Halle Mette
Research Paper- First Draft
The topic that I wish to study is the effect of UV radiation on the oxygen production of Elodea. The two variables in my experiment that I plan to study are ultraviolet radiation, and Elodea. Increased ultraviolet radiation exposure has become a significant issue as the environment’s pollution has led to long-term problems, affecting the human population and organisms living in the world, such as Elodea. In my experiment, I will discover the effects, if any, of ultraviolet radiation on Elodea. Elodea ultimately represents a large group of green (photosynthetic) plants. A depleting ozone due to a more polluted environment allows more harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun to penetrate the earths atmosphere, accessing and damaging many organisms on the earths surface. Organisms that are affected, such as Elodea, are all in synchronization with each other some how, each with a specific purpose and importance in the environment. Without many of the organisms on earth today, the human population would surely diminish. Specifically, how this ultraviolet radiation affects green plants is beneficial knowledge to the human population, because photosynthetic plants provide clean oxygen, which is absolutely necessary for our survival. Therefore, my experimental question is: how does increased UV light exposure affect the photosynthesis process (specifically the oxygen production) of Elodea? Through knowledge, we have the ability to come closer to having a greener, better taken care of planet.
Elodea is a primary producer in many water ecosystems, including lakes and rivers. It serves as prey to a wide assortment of animals, such as muskrats, beavers, and waterfowl (especially ducks). Elodea also provides shelter to many small fish, invertebrates, and amphibians, as coral reefs do. Therefore, their survival in many marine ecosystems is vital (Elodea, 2000). Brazilian Elodea is also a commercialized aquarium plant, hence existing in many parts of the world such as such as New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Denmark, Germany, France, Japan, Chile, and the United States, in aquariums, and also as a waterweed (Non-native, Invasive, Freshwater Plants, n.d.).
UV rays are invisible rays of energy produced by the sun. Though in larger proportions UV rays can be harmful in many ways to some organisms, they are also useful for humans specifically because they provide Vitamin D. The amount of UV radiation in a specific area depends on three things: the closeness to an industrial area due to the smog in the air. Industrial operations produce ozone, which absorbs UV radiation. It is thought that this is one of the foremost reasons why significant ozone depletion in the southern hemisphere has not reflected also on the northern hemisphere. Another reason for a specific amount of UV radiation in one area is cloud cover. Reduction in the amount of UV ray exposure depends on the thickness of the cloud cover. And the third circumstance of UV radiation is latitude and elevation (Sparling, 2001).
There are specific downsides to increased UV light exposure. UV radiation can cause genetic damage. DNA absorbs UV light, and the energy absorbed can break bonds in the DNA. Unrepaired genetic DNA can potentially lead to skin cancer, which is also a health risk in humans caused by UV light. A 1%decrease in the ozone layer will cause an estimated 2%increase in UV light induced skin irritation. An example of groups of people more prone to skin cancer are those from the southern states of Texas and Florida, who see twice as many deaths due to skin cancers as in Wisconsin and Montana, both northern states. This is due to increased UV exposure in southern states over northern states. Another health risk due to UV radiation, is that of the eyes. The cornea is a good absorber of UV light. High exposure to UV light has known to cause a temporary clouding of the cornea, commonly referred to as “snow-blindness”, and in chronic cases, can even lead to cataracts. But, the disadvantages of UV light are not limited to humans. Marine life has also shown suffering from larger amounts of UV light exposure. Marine plankton, which densely populate the top 2 meters of ocean water, has been greatly affecting by UV light exposure, especially in the northern hemisphere where increased UV radiation is uncommon. When exposed to larger amount of UV radiation, plankton sink deeper into the water. Unfortunately, by doing so they reduce their grown and reproduction rate due to the lack of visible light needed for photosynthesis (Sparling, 2001).
Elodea obtains food through photosynthesis, therefore getting its energy from the sun’s rays. As the earth becomes more heavily polluted, the earth’s stratosphere shows more of a decline in ozone. Therefore, more of the sun’s harmful ultra violet rays penetrate through the layer of ozone, affecting multiple organisms on the earth’s surface, causing diseases and decreases in population of assortments of organisms, especially in marine life such as algae. Health risks in humans caused by UV light include eye clouding (in extreme cases, cataracts), and skin cancer. Also important are the affects on marine life, which have shown an exceedingly low decrease in population (Sparling, 2001). So, by studying these two variables I am focusing on the effects of UV radiation, which will be representing the sun’s rays, on samples of Elodea and compare it to Elodea under regular light (without UV radiation) and determine whether or not UV radiation is harmful to Elodea, and if so, to what extent. Though Elodea is only one of the many organisms affected by UV light exposure, it in itself is beneficial to the human population because it does go through the process of photosynthesis, therefore producing more oxygen for the human population. Elodea makes an especially important difference in oxygen production because it is family to a large assortment of photosynthesizing plants, and is so commonly found in many lakes, rivers, and streams around the world. Brazilian Elodea is found in areas such as New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Denmark, Germany, France, Japan, Chile, and the United States, due to it’s popularity as an aquarium plant (Non-native, Invasive, Freshwater Plants, n.d.).
The effect of UV light on the population of Elodea is a highly beneficial question to the company of GEA. By studying these two variables I am focusing on the effects of UV radiation, which will be representing the sun’s rays, on samples of Elodea and compare it to regular light without UV radiation and determine whether or not UV radiation is harmful to Elodea, and if so, to what extent. If UV light DOES affect the process of Elodea, then the Elodea will begin to die. I predict this because algae and phytoplankton, photosynthesizing organisms like Elodea, in the northern hemisphere which are being exposed to increasing levels of UV light exposure are showing decreasing levels in population. It is possible that because both Elodea and algae are photosynthesizing, that they will have the same reaction to Elodea. This topic is a great concern to multiple scientists, because plants are one of the first links in the food chain. Variations in Elodea’s population could potentially cause greater disturbances in the balance of other life forms like small fish, waterfowl, invertebrates, and amphibians. As increased levels of UV radiation continue to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere, the food chain will be affected negatively. Also, If UV rays are harmful to Elodea, then as time went on and Elodea depleted in population, oxygen levels would as well because Elodea is so similar to other green plants and is common in many rivers and lakes. Elodea, as a common green plant, in my experiment represents a large group of photosynthetic plants. Photosynthetic organisms are necessary for human survival as through their process of gaining energy, photosynthesis, they provide organic oxygen. Ultimately, without the benefits of green plants such as Elodea, the population of human beings and other organisms which depend on photosynthesizing organisms, would fail.
AND MY BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Halle Mette
References
Elodea. (2000). Aquaplant (submerged plants). Retrieved from http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/database/submerged_plants/elodea.htm.
Non-native, Invasive, Freshwater Plants. (n.d.). Department of Ecology: State of Washington. Retrieved January/February 24, 2010, from Department of Ecology: State of Washington website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua002.html
Sparling, B. (2001, May 30). Ultraviolet Radiation. In NAS (educational resources). Retrieved from http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Ozone/radiation.html
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