The Effects of Saltwater on Algae

This experiment was used to see the effect of salt water on the algae in the freshwater tables. The effect of salt water on algae will make the algae decrease in number. The algae were used as an indicator organism to give an idea of pollution concentrations. (Colgan, 33) Salt water can cause many problems if the salt water should enter the freshwater ways. This salt water can contaminate the aquifers and drinking waters of the world. This idea is backed up in Spatafora’s saltwater intrusion paper “When this occurs, it will move the saltwater freshwater interface inland, resulting in a higher saline concentration in the aquifers' water, rendering it useless for human consumption, unless it is treated.”(Spatafora, 2008) Not only can the saltwater effect the drinking water this water can also not be used for irrigation as seen in F. Lugoli’s article about the contamination of southeastern Salento’s groundwater “The results indicated widespread pollution from salt and microbial contamination. Contamination from faecal microorganisms posed a significant risk of human infection in 100% of samples. Furthermore, the water was unsuitable even for irrigation in a high percentage of cases (31.8%), which is of considerable significance given that agriculture is one of the most important economic activities in the area under study.”(Lugoli, 2010) The salt water can also kill the plants, algae, and ultimately the animals that use that water for water and food. The rising amounts of saltwater can cause plants to die as seen in Winn’s Saltwater Intrusion and Morphological Change at the Mouth of the East Alligator River, Northern Territory article “Significant morphological change has occurred since 1950, with the tidal creek extending 4 km inlan...

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...y fourteen to collect a good sample. The amounts of algae are measured in the absorbance of light found.

Works Cited

Colgan, Wes III, Ramsey, Linda, White, James D., and Spaulding, Jim. Explorations in Biology. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2010. 33-36. Print.

Lugoli, F., Leopizzi, M. I., Bagordo, F., Grassi, T., Guido, M., and Donno, A. De. “Widespread microbiological groundwater contamination in the South-eastern Salento (Puglia-Italy).” Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 13 (2010): 192-200. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.

Spatafora, James. “Saltwater Intrusion of Coastal Aquifers in the U.S.” Johnson State College. 6 May 2008. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.

Winn, K. O., Saynor, M.J., Eliot, M.J., and Elio, I. “Saltwater Intrusion and Morphological Change at the Mouth of the East Alligator River, Northern Territory.” Journal of Coastal Research. 22.1 (2006): 137-149. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.