Our Mission
Our Purpose
Our mission is to eliminate algae blooms occurring in Utah Lake. We hope that by doing this the lake will close less often, and bring less disruptions to fishing and recreation in the lake. We began looking for solutions that would clear the lake of the algae while leaving the lake open for recreational purposes. We propose that the water treatment plants feeding into Utah Lake implement controlled algae growth in their facilities in order to remove nutrients causing algae blooms in the lake itself. The sections below describe how we tested the removal of nutrients from the water by the algae.
Our Procedure
Our overall action plan went as follows:
Brainstorming Ideas based on Utah Lake-Algae blooms
Researched algae and what kind is in the lake
Researched causes of lake closure
Researched solutions
Develop process to eliminate threat
Contacted different sources
Collected water samples
Began water tests
Grow Algae for 7-10 days
Remove algae from samples
11. Test water for nitrogen and phosphorus post algal growth
Our water testing in step 11 went as follows:
Testing water samples pre-treatment with the algae for nitrogen and phosphorus
Put 20 mL of each sample into culture tubes
Put 500𝞵L of Chlorella sp. into each sample tube
Culture algae for 7-10 days on a rocking platform with a timed lighting system
Use a microcentrifuge to separate algae out of the water samples
Retest water samples post treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus
On average, phosphorus levels dropped by about 70% and nitrogen levels dropped by about 40%. This difference would greatly reduce algae blooms in Utah Lake.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Science
Research
We are interested in studying the natural systems which shape and guide the processes of the natural world. Our long-term goal is to identify and characterize the scientific mechanisms specific to our principal areas of research. You can read on to find out more about these projects below.
Specific Responsibilities
Test Results-Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels
