Project:

Molecular Identification of Macroalgae in Northport Harbor

Students:

Emma Grassi, Natalie McCann, Mackenzie Joseph

School:

Huntington High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Lori Kenny

Abstract:

The purpose of this research was to measure the effects of previous nitrogen pollution on the biodiversity of seaweed species (macroalgae) in Northport Harbor. This is imperative research because recently, there was an immense amount of money provided to the Northport Harbor wastewater treatment facilities, all targeted to combat the issue of high nitrogen levels causing hypoxia within the area. Through this experiment, barcoding was used to recognize species of seaweed that are present in the aquatic ecosystem of Northport Harbor. With this, we were able to identify a mutated seaweed species that exists because of the imbalance of nitrogen prior to 2015. To perform this experiment, 20 seaweed specimens were collected within the harbor. Each location in which a specimen was collected, was marked using a Global Positioning System, rinsed off to remove any excess particles/ small organisms, and placed inside a plastic bag over ice. Using polymerase chain reaction, variable sections of DN

Poster:

Team samples: