Cyanobacteria testing
Based on our Twitter and Email conversations with researcher and specialist, Jonathan Puddick, we decided to test our Tag-Team Champions (Daphnia and Amphipods) effectiveness in consuming specific forms of cyanobacteria. We utilized several sources of literature to determine the most common forms of toxic cyanobacteria. After research, we identified cultures available on the internet and asked our teachers to order them for us.
Our initial plan was to test the daphnia in all six of our cyanobacteria cultures. When they arrived we noticed that two of the cultures contained cyanobacteria that was very dense and settled on the bottom of the test tube (Lyngbya and Oscillatoria tenius). We determined that this type would not be best for daphnia so we began our test with the four other cultures that had cyanobacteria throughout the entire test tube. Day 1 is the day that we set up the the test tubes and experiment. In all four test tubes we placed two of our daphnia with one amphipod.
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On Day 2 of testing we noticed that the cyanobacteria in two of the cultures (Gloeotrichia and Anabaena) settled to the bottom of the test tube so we decided to involve amphipods in our test.
In all four test tubes we placed two of our daphnia with one amphipod.
Stay tuned for results!
In all four test tubes we placed two of our daphnia with one amphipod.
Stay tuned for results!
Days 3 & 4 were a part of the weekend
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Day 5 of Testing
In Day 5 the Amphipod in the last tube on the right died, and the tube next to it both of the two daphnia died in it. Ok the photo on top are some of our errors we put light on it showing a brighter photo of our test instead of what we wanted
day 6 of testing
Microcystis Aeruginosa ,
1 daphnia and 1 amhipiod were dead
After that we added another daphnia in and another amphipods
which was a total inside of 1 daphnia and 2 amphipods (there was already a amphipods alive inside before)
1 daphnia and 1 amhipiod were dead
After that we added another daphnia in and another amphipods
which was a total inside of 1 daphnia and 2 amphipods (there was already a amphipods alive inside before)
Cylinbrospermum sp.
Only one amphipod was dead
We added the right amount again so we added 1 amphipods
No daphnia were dead
Total: 1 daphnia and 2 amphipods
Gloeotririchia
1 Daphnia and 2 amphipods dead (all dead)
Added 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipod
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 amphipods
Anabaena sp.
All was dead
so we added 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipods
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipods
Only one amphipod was dead
We added the right amount again so we added 1 amphipods
No daphnia were dead
Total: 1 daphnia and 2 amphipods
Gloeotririchia
1 Daphnia and 2 amphipods dead (all dead)
Added 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipod
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 amphipods
Anabaena sp.
All was dead
so we added 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipods
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipods
Day 7 of testing
Microcystis Aeruginosa ,
The amphipod and daphnia we placed in were all alive on day seven.
Total: 1 daphnia and 2 amphipods
Cylinbrospermum sp.
Both amphipod are alive it, the daphnia died inside
Total: 2 amphipods
Gloeotririchia,
Both amphipod are alive but one of the amphipod seems rather weak, the daphnia on the other hand is doing well.
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 amphipods
Anabaena sp.
Both of the two amphipod and one daphnia are alive.
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipods
The amphipod and daphnia we placed in were all alive on day seven.
Total: 1 daphnia and 2 amphipods
Cylinbrospermum sp.
Both amphipod are alive it, the daphnia died inside
Total: 2 amphipods
Gloeotririchia,
Both amphipod are alive but one of the amphipod seems rather weak, the daphnia on the other hand is doing well.
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 amphipods
Anabaena sp.
Both of the two amphipod and one daphnia are alive.
Total: 1 Daphnia and 2 Amphipods
Day 8 of Testing
Unfortunately we had a camera problem so we lost our photos and data. Sorry for the inconvenience
DAY 9 OF TESTING
Microcystis Aeruginosa ,
Added 2 daphnias
Cylinbrospermum sp.
Success on the 10/3/14
Gloeotririchia,
Added an amphipod
Anabaena sp.
Success on the 10/3/14
Added 2 daphnias
Cylinbrospermum sp.
Success on the 10/3/14
Gloeotririchia,
Added an amphipod
Anabaena sp.
Success on the 10/3/14
After a weekend passing .........
DAY 12 OF TESTING
In a matter of (less than) two weeks, the Daphnia and Amphipod tag team cleaned out 3mL of the Microcystis aeruginosa species of algae and the Abaena sp. of algae.
Imagine what this duo could do to a whole pond or lake!
Stay tuned for more on the Gloeotrichia Algae Species ........
Gloeotririchia,
We added 10 amphipod to speed up the process.
Microcystis Aeruginosa,
Success on 10/6/14
Imagine what this duo could do to a whole pond or lake!
Stay tuned for more on the Gloeotrichia Algae Species ........
Gloeotririchia,
We added 10 amphipod to speed up the process.
Microcystis Aeruginosa,
Success on 10/6/14
DAY 13
On day 13 Kevin checked the Gloeotririchia, and he realized that something was wrong. When he looked, he didn't see anything moving so he consulted with one of our mentors (Mr. O'D) to make sure that that the Amphipods we placed inside were dead and sure enough ... all 10 were dead. We hope to send a sample of the Gloeotrichia to a lad in New Zealand to find out how toxic is it.
Cyanobacteria Culturing
To assure that we would have cyanobacteria available for additional testing we saved and created a culturing tank for each of our six purchased cyanobacteria. Each cyanobacteria will be cultured in 5 gallons of nutrient rich, aerated water. Lighting is currently on a 24 hour cycle.
We asked Mr. Puddick how he determines if a sample of a specific cyanobacteria is toxic and this was his response, "We test the Cyanobacteria for the genes required for toxin production and for the toxins themselves." Considering we have no means of doing these tests we are considering the cyanobacteria to be toxic and treating it as such.
Stay tuned for results!
We asked Mr. Puddick how he determines if a sample of a specific cyanobacteria is toxic and this was his response, "We test the Cyanobacteria for the genes required for toxin production and for the toxins themselves." Considering we have no means of doing these tests we are considering the cyanobacteria to be toxic and treating it as such.
Stay tuned for results!