The Effects of Dispersed Oil Droplets on Daphnia pulex
Mentor 1
J. Rudi Strickler
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
24-4-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
24-4-2015 3:45 PM
Description
Oils and wax esters are compounds that store large amounts of energy in small volumes. However, they also store dissolved compounds that may be toxic. In aquatic environments, oil and wax esters play important roles for these reasons. For example, when we introduce crude oil from oil spills, plankton may suffer due to dissolved compounds that are toxic. Spilled crude oil is introduced to layers of plankton beneath the ocean surface by oil dispersants. Oil dispersants are widely used in oil spills, specifically the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It is now understood that these oil dispersants deeply damage the layers of plankton by bringing oil from the surface to layers of plankton underneath. This research is studying how exactly plankton such as Daphnia pulex are affected. Methods: The effects of dispersed oil droplets on the zooplankton Daphnia pulex were recorded using a high speed camera combined with laser holography. The behavior of Daphnia pulex in the presence of oil droplets was contrasted with behavior of Daphnia pulex without oil droplets. Results: The Dapnia pulex appeared eager to eat the oil droplets sent their way. Through a flicking motion, Daphnia pulex pulled the droplets towards themselves to capture their food. In eating the crude oil, they caused the droplets to be broken down into smaller particles. Implications: Understanding how the bottom of the food chain is affected by oil spills and oil dispersants is vital to understanding how the rest of the ecosystem will be affected.
The Effects of Dispersed Oil Droplets on Daphnia pulex
Union Wisconsin Room
Oils and wax esters are compounds that store large amounts of energy in small volumes. However, they also store dissolved compounds that may be toxic. In aquatic environments, oil and wax esters play important roles for these reasons. For example, when we introduce crude oil from oil spills, plankton may suffer due to dissolved compounds that are toxic. Spilled crude oil is introduced to layers of plankton beneath the ocean surface by oil dispersants. Oil dispersants are widely used in oil spills, specifically the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It is now understood that these oil dispersants deeply damage the layers of plankton by bringing oil from the surface to layers of plankton underneath. This research is studying how exactly plankton such as Daphnia pulex are affected. Methods: The effects of dispersed oil droplets on the zooplankton Daphnia pulex were recorded using a high speed camera combined with laser holography. The behavior of Daphnia pulex in the presence of oil droplets was contrasted with behavior of Daphnia pulex without oil droplets. Results: The Dapnia pulex appeared eager to eat the oil droplets sent their way. Through a flicking motion, Daphnia pulex pulled the droplets towards themselves to capture their food. In eating the crude oil, they caused the droplets to be broken down into smaller particles. Implications: Understanding how the bottom of the food chain is affected by oil spills and oil dispersants is vital to understanding how the rest of the ecosystem will be affected.
