The Effects of Light on Algae

• Algae-rich water can be collected in jars.Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
  
  Algae are photosynthetic organisms, which means, like plants, one component needed for their survival is light. One way students can test the photosynthetic process is by running an experiment to determine how well algae grows under different light levels, and how that differs from a potted plant. Collect four jars of pond water or algae-rich water. Make sure each jar has the same volume of water and has a similar consistency. Place one jar in a dark closet, one jar in an area next to a lamp that is on 24 hours a day, one jar next to a lamp that is on for only 12 hours a day and the other jar in a window that receives direct sunlight. Place a small plant next to each of the jars as well. Water the plants as needed, but make sure each plant receives the same amount of light as the algae jar. Record the algae growth and the plant growth for 14 days. You may take a drop of water and place it on a microscope slide and see how different the cells look. Take pictures, make notes and draw sketches of your observations. Do the rates of growth differ between plants and algae? Is one organism thriving more than the other? How do the different forms of light affect each of the organisms?
  
  

The Effects of Pollutants on Algae

• Pollutants can be added to water to measure its effects.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Algae are considered to be a major source of oxygen for the planet, and their viability is threatened by pollution. A project that looks at the effects of different pollutants on algae would help determine how well algae do when exposed to toxins. Identify which pollutants you would be interested in exploring. Some ideas might include cigarette butts, fuel, or anything that might prove harmful to the algae habitat. Collect jars of algae-rich water and add a pollutant to each jar. Collect jars of plain tap water and add the same pollutants to each jar. Leave one jar of pond water and one jar of tap water free of pollutants. Label each jar by its contents. Place the jars near a window so that they can receive sunlight. Observe the algae growth over 14 days and if possible, observe droplets of water using a microscope and slide. Be sure to record your findings with notes, photos and sketches. Does one particular pollutant deter algae growth more than the other? How does the algae-rich pond water differ from the tap water when a pollutant is added? Can you make any conclusions about pollutants and algae from your observations?
  
  

Algae as a Fertilizer

• Fertilizer can be enriched with algae to promote plant growth.Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Algae has also been effectively used as a fertilizer. One way that students can determine the effects of algae on plant life is to use it in the soil of different plants. Take several triplets of plants (three of the same plant). Obtain algae-enriched or seaweed fertilizer, and another type of fertilizer (not algae) from your local grower supply store or nursery. On one plant, use the algae fertilizer; on the other plant, use the non-algae fertilizer; on the third plant, use no fertilizer. Try this combination on different types of plants ( three sets of pansies, three sets of sunflowers, for instance). Measure the plant growth over 30 days. Do the plants with algae fertilizer differ from those with non-algae fertilizer or no fertilizer? Do different types of plants respond differently to the algae fertilizer? Record and photograph your results.
  
  

Algae Observations

• Seaweed wraps are used to create sushi.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Algae is all around us but few people stop to take the time to learn about all of its uses. One idea for a science project would be to research the ways algae is used in different parts of the world and how people view its usefulness. Set up a folding panel board and section it off into different geographic regions. For example, you might include information on Japan's use of seaweed to make sushi wraps, which are enjoyed by people all over the world. You might discuss how people in Hawaii have a problem with too much seaweed and steps they are taking to minimize seaweed. You might also discuss how scientists from certain parts of the globe are seeking to make algae a viable fuel option. Print out a short summary of your findings, and an image of each of the issues you are discussing.