The Effect of Varied Light on The
Activity and Function of
Cassiopeia xamachana
Pilar McQuirter
Simedar Jackson
Purpose
• The purpose of this experiment is to explore
the short and long term effects of pollution on
an ecosystem.
Experimental Hypothesis
• If the Cassiopeia
xamachana are exposed to
decreased amounts of light,
then their activity would
decrease because they
derive nutrition from
photosynthetic algae on
their tentacles.
Null Hypothesis
• If the Cassiopeia
xamachana are exposed to
decreased amounts of light,
then their will be no effect
on their activity.
Design of Experiment
• Dependent Variable: Activity of Cassiopeia
xamachana
• Independent Variable: Light intensity
• Control Group: Specimen 1 & 2, Exposed to 40
watt bulb
• Constants: Food, exposure time, and
temperature
Materials
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
5.5 gallon tanks (3)
Cassiopea xamachana (5)
10 gallon tank (1)
Tetra Air Pump (3)
Accuair Valve (1)
Filter (4)
Tetra HT10 50W
Submersible Heater (1)
Mini Heater 10W (3)
Nature’s Ocean Bacteria
Inoculated Sand (1 bag)
Charcoal
Mortar and Pestle
Stirring rods
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Optix Acrylic Sheet
Fish net
Timer
Ruler
Shopping Bag
Scale
40 watt EcoSmart light bulb
(3)
60 watt EcoSmart light bulb
(1)
Syphon
Plastic tubing
Salt water
5 gallon water jugs
Procedure
Specimen 1 & 2
1. 40 watt Light Bulb
2. Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp
Cube, once a week
3. Data Collected once a
week
Procedure
Specimen 3 Treatment
1. Using Mortar and Pestle,
Kingsford Charcoal was
ground
2. Scale was zeroed with
plastic weighing tray
3. Ground Charcoal was
placed in weighing tray,
then weighed
4. 2.0 g of Charcoal was
dusted atop the water of
the tank
5. 40 watt Light Bulb
6. Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp
Cube, once a week
7. Data Collected once a
week
Procedure
Specimen 4
1. Various holes cut in
shopping bag for
a) Light
b) Viewing
2. Viewing holes taped over
when not in use, so not to
add any extra light
3. 40 watt Light Bulb
4. Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp
Cube, once a week
5. Data Collected once a
week
Specimen 5
1. 60 watt Light bulb shined
directly on specimen
2. Fed ½ frozen Brine Shrimp
Cube, once a week
3. Data Collected once a
week
Feeding
1. Frozen Brine Shrimp cubes
were cut in half for
specimens 3-5
2. Whole cube was given to
specimens 1 & 2
Pulses per Minute
Date:
Specimine 1
12/16/12
Specimen 2
Specimen 3
Specimen 4
Specimen 5
Date:
3/8/12
Specimen 1
Specimen 2 Specimen 3 Specimen 4
Specimen 5
Trial 1
23
19
21
20
56
Trial 1
24
15
15
14
68
Trial 2
27
20
20
21
52
Trial 2
25
18
17
12
78
Trial 3
26
19
24
18
51
Trial 3
25
17
16
11
78
Average
25.33
19.33
21.67
19.67
53.00
Average
24.67
16.67
16.00
12.33
74.67
Length
3 cm
3.5 cm
5.2 cm
6.5 cm
4.5 cm
Length
4.6 cm
4.2 cm
5.2 cm
6.1 cm
5.7 cm
Date:
2/27/12
Specimine 1
Specimen 2
Specimen 3
Specimen 4
Specimen 5
Date:
3/15/12
Specimen 1
Trial 1
25
13
14
32
30
Trial 1
21
18
16
10
66
Trial 2
25
13
19
26
29
Trial 2
25
20
16
10
53
Trial 3
25
13
16
28
30
Trial 3
25
19
17
12
58
Average
25.00
13.00
16.33
28.67
29.67
Average
23.67
19.00
16.33
10.67
59.00
Length
3.5 cm
4.5 cm
5.5 cm
6.8 cm
5 cm
Length
4.6 cm
4.5 cm
5.6 cm
6 cm
5.8 cm
Date:
3/01/12
Specimen 1
Specimen 2
Specimen 3
Specimen 4
Specimen 5
Date:
3/22/12
Specimen 1
Trial 1
32
15
11
10
71
Trial 1
24
14
16
36
35
Trial 2
27
19
11
8
67
Trial 2
23
18
12
19
33
Trial 3
29
17
11
8
72
Trial 3
23
16
15
14
41
Average
29.33
17.00
11.00
8.67
70.00
Average
23.33
16.00
14.33
23.00
36.33
Length
3.2 cm
4.3 cm
5 cm
7 cm
5 cm
Length
4.3 cm
4.4 cm
6.5 cm
6.6 cm
6.7 cm
Specimen 2 Specimen 3 Specimen 4
