03-04 Research Projects | Marine Science Experience Home Page | BioWeb Home Page
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Science |
| Project Title: Marine Science Experience/Nitrate Effects on Marine Life |
| Abstract: Every year more and more marine life die from chemicals produced by humans that wash in to the ocean. If excessive amounts of nitrates are being washed into the ocean, then it will lead to eutrophication. Bo Barker Jorgenson, Karin Zonneveld, Volker Bruchert, Ole Larsen, Axel Schippers, and Carsten Schubert did an experiment where they injected large amount of nitrate into a large tank with plants, and normal amount in another and put into a spot that the amount of sunlight similar to what the ocean has. The results showed that excessive amounts of nitrates leads to eutrophication which can increase pH levels in bodies of water because of increased photosynythesis. This lead to the conclusion that increased loads of nitrates stimulates algae growth, decreasing the clarity of the water. As the algae decompose the take up oxygen, which affects the supply for fish and other aquatic life. this shows that nitrates can kill marine life and are a danger to the oceans balance. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science 8-GATE |
| Project Title: Oil Spill Effects on Sea Birds |
| Abstract: Oil
spills affect the sea bird's habitat and its life. Oil is toxic and
causes many problems to marine organisms and may be lethal to them.
The effects of oil can be transmitted to different populations and affect
the reproduction cycle. Oil spills have long and short term effects. Seabirds are closely connected with water and land. Birds are unique in their ability to fly. However, it does not save them from oil spills effects, as they come into contact with oiled surface when they feed or breed. Nevertheless, the ability to fly gives them certain advantages over other animals, as they can migrate from an oil-affected area to a safer environment. In addition, oil transferred to bird's eggs by sublethally oiled adults can significantly decrease hatching success. Oil can also coat feathers of seabirds and result in bird's inability to maintain body temperature, making it impossible to swim or to fly. Oil can cause blindness and some internal injuries. Oil-coated birds can suffer hypothermia, dehydration, drowning and starvation, and become easy prey. For oiled animal populations, the state of total recovery is often not easy to achieve. However, the human and nature attempts to clean up spills make it possible for recovery. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science-GATE |
| Project Title: Harbor Seals Dying Off |
| Abstract: Harbor seals have been dying because of oil spills around the world. One specific oil spill occurred off the coast of Alaska, known as the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The harbor seal population has substantially decreased even after eleven years. The seals tend to mate with their own groups. The oil in their fur make them exposed to the cold and they die of hypothermia. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science 8-GATE |
| Project Title: Oil Spills' Effects on Harbor Seals |
| Abstract: Harbor seals have been dying from oil spills around the world. Oil spills like the one from the Exxon Valdez, off the coast of Alaska, have affected seals even after eleven years. Their population has decreased substantially, and they tend to stay with their own group instead of mating with others. The seals have been dying of cold related diseases, such as hypothermia, because the oil in their fur lets the cold in their bodies. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science-GATE |
| Project Title: Coral Reef Extinction |
| Abstract: Research shows that out of all of the coral reefs in the pacific ocean, 70% of them rate from excellent to good. The rest of them rate from fair to poor. Why? Well mostly because of humans nowadays. Many might die because of deforestation agriculture, construction, and pollution. Some of the most intact reefs are off Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Caroline islands, all of which are in the Pacific. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science 8-GATE |
| Project Title: How is Pollution Affecting Animals and Humans? |
| Abstract: On
10/16/03 and 11/21/03 we used instruments to measure pH. From there I came
up with the question of how pollution is affecting humans and animals. Pollution is affecting the animals by destroying their environment and killing them with harmful chemicals. It affects humans by making water unsafe to drink and unhealthy to swim in. We also should not litter because it will end up in the ocean. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science 8-GATE |
| Project Title: Marine Science Experience |
| Abstract: Manatees have been endangered for many years now. The manatees' main cause of death is watercrafts in the ocean. The gasoline leaking into the ocean and poisoning the creatures. The propeller from the boats are also endangering these great creatures. That was the major cause but there were also other causes. Another cause is pollution from oil tanks distorting the manatees to leave their habitat. Poison from chemical plants also distort the manatees. The manatee become confused in their orientation and leave the habitat. If they leave the habitat for too long they will die because they will eat organisms they may not have been suited to eat. Therefore there should be speed control for boats and take away chemical plants that could endanger these manatees. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science 8-GATE |
| Project Title: Marine Science Experience |
| Abstract: The
data for this report on the salmon lifecycle was collected by a fly
fisherman by the name of Ron Sullivan on September 1, 2001. This report
explores the life cycle of salmon. Salmon like most vertebrates are great
somoregulators. Salmon numbers in Oregon have dropped almost 90% from
historic levels. Many things are killing off salmon such as dams,
fisheries, and urban development. But logging is what this report is
focused on. Trees being removed along streams cause higher water
temperature. And logging practices in the past destroyed entire
streambeds, ruining salmon habitat. Much data collections came from hands
on work. Measuring temperature with a thermometer in a river where logging
occurred showed higher temperature than where logging had not. Thermometer
controls are making sure thermometer is clean before use and making sure
the water sample is not mixed with any other products. Examining logs from
the river showed evidence that here once was salmon eggs in the logs! There are numerous conclusions for this problem although man leads to other problems. Instead of taking logs from rivers, they could be cut from trees. But this would lead to destruction of other animal habitats. One conclusion that works could be cutting back on supplies that come from wood, only cutting down tress that are absolutely needed and tying also not to take all of the trees from one area. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Physical Science 8-GATE |
| Project Title: How Does the Tide Affect the Marine Life in the Otter Trawl? |
| Abstract: We went on two trips on the Seaworld to explore the uses of different sea instruments. We used a fathometer, salinometer, thermometer, Secchi disk, and other instruments for marine research. We also used the otter trawl, which affected the question I formed on the trips. My question was "How does the tide affect the marine life in the otter trawl?" My hypothesis was that there would be less species and types of species in a red tide. The data supported my hypothesis because there were more species, such as lobster, octopus and sea pen in the blue tide as opposed to the red. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Science |
| Project Title: Salinity and Dolphins |
| Abstract: On 10/19/03 and 11/17/03 our 8th grade science class went on the "Seaworld" marine science experience. We used equipment such as a salinometer, a refractometer, and a Secchi disk. Using these tools helped me develop a question about marine life. The question was: How does salinity affect dolphins and other organisms. Using my own knowledge and the knowledge of professional, more experienced scientists I have found the answer. |
| School/Teacher: David Starr Jordan Middle School, Burbank USD/Mr. Nick Wilhelm |
| Class: Science 8-GATE-Period 6 |
| Project Title: Marine Science Experiment |
| Abstract: The midshipman fish is a bottom dweller, spending most of its life buried underneath the ocean floor. We did not see one on the trip because they are not visible from the surface and we did not pick one up from the otter trawl. It is most known for its ways of communicating. Studies have shown that they use a series of growls and hums to attract mates and ward off other males that encroach on their territory. |
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