Protozoa ciliates community structure in urban streams and their environmental use as indicators SUMMARY: Three urban stream samples were collected during both dry and rainy seasons in Brazil. Ciliates were classified and identified in each stream. The relationships between the ciliates, abiotic factors, and biotic factors are discussed in the last section of the paper.… Continue reading Using ciliates as indicators
Category: HSus 2: Monitoring Human Impact (MS)
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Impacts of Biogeochemical Redox Processes
Biogeochemical Redox Processes and their Impact on Contaminant Dynamics SUMMARY: Reduction and oxidation reactions are the drivers behind many biological processes. Energy is both stored and transferred through these reactions. This article talks about the various redox reactions that can occur, both biotically and abiotically, and how that affects both biogeochemical cycles and contaminants. The… Continue reading Impacts of Biogeochemical Redox Processes
Protozoa in Wastewater Treatment Processes
Protozoa in wastewater treatment processes: A minireview SUMMARY: This is a short review of the role protozoa play in wastewater treatment plants. Most of the protozoa are ciliates and they graze on bacteria, excrete nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon waste, and are used as indicators of water quality. Toxins such as heavy metals, salts, and other… Continue reading Protozoa in Wastewater Treatment Processes
Investigating Microplastics on Land
Microplastics as an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems (NOT OPEN ACCESS) SUMMARY: Though there has been a lot of research on microplastics in aquatic environments, there aren’t studies looking into the effects of microplastics on land. Researchers in this article suspect that there may be more microplastics on land than in the oceans; organisms that… Continue reading Investigating Microplastics on Land
Review: Microplastics in Canadian Aquatic Ecosystems
Microplastics in aquatic environments: Implications for Canadian ecosystems SUMMARY: This article reviews currently research studies on microplastics. It talks about the sources of microplastics, the amount in aquatic systems, the effects on organisms, and finally the gaps in research. LESSON COMMENTS: While you can certainly read this article in its entirety, I would focus on… Continue reading Review: Microplastics in Canadian Aquatic Ecosystems
Effects of Antibiotics on Plankton
Interspecies Interactions Reverse the Hazard of Antibiotics Exposure: A Plankton Community Study on Responses to Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride SUMMARY: Antibiotics that have made their way into aquatic ecosystems may have an effect on the food chains there. This study tested the effects of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride on 2 different types of algae (phytoplankton) and a species of… Continue reading Effects of Antibiotics on Plankton