Specimen 2 Specimen 3 Specimen 4
Specimen 5
Specimen 5
Average Pulse per Minute
80
70
60
Number of Pulses
50
40
30
20
10
0
12/16/2011
2/27/2012
3/1/2012
3/8/2012
3/15/2012
Dates
Specimen 1
Control
Specimen 2
Control
Specimen 3
Specimen 4
Specimen 5
Varied Light
Reduced Light
Intense Light
3/22/2012
Chi Squared
Date
2/27/2012
3/1/2012
3/8/2012
3/15/2012
Date
2/27/2012
3/1/2012
3/8/2012
3/15/2012
Date
2/27/2012
3/1/2012
3/8/2012
3/15/2012
Expected e
19
23.165
20.72
21.335
Expected e
19
23.165
20.72
21.335
Expected e
19
23.165
20.72
21.335
Specimen 3
Observed (o)
16.33
11
16
16.33
Specimen 4
Observed (o)
28.67
8.67
12.33
10.67
Specimen 5
Observed (o)
29.67
70
74.67
59
(o-e)
(o-e)2
2.67
7.1289
12.165 147.9872
4.72 22.2784
5.005 25.05003
(o-e)
(o-e)2
-9.67 93.5089
14.495 210.105
8.39 70.3921
10.665 113.7422
(o-e)
-10.67
-46.835
-53.95
-37.665
(o-e)2
113.8489
2193.517
2910.603
1418.652
〖(o-e)〗^2/e
0.375205263
6.388397367
1.075212355
1.174128193
9.012943178
〖(o-e)〗^2/e
4.921521053
9.069934168
3.397302124
5.331250293
22.72000764
〖(o-e)〗^2/e
5.99204737
94.69100907
140.47309363
66.49412819 307.65027826
Degrees of Freedom= 3
The Chi Squared value is higher than the critical value,
therefore the data is significant
Error
• Lights turned off the week of 3/26
• Inaccurate feeding methods
• Inability to obtain freshly hatched Artemia for
feeding
• Temperature fluctuations in tanks
Data Analysis
• Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic organisms
that utilize the enzyme carbonic
anhydrase(CA) to convert HCO3- to usable
CO2.
• CA concentrations are highest in host tissues,
creating the symbiotic relationship between
Zooxanthellae and Cassiopea xamachana.
Data Analysis
• CA concentrations are effected by light
intensity, water flow, and Zooxanthellae
densities.
• When these factors are altered, Cassiopea
xamachana expel 67% to 70% of their
Zooxanthellae.
Data Analysis
• Bleaching occurs when C. xamachana expel
Zooxanthellae, indicating a disruption in light
intensity, heat, water quality, or water flow. As
seen in specimen five (intense light) and
specimen four ( reduced light).
Data Analysis
• The results of the experiment have allowed
the rejection of the null hypothesis and
provides support for the experimental
hypothesis.
Data Analysis
• Experimental hypothesis: If the Cassiopeia
xamachana are exposed to decreased amounts of light, then
their activity would decrease because they derive nutrition
from photosynthetic algae on their tentacles.
• Null hypothesis: If the Cassiopeia xamachana are
exposed to decreased amounts of light, then their will be no
effect on their activity.
Specimen 5
(Intense Light)
March 1st2012
March 15th 2012
Specimen 4
(Reduced Light)
March 1st,2012
March 15th 2012
Conclusions and Applications
Conclusion & Applications
• The expulsion of Zooxanthellae reduces their
ability to effectively perform photosynthesis.
• Zooxanthellae also have a symbiotic
relationship with coral, increasing calcification
and survival.
• Unhealthy coral- decrease in marine life&
biodiversity- fisherman catch is depleted/
attraction of coral reefs is destroyed
Works Cited
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Berkelmans, R., & Van Oppen, M. J. (2006). The Role of Zooxanthellae in the Thermal Tolerance of Corals: A
'Nugget of Hope' for Coral Reefs in an Era of Climate Change. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 273, 2305-2302.
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=on&wc=on
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• Mrs. Hennings and Mr. Costopoulos
• Wendy Williams, Gerald McQuirter, Dr.
Tacoma McKnight
• Oak Park Natural Pet and Fish
• Renata Voci