The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Gas on the Growth Rate of Oscillatoria Cyanobacteria

The effect of carbon dioxide gas on oscillatoria cyanobacteria growth rate was determined to better understand recent, hazardous algae blooms in aquatic environments throughout the world.
Two separate cultures of oscillatoria cyanobacteria were grown in constructed photo bioreactors. These independent populations were allowed normal growth in a natural environment. Afterwards, one of the cultures was subjected to excess carbon dioxide gas; the other culture remained under the prior conditions, acting as a control. Samples were extracted from the photo bioreactors and tested for light absorbance using a photo spectrometer.

The results were seen as density equivalent and calculated for growth rate. These growth rates were statistically analyzed using a two sample t-test, and the data was tested for validity. According to the two sample t-test, carbon dioxide gas had a significant effect on the growth rate of oscillatoria cyanobacteria.

Past scientific studies support the results of the experiment. When algae blooms experience a period of immaculate growth, they become hazardous, releasing harmful toxins, which are a byproduct of their growth, into the surrounding environment. With the help of these results, the scientific community can find ways to decrease the amount of CO2 pollution in order to prevent the outbreak of harmful algae blooms.

Research Conducted By:

Luis Dimech
Cousino High School

Maxwell Morgan
Warren Mott High School

 

 

X