cassiopeaxamachana.
Data Analysis • CA concentrations are effected by light intensity, water flow, and Zooxanthellae densities. • When these factors are altered, Cassiopeaxamachanaexpel 67% to 70% of their Zooxanthellae.
Data Analysis • Bleaching occurs when C. xamachanaexpel Zooxanthellae, indicating a disruption in light intensity, heat, water quality, or water flow. As seen in specimen five (intense light) and specimen four ( reduced light).
Data Analysis • The results of the experiment have allowed the rejection of the null hypothesis and provides support for the experimental hypothesis.
Data Analysis • Experimental hypothesis: If the Cassiopeia xamachanaare exposed to decreased amounts of light, then their activity would decrease because they derive nutrition from photosynthetic algae on their tentacles. • Null hypothesis: If the Cassiopeia xamachanaare exposed to decreased amounts of light, then their will be no effect on their activity.
Specimen 5(Intense Light) March 1st2012 March 15th 2012
Specimen 4(Reduced Light) March 1st,2012 March 15th 2012
Conclusion & Applications • The expulsion of Zooxanthellae reduces their ability to effectively perform photosynthesis. • Zooxanthellae also have a symbiotic relationship with coral, increasing calcification and survival. • Unhealthy coral- decrease in marine life& biodiversity- fisherman catch is depleted/ attraction of coral reefs is destroyed
Works Cited • 302 Found. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0envl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-help---00-0-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00 • Berkelmans, R., & Van Oppen, M. J. (2006). The Role of Zooxanthellae in the Thermal Tolerance of Corals: A 'Nugget of Hope' for Coral Reefs in an Era of Climate Change. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 273, 2305-2302. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/view/25223603 • Chi-Squared Table. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2012, from http://www.unc.edu/~farkouh/usefull/chi.html • Estes, A. M., Kempf, S. C., & Henry, R. P. (2003). Localization and quantification of carbonic anhydrase activity in the symbiotic scyphozoan cassiopeaxamachana. The Biological Bulletin, 204, 278-289. Retrieved April 11, 2012, from http:/http://www.jstor.org/stable/3884234 • Gattuso, J., Allemand, D., & Frankignoulle, M. (1999). Photosynthesis and calcification at cellular, organismal and community levels of coral reefs: A review on interactions and control by carbonate chemistry. In American zoologist (Vol. 3, pp. 160-183). Oxford University Press. Retrieved April 11, 2012, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3884234 • Marine Food Webs. (n.d.). Welcome to OceanWorld. Retrieved April 11, 2012, from http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/marinefoodwebs.htm • Mayer, A. G. (1917). On the Non-Existence of Nervous Shell-Shock in Fishes and Marine Invertebrates. National Academy of Sciences, 3(10), 597-598. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/83620?seq=1&Search=yes&searchText=cassiopea&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcassiopea%2Bxamachana%26acc%3Don%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=15&ttl=97&returnArticleService=showFullText&resultsServiceName=null • Stobart, B., Teleki, K., Buckley, R., Downing, N., & Callow, M. (2005, January 15). Coral Recovery at Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles: Five Years after the 1998 Bleaching Event. JSTOR. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/30039796?searchUrl=/action/doBasicSearch?Query=coral+bleaching&acc=on&wc=on
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