Outline of Lab Report
Title Include Keywords: Algal Growth- Nitrogen and Phosphorus- Pond Water
By Author’s Name
Phoenix College Biology Department
Introduction
What is nutrient enrichment? Cite the work of others. (Moss 1996 and Campbell & Reece 2005)
1. Addition of N&P to ponds and streams
2. Sources of excess nutrients include organic material and chemicals
Why is nutrient enrichment an important issue? Cite the work of others. (Moore et. al. 2003 and Moss 1996 and Campbell & Reece 2005)
1. Nutrient enrichment causes eutrophication.
2. Nutrient enrichment changes the amounts and types of microbes.
3. Nutrient enrichment decreases O2 and pH and alters food webs.
What is the current study about?
1. The effects of N&P on pond water.
2. Algal growth in the test tube.
3. Controlled experiment that isolates the relationship AG=f(NP)
What might the current study contribute to the question of nutrient enrichment?
1. It can isolate the contribution of N&P on algal growth.
2. Allows the extrapolation of the results to natural ponds and streams.
3. Provides the basis for making predictions about nutrient enrichment.
What hypothesis is being tested in the current study?
1. H0-no effect
2. H1-AG directly effected by [N&P]
3. H2-AG indirectly effected by [N&P]
Methods
Describe the procedures used in the study.
· Describe the sampling of pond water. (Pepe 2007)
1. General Location
2. Specific Pond
3. Sampling Technique
· Describe the serial dilution. (Pepe 2007)
1. Stock solution [N&P]
2. 10X serial dilution of N&P in pond water
3. Final concentrations of N&P in each treatment
· Describe the incubation.
1. Type of incubator.
2. Light and temperature settings
3. Duration
· Describe measuring algal growth. (Pepe, 2007)
1. Comparator
2. Scale
3. Ranking process
· Which tables and figures will you use to illustrate the methods? (City of Phoenix, 2008)
1. Map of Rio Salado______
2. Serial Dilution
3. Comparator
Results
How did the experiment turn out?
1. AG per treatment
2. Summary statistics
3. Linear model y=mx+b
Which graphs, data tables and figures will you use to illustrate?
1. Summary statistics table
2. Frequency table and bar graph
3. x-y plot
Discussion
What do the results mean?
1. Describe general relationship between AG and NP.
2. Refer to results for support of general description.
3. Discuss the strength of the relationship in regards to the supporting data.
Draw conclusions about your original hypotheses.
1. H0 and H2 refuted
2. H1 supported
How has the study contributed to the overall understanding of nutrient enrichment? Cite the work of others. (Moss 1996 and Moore et. al. 2003 and Campbell & Reece 2005)
1. Extrapolate results to ponds and streams.
2. Describe the amounts of N&P it takes to cause an algal bloom.
3. Show how the results agree with the studies reported in the literature.
Literature Cited
List all published works mentioned in your paper.
Campbell, NA, Reece, JB. 2005. Biology. 7th ed. San Francisco (CA): Pearson/Benjamin
Cummings. 1231 pp.
City of Phoenix. 2008. Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. City of Phoenix; [cited 2008 April 14; Last Modified on 04/11/2008]. Available from: http://phoenix.gov/riosalado/.
Moore, J., Schmdier, D., and Scheuerell, M. 2003. Lake eutrophication on the urban fringe, Seattle region, USA. Ambio. 32(1):13-18.
Moss, B. 1996. A land awash with nutrients-the problem of eutrophication. J. Chemistry and Industry. 11:407-412.
Pepe, P. 2007. Pond Water Resources [Internet]. Phoenix (AZ): Phoenix College; [cited 2008 April 14]. Available from: http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/ppepe/BIO182/pondwater.htm.