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Six tide pools were analyzed for effects in two treatments, one treatment served as a control with out black trash bag covering and one with. The purpose of this study is to determine if light influences dissolved Oxygen dioxide and pH  levels in tide pools.

Introduction:  

Tide pools can be considered a unique and relentless environment for the organisms which live within them. Tide pools are in a constant state of flux from incoming and outgoing tides. Nutrients, sunlight and wave action all contribute to the varying conditions in these rocky shallows that span the coastline. This field study was designed to isolate dissolved oxygen dioxide and measure the various ph levels associated with each of the randomly selected tide pools. Water samples were taken  in a natural Light  and darkness simulated manipulation. (via trash bag covered)

Material and Methods:

• Water testing kit-

• ·       ibutton-

• ·        Black trash bags-

• ·        Water sampling bottles-

  Upon arrival to Canoe Beach six tide pools were randomly selected along the easterly shore of Canoe Beach. Water sampling was taken on the following dates, Sunday September 28 ~ 3:30- 4:30 pm, Wednesday November 12, ~2:30 - 4:00pm, and Friday November 14, ~3:00- 4:45 pm. The initial September sampling was done without manipulation. The samples attained the second week of November were sampled twice on each date; without manipulation and with manipulation. The trash bag manipulation was intended to simulate darkness by limiting the ability of the resident organism of the tide pools  to absorb/photosynthesize light and record the subsequent effects in pH levels if any. The ibutton was placed in each pool to determine exact temperature at time of sampling.

Results:

The samples were tested using a regression analysis, the finding were insignificant  for dissolved Oxygen 0.549508(P-value Microsoft excel2003), and the  pH 0.234123(P-value Microsoft excel2003). There was however was some hope  comparison when we looked at the data in graph form.  Detailed below are a series of bar graphs which represent mean and standard error for the  six tide pools on each of the given dates.  The best insight was achieved by  calculating the difference between the dark treatments for each of the two days. This gave some signs that we may be heading in the right direction.

Although our P-values  for dissolved Oxygen and pH were insignificant the importance of  light can not be overlooked. the photosynthetic properties of a tide pools depend on many  environmental factors. It is true autotrophs like algae as well as  abiotic factors shape  tide pool ecology and our world as a whole. Factors like algae concentrations will vary from pool to pool producing more Oxygen Via the photosynthetic electric transport chain. Photosynthesis is dependant on a  light and dark reactions.  As from the sun interacts with photosynthetic material , water  donates electrons producing Oxygen dioxide, Adenosine triphosphate and NADPH, in the light reactions. These products are used in the Carbon fixation cycle or  dark reactions to convert carbon dioxide to sugar molecules for  growth and development. The release of Hydrogen ions is what ultimately leads to the increase of pH. One possible reason for the negative values in the graph (Blue) above where due  to the fact that it was a beautiful sunny clear day. The second day of treatment was extremely cloudy and overcast, already limiting  the light availability to be photosynthesis by the organisms residing in the pools. If we could just have mother nature cooperation, we may find some definitive data.