In conclusion

This project was interesting to say the least but im really glad i dove into this as my science fro senior year it was a good experience in learning to work with a team!

-Sue Shells

inside our tank 9/27/12

-Rick Rocks

10/11....... Invasive Plants

Purple Loosestrife, Water Lettuce and Hydrilla are invasive plants all with similar negative effects on texas plants.Loosestrife clogs irrigation canals while shading out vegetation decreasing diversity. Water lettuce forms large mats stealing oxygen out of the water and imoeading navigation.and finally hydrilla also kills native vegetation and impeads navigation.

-Nick R

10/10..... Invasive Plants

Invasive plants cost financial and ecosystem issues to the waterbody and surrounding communities.

Alligatro weed is a invasive plant from south america it is aggressive and mat forming impairing navitgation and recreational uses. It also shades out native vegetation. It is a periennial shore line plant.

Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive from eurasia it grows 6-9' this plant also impedes navigation and kills native vegetation ruining habitats for all the living organisms and stealing nutrients.

Giant salivina is the aquatic plant from hell spawning form south america. This plant reduces oxygen while also negatively affecting water quality and shading out native vegetation.

-Chris Chlorine

10/9...Native or Invasive

Native plants are plants that were naturally in the aquatic ecosystem while invasives are plants that were brought in from outside sources.Native plants are good for the ecosystem because they give natural nutrients food and shelter to the organisms in the waterbody.

- Nick R

october 1st ....Assessing a water body

To assess a water body first use a dichotimus key to look at a sample and use the formula to see pollution levels in the water body. If those come back with out useable results chemical panels may be needed. Although they are more expensive they are also more accurate. Cities need to know the levels in their water bodies because that is the source of water that is supporitng their community through consumable water, irrigation, and sewage. If these levels are disrupted people could get sick.

October 3rd..... Our tank

Since we st up our tank our ammonia levels have managed to even out and the plants have started fixing the nitrogen creating a stable ecosystem. The most challenging part of the project has been getting all of the levels in a healthy margin for the fish. The constant cleaning whenver the levels are too high have been bothersome, because of these reasons i would never want to have an aquarium at home. The most interesting thing for us in class has been the use of the syphon which never misses a chance in which to come apart and get us soaking wet.

-Sue Shells

9/28/12....Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is based on carbon dioxide (CO₂), which can be found in air in the gaseous form, and in water in dissolved form. Terrestrial plants use atmospheric carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, to generate oxygen that sustains animal life. Aquatic plants also generate oxygen, but they use carbon dioxide from water.
The process of oxygen generation is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants and other producers transfer carbon dioxide and water into complex carbohydrates, such as glucose, under the influence of sunlight. Only plants and some bacteria have the ability to conduct this process, because they possess chlorophyll; a pigment molecule in leaves that they can capture solar energy with.

 

 

Chris Cholrine