Project:

Effects of Urban Stormwater Discharge on the Biodiversity of Meio/Macro-Benthic and Planktonic Invertebrates in Long Island Bays

Students:

Winter Collinson, Luis Cabrera

School:

Long Beach High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Richard Lebowitz

Abstract:

The relevance of examining the impacts of Urban drainage systems that release enormous volumes of stormwater, is that these have a significant impact on the biodiversity of meio/macro- benthic and planktonic invertebrates which play a significant role in water ecosystems. “The ecological quality of water systems, including urban waters, can be assessed by measuring various biodiversity parameters'' (Vermonden,pg. 11, 2010) How does urban stormwater drainage system discharge affect the biodiversity of meio/macro-benthic and planktonic Invertebrates in Long Island Bays? Invertebrate biodiversity will be investigated between two locations within the saltwater pond that is affected by the stormwater discharge. Invertebrate species will be identified using the DNA barcode process. Analysis of saltwater and freshwater discharge locations in the Long Beach High School Pond will assess the impact of biodiversity.

Poster:

Team samples: