Project:

The effect of pesticides on the biodiversity of aquatic freshwater pond organisms located within golf courses.

Students:

Alisha Augustine, Christina John, Hugo Amador

School:

Mineola High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Ellen McGlade-McCulloh

Abstract:

The aim of this project is to determine if pesticides alter the biodiversity of aquatic organisms in freshwater ponds located in golf courses. This project will explore how man-made environmental alterations effect the biodiversity of organisms. Pesticides have been shown to have effects on human health, including causing asthma and cancer. As well as having increased toxicity that causes the breakdown of neurotransmitters in organisms. Twenty organism samples will be collected from each location from the pond water. The samples will be frozen and stored until DNA isolation, amplification (with CO1) and sent for sequencing.. Following sequencing the DNA will uploaded to DNA subway. DNA subway will allow the comparison of sample barcodes with other known organisms. The working hypothesis is that If pesticides are used on golf courses where ponds are located then the biodiversity of the organism's will decrease,

Poster:

Team samples: