Project:

Analyzing DNA Barcode Sequences to Determine Invertebrate Biodiversity in the Peconic River Estuary

Students:

Alex Yat, Jacob St. Clair, Thomas Kreuter

School:

Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Robert Bolen

Abstract:

The Peconic Estuary is a safe-haven for several developing species of both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The quality of its safety is decreasing due to negative impacts by humans, which includes pollution and rises in temperature. This can lead to rapid growth of algal blooms that will strip the surrounding waters of vital oxygen. Decreases in oxygen levels disallows respiration in aquatic organisms, which results in deaths of key organisms to the development and maintenance of the environment, and in turn, decreasing the environment's biodiversity. Without a balanced and biodiverse ecosystem, the quality of the Peconic estuary would decline. It is important to maintain proper biodiversity because the Peconic Estuary is an important location for the development of young aquatic organisms. Using a sein net as well as hand-held nets, upwards of 20 invertebrate samples will be collected. Samples will then be preserved in 99% ethanol and stored in a freezer. Using DNA barcoding the ta

Poster:

Team samples:

See all samples for project