Project:

Evaluating Biodiversity of Mytilidae Species on Long Island in Bay Park Water Reclamation Facility Estuary and Cedar Creek Waste

Students:

Simon Yu, Eric Reilly

School:

Lynbrook Senior High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Kathleen McAuley

Abstract:

Shellfish species are thought to be negatively affected by wastewater that is pumped out into nearby estuaries. Shellfish are extremely important for the estuary ecosystem due to their contribution in the cleanliness and balance of water conditions. Data will be collected from four locations in the Cedar Creek and Bay Park Estuaries. The Bay Park Estuary has wastewater pumped into it while the Cedar Creek Estuary is cleaner, with its wastewater outflow pipe located in the ocean. Four meter by four meter boxes will be spread out along these locations where samples will be collected. Once data is collected, Simpson’s diversity index will be used to determine the difference in biodiversity between the two estuaries. Results of the experiment can be used to determine the effect of wastewater outflow on the biodiversity of an ecosystem. Outcomes of the experiment will be a necessity to monitor the health of the ecosystems as wastewater outflow pipes are shut down or moved.

Poster:

Team samples: