Investigating the effect pollution has on aquatic life - Daphnia Water Flea

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CATALINA SCHOUTEN 11N

MR BENDALL

AIM:

In this investigation I will be investigating the effect pollution has on aquatic life. In this case I will be using a Daphnia (water flea).

I am planning to do this by placing the Daphnia in a petri dish with pond water and I will be adding the pollutant Caffeine. Then I will be measuring its heart rate.

Background Information

Humans affect the water because of various reasons. One reason is because of untreated sewage in the water. Micro-organisms that break down the sewage use up a lot of oxygen in the water.

Pesticides also pollute the water. They are mainly used on farms, so therefor lakes and ponds near farms get polluted regularly. This is because when it rains, the chemicals dissolve and seep into the soil. The chemicals then get into the lakes or rivers.

Pollutants also use up oxygen in the water. Therefore living organisms die because of the lack of oxygen.

The pollutant that we are using in this experiment is caffeine. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee and kola nut. It stimulates the heart and the central nervous system. When isolated it is a bitter crystalline compound. Too much intake of caffeine can be detrimental to health.

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Dependent Variables 

In this investigation, I will be measuring the heart rate of the water flea. I will do this by placing the water flea under a microscope and count its heartbeat. I will be able to do this because the water flea is translucent and I will be able to see its heart beating. I will do it for fifteen seconds, then multiply the result by four to get a minute worth.

Independent Variables

In this investigation, we will be changing the amount of ...

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