Water supplies may be polluted by a variety of materials potentially dangerous to plants and other organisms. Because it is not possible to humanely test man or other higher animals to determine their response the toxic levels of these materials; scientists often must use an indicator organism to give them some idea of the concentration of various pollutants in water supplies. Informational about the health and behavior these organisms can then be extrapolated to predict the effects of plumes on higher members of the ecosystem.
In this lab your group will design an experiment to test the effects of some of these toxins on THE algae ANKISTRODESMUS, which, will serve as an indicator species. After you run your experiment and collected the data, you will prepare a formal lab report (format and instructions for the report will be provided in lab today inclass) Some Library work and this web based search will aid you in this task. Ecological characteristics of your algae and some of the properties of your pollutant will be necessary for your paper
A word about plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined by the American College Dictionary as "Copying or imitating the language, ideas, and thoughts of another author and passing off that writing as one's original work". This includes "Cut and Paste" from a web site or other electronic document. Always use proper citation formats when using from another author. See the grading rubric and sample lab report in this manual.
It is necessary for your group to work as a team to design, and execute the experiment; collect the data and even analyze it. HOWEVER EACH MEMBER OF THE GROUPE WILL WRITE HIS/HER OWN PAPER.Failing to do this is grounds for a failing (F) grade in the course and a letter to the Vice-president of student affairs recommending dismissal from the University.
LINKS TO SOME USEFULL SITES:
A
government database for the toxic properties of many common polutants
Salt water intrusion floodgates on the lower Mekong
When you are done go here: