Mouthwash and Salt Runoff Effects on Algae

David StragarPittsburgh Central Catholic

PJAS 2010

Introduction

Most algal deaths result from salt runoff. During winter, road salt runoff escalates. Many attempts have been made to create a

safe ice melt salt.

Runoff Is part of the water cycle and describes the

water that flows over a land surface. ◦ Materials that are transported on surface runoff

are salt, fertilizers, petroleum, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, hygiene products, etc.

◦ Water source runoff pollution?◦ Mouthwash runoff?

Variable #1: Listerine

Listerine is made to kill bacteria in the oral cavity that cause plaque buildup and bad breath.

Ingredients: water, menthol, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, thymol, alcohol, benzoic acid, sorbitol, sodium benzoate

Sodium chloride is the salt most responsible for the salinity of the ocean.

Aside from road de-icing, salt can have many other uses, from cooking, manufacturing pulp and paper, to setting dyes in textiles and fabric.

Variable #2: NaCl

This is a high resolution picture of Halite

A more commonly known form of NaCl known as table salt

Base of aquatic food chain

Algal Importance

Used as a bio indicator for aquatic environments

Common algal like protist Extremely tolerant of many habitats Capable of survival in both salt and water

environments Partial heterotrophs can attain food through

endocytosis and photosynthesis

Euglena

Spectrophotometer Device that measures light intensity or

wavelengths of light Used for measuring light absorption Measures the light absorption of the algae

◦ More absorption = more algae◦ Wavelength: 430nm

Former Experiments Effects of road salt on the environment were

first noticed in the 1950s Along the Minnesota highway, trees within a

3.4 mile radius of the road were showing indications of salt related death.

At this same time period the New Hampshire government reported the death and removal of about 14,000 trees due to salt related problems.

To determine if mouthwash or NaCl have any significant effect on algae growth and survival.

Determine any synergistic effects of these variables

Purpose

Hypotheses

Alternative: Mouthwash and NaCl will effect Euglena growth.

Null hypothesis: Mouthwash and NaCl will not effect Euglena growth.

Euglena gracilis algae NaCl stock concentration of 10% Cool Mint Listerine Mouthwash 37 Test tubes Test tube rack Spectrophotometer Grow light source Soil water Macro pipette and tips Micropipette and tips Spring water Notebook Calculator

Materials

Procedure

0 Mouthwash Concentration .1 Mouthwash Concentration .01 Mouthwash Concentration

0% NaCl 1 mL Soil Water 1 mL Soil Water 1 mL Soil Water

1 mL Algae 1 mL Algae 1 mL Algae

3 mL Spring Water 2.7 mL Spring Water 2.97 mL Spring water

0 mL Mouthwash 0.3 mL Mouthwash 0.03 mL Mouthwash

5 mL Total Volume 5 mL Total Volume 5 mL Total Volume

1% NaCl 1 mL Soil Water 1 mL Soil Water 1 mL Soil Water

1 mL Algae 1 mL Algae 1 mL Algae

2.97 mL Spring Water 2.67 mL Spring Water 2.94 mL Spring Water

0.03 mL NaCl 0.03 mL NaCl 0.03 mL NaCl

0 mL Mouthwash 0.3 mL Mouthwash 0.03 mL Mouthwash

5 mL Total Volume 5 mL Total Volume 5 mL Total Volume

5% NaCl 1 mL Soil Water 1 mL Soil Water 1 mL Soil Water

1 mL Algae 1 mL Algae 1 mL Algae

2.55 mL Spring Water 2.25 mL Spring Water 2.520 mL Spring Water

0.45 mL NaCl 0.45 mL NaCl 0.45 mL NaCl

0 mL Mouthwash 0.3 mL Mouthwash 0.03 mL Mouthwash

1. Fill 36 Test tubes as follows

1. Record all absorbance readings at 430 nm for all tubes.

2. Place test tube rack under grow light.

3. Record absorbance on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

4. Spring water was added to the tubes to replace water lost due to evaporation

Procedure

Limitations and Extensions Limitations

◦ Algae was not kept at the same temperature each day.

◦ Weather variations could have slightly effected data.◦ Algal cultures might not have been in optimal health

Extensions◦ Algal health- the study will be repeated using a fresh

culture and a longer period of observation◦ Different light fixtures and sources◦ Larger sample size

Mouthwash and NaCl Effects on Algal Growth

Day

Ab

sorb

ance

4

30

nm

Day 1 Day 3 Day 5 Day 7 Day 90

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0%1%5%

Sources "Evaluating Support for the Current Classification of Eukaryotic

Diversity". PLoS Genet. 2 (12): e220. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.0020220. PMID 17194223. p://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1713255.

alga, algae". Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged with Seven Language Dictionary. 1. Encyclopedia Britannica

"De-icer damaging thousands of trees on mountain passes". The Seattle Times (19 March 2008). Retrieved on 18 March, 2008.

Aliphatic Chains of Esterified Lipids in Isolated eyesptos of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris1

www.oercommons.org/courses/algae-experiments en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrophotometer

Sources continued en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NaCl hamptonroads.com/2008/01/odu-experiment-turning-

sewage-algaebased-biodiesel-flourishing www.dow.com/productsafety/finder/cacl