Project:

An Investigation of the Biodiversity of Aquatic Macro invertebrates in Garvies Point using DNA Barcoding

Students:

Giselle Maldonado, Maverick Salgado, Alex Rynkowski

School:

Glen Cove High School,

Mentors:

Kerry Bunyan

Abstract:

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are invertebrate animals that live in the water and are visible to the naked eye. We will be investigating the effects of pollution on the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in the pond. Our method of collection will be using normal plastic water bottles and collecting the water in the pond. After collecting the water samples in water bottles, we will go through the water and pick out different macroinvertebrates from the water. In order to address our question of water quality we will also be checking the water samples for their salinity levels, pH levels, dissolved oxygen levels. Based on the levels we find we will check how suitable the pond is for different species of macroinvertebrates. We will use DNA barcoding to identify the specific species of macroinvertebrates we collected and see what type of conditions they thrive in which can be an indicator of the healthiness of the water in the pond.

Poster:

Team samples: