Author: Massimo Grisanti
Advisor: Kevin Crowthers
Category: First Year
Abstract: Harmful algae blooms (HABs), which block sunlight for aquatic life and produce toxins harmful to humans, are a rising risk as global temperatures increase. Current methods to treat HABs, like physical removal and chemical treatment, are inefficient and ineffective, having little to no effect on the bloom. Recent studies have shown that the amino acid L-lysine is highly effective at killing Microcystis cells, a type of harmful algae; however, no research has been done to determine the environmental effects and sustainability of lysine applications. This study examined how L-lysine would affect a marine food chain undergoing an HAB by using the zooplankton species Daphnia pulex as a model organism. It was found that while undergoing a bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa, the lysine supported the growth of zooplankton while killing the harmful algal cells.
UN SDGs:
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
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