BTYSTE
The BTYSTE also known as the Bt Young Scientist and Technology Expedition was a competition done in my science class, I entered it with two other People, These were Aonraoi Mullen and Eoin Forde. To start it we had to do a one page proposal.
Project 2371:
Investigation into algae growth in blue flag swimming areas in Ireland
Observation:
We got the idea for this project started when one of the group members was doing a lifeguard course in Salthill but it was said to be dangerous to swim in because of recent algae growth. Then. We noticed algae bloom in our local swimming area (Lough Derg). We discussed the topic among our group and found out we knew very little about algae. Before testing we researched a lot about algae. We discovered that there is over 200,000 different species of algae. We also discovered that algae is neither classified as a plant or animal. So that made us thinks what exactly algae is? All Seaweed is a type of algae. There are three main algae groupings: red, brown, green-blue. Marine plants (mainly algae) produced over 70% of the world’s oxygen. Algae bloom is the rapid growth of algae in an area. The growth can be a danger to swimmers and it can close swimming areas as we experienced.
Hypothesis: If algae growth is extensive nationwide then it may threaten blue flag beaches.
Method:
· We took 50 water samples from ten blue flag swimming areas in Ireland. We chose these areas at random.
· We ran different tests with the water sample.
· Test 1: the jar test. The simplest test to show the presence of algae. We placed some water into 3 different jars. 1. Distilled water for a control test. 2. 50 Water samples from test sites 1-10. 3. We let them settle for 72 hours in a cool fridge. Algae rises to the surface if it is present. Only suitable for blue-green algae.
· Test 2: dissolved oxygen measurement. 1.We measured the dissolved oxygen in each sample using a dissolved oxygen meter. 2. We compared the dissolved oxygen levels with the samples containing algae to the samples containing no algae.
· Test 3: Microscopic analysis: We examined each sample under a microscope for macroalgae.
· Test 4: Light penetration and shadowing. We analysed the light penetration and shadowing effect from phytoplankton.
· Test 5: Water temperature. We also recorded the temperature of the sample.
Results
We are currently analysing our data on Microsoft excel using quantitative analysis techniques. The different blue flag beaches contain different amounts of algae, dissolved oxygen and have different temperatures. We relating the data back to eutrophication reports and swimming area closures in 2017.
References:
· http://aqua.iwaponline.com/content/47/3/125 (Published May 1998)
· http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015379617307783 (1975)
· http://agris.fao.org/agri-search/search.do?recordID=US201300682357 (1933)
· https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-66505-9_44 (1974)
We also did a booklet with all the information in it as well as a logbook filled with what we did for the project kind of like a diary, and finally we had to make a poster.
While we were there we had to stand at our stand for the day and wait for judges for the first two days, the first day was only one judge and the second day we had another two judges and it was open to the public. after the second day all of us from portumna school went to funderland to go ice-skating for the evening. The third day was final judging for those who needed more judges as well as that it was open to the public. At the end of the day we had to awards ceremony. And the final day was just open to the public to have a look at the projects.
Project 2371:
Investigation into algae growth in blue flag swimming areas in Ireland
Observation:
We got the idea for this project started when one of the group members was doing a lifeguard course in Salthill but it was said to be dangerous to swim in because of recent algae growth. Then. We noticed algae bloom in our local swimming area (Lough Derg). We discussed the topic among our group and found out we knew very little about algae. Before testing we researched a lot about algae. We discovered that there is over 200,000 different species of algae. We also discovered that algae is neither classified as a plant or animal. So that made us thinks what exactly algae is? All Seaweed is a type of algae. There are three main algae groupings: red, brown, green-blue. Marine plants (mainly algae) produced over 70% of the world’s oxygen. Algae bloom is the rapid growth of algae in an area. The growth can be a danger to swimmers and it can close swimming areas as we experienced.
Hypothesis: If algae growth is extensive nationwide then it may threaten blue flag beaches.
Method:
· We took 50 water samples from ten blue flag swimming areas in Ireland. We chose these areas at random.
· We ran different tests with the water sample.
· Test 1: the jar test. The simplest test to show the presence of algae. We placed some water into 3 different jars. 1. Distilled water for a control test. 2. 50 Water samples from test sites 1-10. 3. We let them settle for 72 hours in a cool fridge. Algae rises to the surface if it is present. Only suitable for blue-green algae.
· Test 2: dissolved oxygen measurement. 1.We measured the dissolved oxygen in each sample using a dissolved oxygen meter. 2. We compared the dissolved oxygen levels with the samples containing algae to the samples containing no algae.
· Test 3: Microscopic analysis: We examined each sample under a microscope for macroalgae.
· Test 4: Light penetration and shadowing. We analysed the light penetration and shadowing effect from phytoplankton.
· Test 5: Water temperature. We also recorded the temperature of the sample.
Results
We are currently analysing our data on Microsoft excel using quantitative analysis techniques. The different blue flag beaches contain different amounts of algae, dissolved oxygen and have different temperatures. We relating the data back to eutrophication reports and swimming area closures in 2017.
References:
· http://aqua.iwaponline.com/content/47/3/125 (Published May 1998)
· http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015379617307783 (1975)
· http://agris.fao.org/agri-search/search.do?recordID=US201300682357 (1933)
· https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-66505-9_44 (1974)
We also did a booklet with all the information in it as well as a logbook filled with what we did for the project kind of like a diary, and finally we had to make a poster.
While we were there we had to stand at our stand for the day and wait for judges for the first two days, the first day was only one judge and the second day we had another two judges and it was open to the public. after the second day all of us from portumna school went to funderland to go ice-skating for the evening. The third day was final judging for those who needed more judges as well as that it was open to the public. At the end of the day we had to awards ceremony. And the final day was just open to the public to have a look at the projects.