Project:

The Microscopic Zoology of New York City

Students:

Karen Liu, Chris Buiciuc

Institution:

Biotech Without Borders, Brooklyn

Mentors:

Ellen Jorgensen

Abstract:

Tardigrades, along with rotifers and other microscopic organisms are found in similar environments (mosses, lichens, etc.) and can potentially be used as bioindicators. They may be indicators of air quality as the lichens and moss they live in absorb and sponge up the nutrients in the air around them such as carbon dioxide, radiation, dust, sulfur dioxide, etc. We plan to correlate the biodiversity of tardigrades from three boroughs, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens to pollution, air quality, and environmental conditions. By collecting samples, sequencing the DNA, and identifying the species of microscopic organisms, we will be able to learn about the pollution and air quality between the different boroughs and how they compare. In other words, we plan to examine the dispersion, diversity, and abundance of microscopic organisms and use these findings to tell us about the different environmental conditions within New York City. Many states such as New York have not been surveyed, and thu

Poster:

Team samples: