Project:

The effect of proximity to polluted water on the biodiversity of lichens

Students:

Ella Carroll, Leah Pisano, Dilnoor Nijjar

School:

Lynbrook High School,

Mentors:

Stoycho Velkovsky

Abstract:

This study will investigate the relationship between lichens and the trees they reside on and their proximity to polluted sources of water. Various variables are being taken into consideration for this, including traffic/busy roads that can emit things like air pollution or oil spills, the presence of volatile organic compounds in the environment, and water sprays onto trees due to weather circumstances. It was hypothesized that the closer lichens are exposed to polluted water, the higher chance of decrease in their biodiversity would be. The assays being analyzed are nitrite content, nitrate content, pH, dissolved oxygen, and carbonate & general hardness. DNA barcoding will be used to identify specific species of lichens, and Simpson's Biodiversity Index will be used to calculate biodiversity. An ANOVA statistical test will be used to calculate a p-value using the program DataClassroom, which is where the graphs corresponding to the data will be created.

Poster:

Team samples: