Project:

Airports and Their Effect on the Natural Environment Utilizing Lichens as a Bioindicator

Students:

Madison Holzmacher, Elaine Wang

School:

Connetquot HS,

Mentors:

John Halloran

Abstract:

Lichens are common on Long Island. These lichens grow on various surfaces such as wood and stone2. These organisms are composites of algae and fungi3, so we are going to be barcoding the fungi sequence using the primer sequences (ITS1F_(Gad) / ITS4)4. This can serve as a bioindicator for the environment, since the lichen population is sensitive to air pollution2. We will use the biodiversity of the lichens in different areas to determine how the air/carbon dioxide pollution from the airplanes is affecting the populations and our environment. We will use MacArthur airport as our center area of study, as it is one of the most popular airports on Long Island4.

Poster:

Team samples: