PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Mr. Scott Campbell, Spruce Creek High School	Mr. Phi Le, Andrew Carnegie Middle School
Ms. Cheryl Seals, Franklinton High School	Ms. Barbara Starkey, Clair E. Gale Junior High School
Mentor: Dr. Alice Gao, Rutgers University

CLICK ON PICTURE TO SEE COOL PHYTOPLANKTON ANIMATION!

INTRODUCTION

Our research question is: How does ultraviolet radiation affect the productivity of marine phytoplankton?

Ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) has the potential to decrease the productivity of phytoplankton in marine ecosystems. This has important implications as phytoplankton are at the bottom of most marine food chains. Decreases in their number can severely decrease productivity rates at higher trophic levels. This is of particular importance for the following reasons:

(1) More than 30% of the world’s animal protein for human consumption comes from
      seas and oceans.

(2) Aquatic ecosystems account for roughly half of the global production of carbon on a
      yearly basis. Phytoplankton reduction can lead to a decreased ability of these
      ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide.

(3) Just like the proverbial “canary in the mine”, Phytoplankton are excellent biological
      indicators that give early warning of impending ecological stress.
 

To learn more about this exciting topic, please click on one of the following links.

Background Information	Other Related Activities
Materials and Procedures	References and Links
Results, Discussion, and Conclusion	Our Photo Gallery

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us via email.

Mr. Scott Campbell	Mr. Phi Le
Ms. Cheryl Seals	Ms. Barbara Starkey

You may want to contact our mentor, Dr. Alice Gao.  Click below to send her an email message.