Algae

Introduction Phytoplankton require nutrients and light to survive. Certain nutrients are a limiting factor in phytoplankton competition and composition. Some phytoplankton are limited by nitrogen while others may be limited by phosphorus (Quigg, 2016). The experiment in this paper will determine if a body of water is limited by nitrogen or phosphorus by running a resource limitation assay. Nutrient levels in bodies of water may change seasonally in a natural way (Vanni and Temte, 1990).…

The Great Barrier Reef; it’s a land filled with the wonders of marine life and the beauty of biodiversity. A land where a dense forest of coral stretches on for miles, and schools of vibrant fish dart in and out of coral-ridged windows. A land where sunlight dances through crystal water, landing delicately upon strong branches of the reef and small crustaceans scuttle about the streets of the busy underwater city. It is a land free from the effects of human existence. At least, that’s what we’d…

coral bleaching by promoting viral infections. The goal of this experiment was to see how sunblock ingredients have an impact on hard coral and their symbiotic algae. The experiments…

hawksbill turtle are found in the atlantic, pacific, indian oceans, or any tropical waters. They are normally found near reefs rich with sponges. The Hawksbill turtle feeds on sponges and they are also omnivorous and will also eat mollusks, marine algae, crustaceans, sea urchins, fish, and jellyfish. Without them, sponges have the ability to overgrow corals and suffocate the reefs. Hawksbill are important inhabitants of coral reefs. It’s estimated that one turtle one turtle can consume 1,000…

tourism, food, but they are extremely beneficial to the economy. So what is a coral reef? According to the NOAA, a coral reef is a “A mound or ridge of living coral, coral skeletons, and calcium carbonate deposits from other organisms such as calcareous algae, mollusks, and protozoans.” (Noaa.gov) Many people don’t realize how important the health of coral reefs are to our society. For starters, close to 500 million people worldwide depend on reefs, while 30 million are virtually dependent.…

some of the worst property damagers out there. These destructive plants like killer algae aren’t harmful to humans directly, but the algae poisons the fish that we could eat and it could harm us. Currently killer algae covers over fifty square miles of the ocean floor, over thirty two thousand acres and is toxic to fish and other marine life (loc. 880-902). Water hyacinth works in the same ways as the killer algae in respect to humans, especially who survive on waterways that become clogged…

2. Two areas that are experiencing coral bleaching are Hawaii, and Jamaica. Coral bleaching occurs as a result in increased water temperatures that cause the coral to release the algae that they need for food. The reason it is called bleaching is because when this happens, the coral loses all of its color. In Hawaii, the coral reef plays a significant role in protecting the beaches form erosion. If there is beach erosion, it will cost from 250 million to as much as 6 billion dollars to repair…

death-like reef. This phenomenon is known as coral reef bleaching. This makes corals unattractive and a breath away from death. Coral reef bleaching happens when the fragile relationship between coral and the tiny algae that live inside the corals’ tissues break down. This tiny algae is called zooxanthellae. The coral expels the living zooxanthellae when it breaks down. Zooxanthellae gives the coral most of its color and almost 90% of the energy required for the coral to grow. Without…

The Great Barrier Reef Do you want a perfect place to vacation that has breathtaking views of some rare, colorful coral? Would you like to dive into salty, blue aqua waters? Do you want to discover some eye-opening mysterious creatures? Then take a trip to Queensland, Australia and check out the Great Barrier Reef! Today, we are going to dive deep into the gorgeous, colorful Great Barrier Reef and learn all about it. Let’s research the reefs protection, figure out how it started, and ponder…

These polyps get 90% of their energy from small algae called zooxanthellae which also produces their colour. Bleaching occurs when the polyps get rid of the zooxanthellae which leaves the clear polyps on top of a coral skeleton (a calcium carbonate skeleton which is built underneath most corals). Without…