Does an increase in nitrate and phosphate levels effect the growth of algae?
Objectives: Students will be able to: • determine if an increase in nitrate and phosphate levels will effect the growth of Chlorella, an algae. • evaluate the nitrate and phosphate levels at which an increase in algal growth occurs in a closed system. Note: Safety goggles and aprons should be worn at all times during this lab activity. Materials: 3 test tubes with screw caps distilled water graduated cylinder 10% nitrate/phosphate solution 20% nitrate/phosphate solution Chlorella culture light source After reading through the activity, develop a hypothesis which states which of the solutions, distilled water, 10% nitrate/phosphate solution or 20% nitrate/phosphate solution, will contain the largest amount of Chlorella after a five day period. Hypothesis: Procedure: Working with a partner: 1. Write your name and your lab partner’s name on each test tube. 2. Label the first test tube distilled water and fill in three quarters full with distilled water. This is the control. 3. Label the s
