Is it just me or is time running out!! I think my stress levels are way up high now. Anyway, I talked with Anil about my research, and we came to a lot of conclusions. First, I can’t use the algae I was already growing because the conditions weren’t constant. I realized that the media evaporated over the weekend, and aeration wasn’t constant. I was trying to figure out if I should use aeration or nor by comparing the growth results. However, I decided to use aeration anyway, because there is a lot of research that supports the benefits of it on algae growth.

Like I stated before, I need to start new algae growth, and hopefully I have learned from my mistakes. I am going to leave it in for four weeks and measure the biomass and oil yield at the end. I know time is running out, but I think I have just enough time.

Before starting any new growth, I am waiting to see the results I get from another small experiment, because I am testing the best light for optimal growth.  I also have another problem….. I AM RUNNING OUT OF MEDIA. The media that Josh and Matt gave me is the only one I have, and I am running very low.

Week 5

I know I haven't posted in a while. I really need to start keeping up with my blog. However, I really don't have any major discovery to inform. I have being trying to grow algae from my different sources. I realized that when I started growing my samples, I really didn't think much of finding out the optimal conditions for each algae strain. I mean the idea was to try to grow all the samples from conditions (such as pH, temperature, light, and nutrients) that were the same, and compare the biomass and oil content after a period of time. I really have to emphasize that I don't know how many and which algae strains are present in each water sample collected from four different sources.

I am starting to think that I should take a step back, and reflect on the way I am setting up my research. The good news is that I found a peer review article about a similar research project to mine. In this research, they collected various samples from ponds, and tried to evaluate the presence of algae strains useful for biofuel. However, their approach was to first find the optimal conditions for each algae strain, and then grow each strain using those conditions.

The problem with replicating the same experiment (with my samples)is that I don't have a lot of the materials and devices that they used. I might be able to replicate a part of their experiment, but I need to communicate this idea with Anil to see what he thinks.

I also have started to get a bit frustrated, because I realized that the algae samples that I have been growing have been under too many different conditions.I realized that if I want to have a solid experiment, I need to restart growing new samples.

I just need to sit down and evaluate the next step to take... WISH ME LUCK

Week 3

Honestly, it feels like this week was very unproductive. The only thing I did was add the bubblers to my algae cultures, which I wasn’t sure if I should do, because I didn’t add them from the beginning.  I was worried that adding the bubblers will add an extra variable, but I spoke to Anil and he told me we should be fine as long as I use the same conditions and time for all of my samples. Hopefully, adding the bubblers will increase growth, because so far the algae cultures have been growing very slowly.

In other news, I joined the club URSA Majors, and I am an officer. I can’t believe it!! I am grateful for the opportunity that everyone in the club has given me, and I know that it is a big responsibility. My title is “Fundraiser Liaison”, but technically I am a co-treasurer. I am going to be working with another member, and together we are going to take on the financial responsibilities for the club. I am excited!!

Week 2

A new semester has arrived, and the opportunities are endless. I have high expectations for my research project, not only because I am working alongside a PC faculty with great expertise on this subject, but also due to the fact that I am being funded by WAESO. I feel like a bunch of eyes are looking at me, and expect me to do great things. Will my project yield any decent results? Only time will tell.

                So far, I being trying to start growth from the four different water samples I have collected.I haven’t had any apparent growth, but it has only being five days! I need to be patient, and if there isn't any growth anytime soon, I will have to take a step back and analyze the problem. 

The good news is that I have set up my small algae farm (well I am not growing anything there yet). Thank you Josh, for all the help in building it. 

My miniature algal farm!!!

For the past two weeks I have been growing more algae, and researching a bit more on them. I also had the chance to talk to Tony, and I asked him a bit about the project he did on algae last semester. He gave me very helpful information. For example, he introduced me to “F2” which is an algae growth medium that he described as “steroids” for algae. However, he also told me that it is very expensive.           Last Saturday, I went to Sedona and collect a water sample (and some pond scum). I was able to look at the algae under a microscope. It looked pretty cool, but unfortunately this type of algae (filamentous algae) it not good for oil production. I am a very disappointed, because the water sample I collected were contaminated with this type of algae. I am probably going to throw them away, because growing this type of algae is not going to be helpful for my project. Image of Algae collected from Sedona

This week I just observed the growth of the algae I am growing. The algae seems to be growing well, and I will probably change the water in the containers in order for the algae to have more available nutrients.  I also started my side project on aquaponics. I started it, by cleaning a fish tank, and adding clean water. I also  added water conditioner, and introduced two gold fish. Right now, I am going to wait before I start planting anything, because I am waiting for the bacteria bloom inside the fish tank. I decided that for this side project I am going to make a comparison on growing the same type of plant in an aquaponics and in a regular garden. I thinking of comparing growth or quality of plant, but I am open to suggestions!!

My new clean fish tank

My new pets

 

 

I haven’t blogged in a while, and I have a lot to tell. First of all, I had to change my research project, and I am no longer doing it on plastic degrading bacteria. The reason for this is that I realized that I just don’t have enough time to see some good results. I also got a little discourage, because I wasn’t allowed to collect a sample soil from the Glendale Landfill. They told me that it was too hazardous.

                However, the good news is that I have started a very exciting new project. I am doing my project on selectively growing oil-producing algae. I am also trying to identify the presence of oil producing algae in lakes and ponds in Arizona. I want to growth oil-producing algae that are found naturally in our area.  I am going to do something similar to what Tony did last semester, but just take it a different route.

 I am also going to do a side project on aquaponics. Today, I had a genius idea on how to connect both projects. I have a good research question now!! However, I don’t really want to go into detail .For now, I am just beginning the process of growing my algae. I collected water samples from Encanto Park Lake and other lakes around Phoenix. I started to growth algae from those samples, and so far I have seen some growth!!