The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide (6%), Humic Acid (6%), and Decaying \u3cem\u3eHordeum Vulgare\u3c/em\u3e on \u3cem\u3ePyrocystis Fusiformis\u3c/em\u3e Growth and Bioluminescence

Algae are producers for many ecosystems, providing nutrients and energy necessary for an environment. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) wreak havoc on environments and recently, the frequency of HABs has increased. Blooms of Pyrocystis fusiformis, a type of bioluminescent algae, can quickly become toxic, affecting tourism and aquatic environments. The purpose of this experiment was to narrow down properties that allow Hordeum vulgare to inhibit algae growth, without affecting P. fusiformis bioluminescence. It was hypothesized that the combination of chemicals from barley would prove most effective at inhibiting algal growth. It was also hypothesized that the use of hydrogen peroxide would cause Pyrocystis fusiformis to bioluminesce most frequently. The algae was exposed to 3 mL of hydrogen peroxide, humic acid, and barley extract for twenty-one days. Then, frequency of bioluminescence (FoB) was observed and growth was recorded by dry massing the algae. The hypothesis claiming that hydrogen peroxide would result in the largest number of bioluminescent occurrences, was supported, F(3, 116)=216.8311, p\u3c0.00001. The second hypothesis predicting that barley extract would suspend algal growth the most was not supported. Nevertheless, the null hypothesis could be rejected, F(3, 116)=107.4650, p\u3c0.00001, as no statistical difference was found between the trials. While all the independent variables suspended algal growth, hydrogen peroxide did not significantly alter the frequency of bioluminescence in Pyrocystis fusiformis. The components and mechanics of hydrogen peroxide should be studied further in order to develop a beneficial method to suspend algal growth