Acid Rain Paper

Effects of Acid Rain on Unicellular Organisms That Provide Food for Aquatic Organisms

Jessica Buriani

Finn Hewitt D7

BI107 B1

11/14/11

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of acid rain on the food supply of aquatic organisms. pH was used to simulate the effects of acid rain, and the growth characteristics of unicellular microorganisms (protists) were microscopically observed.

Nutrient broth was adjusted to various pH levels and inoculated with the test organisms. The cultures were then incubated at room temperature for seven days, and the growths for each were observed and recorded. This effect was not directly proportional to the pH levels, and all the organisms were not affected the same. It is important to understand the reaction that organisms have with acidity so that scientists can monitor the levels of acidity in various ecosystems in comparison with the types of organisms living there. Aquatic organisms are important to the food chain. Therefore, if scientists can predict future outcomes and take action to prevent the death of organisms due to change in pH levels, the aquatic organisms that these unicellular organisms provide food for will not be affected and in turn cause of ripple effect of adverse effects on the ecosystem and environment.

Introduction

Acid precipitation, otherwise known as “acid rain,” is formed due to the burning of fossil fuels. This releases sulfur and nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere. When these compounds come into contact with the oxygen in the air, they form sulfuric acid or nitric acid. These acids are eventually deposited back into the Earth’s atmosphere in the form of acid rain (Godrick and Spilios, 2011). Scientists have recently discovered that the overall increase of acidity in the atmosphere, and the resulting acid rain, are extremely dangerous. The effect that acidity has on organisms living in an ecosystem could be highly detrimental to the food chain as...