Project:

Local Ecosystems Affected by Boating Activities on the North and South Shores of Long Island

Students:

Regan Carroll, Caroline Doran, Grace Doran, Claire Carney

School:

Sacred Heart Academy, Nassau

Mentors:

Karen Kuntz

Abstract:

Over the last few decades, boating has become a popular recreational and commercial activity on Long Island. As boating increases in popularity, scientists have discovered that it has a significant toxic effect on local ecosystems, including plants, vertebrates and invertebrates. Marine ecosystems occupy 90% of the biosphere, and boating is the third leading cause of marine pollution. We believe there is an increasing threat to marine organisms on Long Island as boating continues to thrive. There are specific effects of boating pollution that we believe pose a threat to Long Island’s biodiversity. Examples include oily water caused by incompletely burned fuel, and sewage and grey water containing chemicals and unnatural fats from boats. There has been a steady decrease in recreational and commercial fish species due to boating in commercial waters. It is expected that fewer organisms will be found in areas where boating is prevalent because of the disturbance to marine ecosystems on

Poster:

Team samples: