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Algae Preview: Investigating the needs, diversity, and uses
Algae Preview:Investigating the needs, diversity, and uses
Algae (aka Phytoplankton) BasicsPhytoplankton
◦ “Phyton” – plant◦ “Planktos” - wanderer
Aquatic◦ Freshwater◦ Marine◦ Estuaries
Photoautotroph◦ Make their own energy◦ From the sunlight
Cannot be seen by the naked eye
Living Requirements
PO-4 Si H2OTemperatureSunlight Amount (Cloudy v. Clear Day)pH
Competitors/Predators
Influences
External Factors
Primary Producer◦Over 50% O2
Production◦Staple for all
aquatic food webs
Ecological Threats◦ Climate Change = Warmer
Ocean Temperatures◦ Decrease in ocean density
by 40% since 1950 (Nature)
Ecological Importance
Diversity!
Anabaena: cyanobacteria, heterocystPalmodictyon: colonial, sheath
Dinobryon: Golden algae, “fishey” bloomsEudorina: 32-cell ball, all flagella point out
Diversity!
Scenedesmus: 4 cell colony, spinesCyclotella: circular diatom, looks like a tire
Pediastrum: colonial, “lace” Coccolithophores: calcium carbonate “shell”
Diversity!
Microcystis: Blue green, Gull Lake cyanoPeridinium: dinoflagellate, “egg with a belt”
Head to Gull Lake and the Lagoon to sample
Come back and ID common Michigan Species
Biofuel Preview
Game Time: Day In A Phytoplankton’s “Shoes”
What’s Next!?
