Final: Creative Biotech.
Project Description: We set out to solve a world problem using biotechnology. Our problem? Coral bleaching. Our solution? Iron fertilization. Bleaching happens due to fluctuation in water temperature, pollutants from runoff, and overexposure to sunlight. These factors stress the coral, resulting in the expulsion of its symbiotic algae zooxanthellae, which lives in its tissues. This leaves the coral susceptible to disease and starvation.
Fertilizing the reefs with iron will foster phytoplankton blooms. This has two benefits. First, it will reduce ocean pollution due to their efficiency in converting CO2 to Oxygen during photosynthesis. This helps stabilize rising water temperatures that contribute to coral bleaching. Second, abundance of phytoplankton allows their predator, zooplankton, to thrive. This is the primary food source of coral and would reduce starvation rates caused by weakness from bleaching.
We decided to focus on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, because it's the most influential and therefore first priority to save. Our plan is to conduct 6 or more preliminary tests to determine the best method of fertilization and its effects on the reef's ecosystem. Scroll down to the third document below to see the details of each test. Once we develop a safe method of fertilization, we will submit a proposal to the government. If it's approved, we would fertilize Pixie Reef in Australia from September to February the following year. We made a detailed materials list, attached below, and budgeted $33,000 for the preliminary testing. To learn more about our plan, see the google slides presentation below.
Fertilizing the reefs with iron will foster phytoplankton blooms. This has two benefits. First, it will reduce ocean pollution due to their efficiency in converting CO2 to Oxygen during photosynthesis. This helps stabilize rising water temperatures that contribute to coral bleaching. Second, abundance of phytoplankton allows their predator, zooplankton, to thrive. This is the primary food source of coral and would reduce starvation rates caused by weakness from bleaching.
We decided to focus on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, because it's the most influential and therefore first priority to save. Our plan is to conduct 6 or more preliminary tests to determine the best method of fertilization and its effects on the reef's ecosystem. Scroll down to the third document below to see the details of each test. Once we develop a safe method of fertilization, we will submit a proposal to the government. If it's approved, we would fertilize Pixie Reef in Australia from September to February the following year. We made a detailed materials list, attached below, and budgeted $33,000 for the preliminary testing. To learn more about our plan, see the google slides presentation below.