Question: How diverse are the plankton species of South Maui?
Hypothesis/Prediction: I hypothesize that we will find 999 different species of plankton in our samples. If there are 999 different species of plankton in our samples then we will observe 999 different species of plankton.
Materials: Plankton samples, plankton net, ID books, microscopes, slides, cover slips, pipette, pen, pencil.
Procedure:
1) Collect materials
2) Run plankton net through water for three minutes
3) Cap the samples found in the plankton nets
4) Test the oxygen in the water by submerging to the desired depth. Remove
cap and allow the bottle to fill. Replace cap while the bottle is still
submerged. Retrieve bottle and examine it carefully.
5) Test phosphates by filling test tube (0843) to mark with sample water.
Use 1.0 mL pipet (0354) to add 1.0 mL of *Phosphate Acid Reagent
(V-6282). Cap and mix. Use 0.1 g spoon (0699) to add one level measure of *Phosphate
Reducing Reagent (V-6283). Cap and mix until dissolved. Wait 5 minutes.
Remove stopper from test tube. Place tube in Phosphate Comparator (3122) with Axial Reader (2071). Fill two test tubes (0843) to the 10 mL line with sample water. Place in Axial Reader.
Match sample color to a color standard. Record as ppm Orthophosphate.
6) Test the nitrates in the water by filling the water sampling bottle (0688) with sample water.
Fill one test tube (0898) to the lower line (5 mL) with sample water.
Dilute to second line with *Mixed Acid Reagent (V-6278). Cap and mix.
Wait 2 minutes. Use the 0.1 g spoon (0699) to add one level measure of Nitrate Reducing Reagent.
Cap tube. Invert tube slowly and completely 30 times in 1 minute to insure complete mixing.
Wait 10 minutes. Insert test tube into Axial Reader (2071). Fill two test tubes (0898) to
the 10 mL line with sample water. Place in Axial Reader. Match sample color to a color standard. Record as ppm Nitrate-Nitrogen.
7) Test turbidity by filling one Turbidity Column (0835) to the 50 mL line with the sample
water. If the black dot on the bottom of the tube is not visible when
looking down through the column of liquid, pour out a sufficient
amount of the test sample so that the tube is filled to the 25 mL line.
Fill the second Turbidity Column (0835) with an amount of
turbidity-free water that is equal to the amount of sample being
measured. Place the two tubes side by side and note the difference in clarity. If
the black dot is equally clear in both tubes, the turbidity is zero. If the
black dot in the sample tube is less clear continue on.
Shake the Standard Turbidity Reagent (7520) vigorously. Add 0.5 mL
to the “clear water” tube. Use the stirring rod (1114) to stir contents
of both tubes to equally distribute turbid particles. Check for amount
of turbidity by looking down through the solution at the black dot. If
the turbidity of the sample water is greater than that of the “clear
water”, continue to add Standard Turbidity Reagent in 0.5 mL
increments to the “clear water” tube, mixing after each addition until
the turbidity equals that of the sample. Record total amount.
8) Test the pH level by rinsing a test tube (0898) with sample water. Fill to 5 mL line with
sample water. Add one Chlorine DPD #1R Tablet. Cap and mix until
tablet disintegrates. Immediately insert test tube into DPD Chlorine Comparator.
Match sample color to a color standard. Record as ppm.
9) Test and record water temperature.10) Record time, weather and water movement.
11) Return samples to lab.
12) Set up microscopes.
13) When using a compound microscope first plug it into a power socket. Next use the pipette to collect plankton samples and place a few drops onto a slide. Then put a drop of detainer into the sample on the slide. Place the slide under the microscope and turn on the light switch. To focus the microscope use either of the knobs near the front bottom of the microscope.
14) When using a Pro-Scope fit the neck of the microscope onto its body until it is set up. Plug it in and pull up the application on the computer. Next use a pipette to collect a sample and place a few drops into the dish. Place a drop or two of detainer into the dish. Place the dish under the Pro-scope and adjust the neck of the Pro-scope closer or farther away from the dish until it is focused to your liking.
15) Observe and note data.
Data:
Salinity- 10%
Temperature- 25.3 ' C
Tide- Low
Wave action- None
Cloud Cover- Medium
Turbidity- OJTU
Phosphates- 2 PPM
Nitrates- 2 PPM
Oxygen- 0 PPM
PH- 7.98
I positively identified six different species of plankton.
Conclusion: How diverse are the plankton species of South Maui? I hypothesized that we would find 999 different species of plankton in our samples. My hypothesis was incorrect because I only positively identified 6 different species of plankton in our samples. Some sources of error may have been poor observations, misidentifying the species, samples were from only one location which may not provide enough variety, some creatures were not slowed by the detain and it made it difficult to properly observe, and many others.
12) Set up microscopes.
13) When using a compound microscope first plug it into a power socket. Next use the pipette to collect plankton samples and place a few drops onto a slide. Then put a drop of detainer into the sample on the slide. Place the slide under the microscope and turn on the light switch. To focus the microscope use either of the knobs near the front bottom of the microscope.
14) When using a Pro-Scope fit the neck of the microscope onto its body until it is set up. Plug it in and pull up the application on the computer. Next use a pipette to collect a sample and place a few drops into the dish. Place a drop or two of detainer into the dish. Place the dish under the Pro-scope and adjust the neck of the Pro-scope closer or farther away from the dish until it is focused to your liking.
15) Observe and note data.
Data:
Salinity- 10%
Temperature- 25.3 ' C
Tide- Low
Wave action- None
Cloud Cover- Medium
Turbidity- OJTU
Phosphates- 2 PPM
Nitrates- 2 PPM
Oxygen- 0 PPM
PH- 7.98
I positively identified six different species of plankton.
Conclusion: How diverse are the plankton species of South Maui? I hypothesized that we would find 999 different species of plankton in our samples. My hypothesis was incorrect because I only positively identified 6 different species of plankton in our samples. Some sources of error may have been poor observations, misidentifying the species, samples were from only one location which may not provide enough variety, some creatures were not slowed by the detain and it made it difficult to properly observe, and many others.
