Project:

Diatom Diversity in the Waterways of New York City

Students:

Cecily Vermillion, BoYang Cao, Karena Chen

Institution:

John Jay College, CUNY,

Mentors:

Richard Li

Abstract:

Diatoms are a type of single-celled algae that play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. Diatoms produce oxygen, form the base of the food chain, and give scientists crucial information about the health of the water they live in (Lange-Bertalot, 2001). The type and amount of diatoms present in water can be affected by pollution such as chemicals, sewage, and factory waste, all of which are common in cities (Kahl, Zohary, & Grubbs, 2020). By looking at the variety of diatoms in various waters, we can better understand the health of these ecosystems. (Besse-Lototskaya, Boulêtreau, & Tison, 2016; Stenger, Smith, & Blackwell, 2019). Therefore, this study will explore the diversity of diatoms living in urban waterways.

Poster: