RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

NAME Thomas Evans

PROJECT
SUPERVISOR(S)
COLLABORATION WITH OUTSIDE BODY
Biotechnical companys
Plymouth University
The Environmental agency
Mainhead aquatics
Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs
River office


TITLE/RESEARCH TOPIC AREA

Observing the effects of common marine pollutants (A commonly found agricultural fertiliser and an organic
pollutant e.g. cattle feces) on the totipotent ability of a sample species of Porifera, the Orange Fan sponge
(Axinella bookhouti).



AIM OF RESEARCH


To understand the effects some pollutants can have on an Orange Fan sponge totipotent ability. As well as
gaining a first-hand knowledge of keeping a species of sponge and recording a sponge going through
totepotancy. I hope for this to lead to further projects at a honours degree level and hopefully in to possible
future work with relative companys/ organisations in biotechnology, water quality, pollutants, agriculture.


UNDERLYING RATIONALE


The background for study is to gain a further understanding in to two fields of possible progression, firstly to
understand and gain first hand experience of a Porifera totipotent ability in full detail throughout each stage;
then to understand if commonly found marine pollutants can have an effect on the species while it is going
through totipotency. Secondly is to try to further understand the two pollutants when introduced to the
marine environment highlighting the effects they will have on water quality and whether there are differences
between them.


HYPOTHESIS:


An introduction of a common fertiliser and an introduction of cattle feces to separate enclosed water systems
both housing parts of an Orange fan sponge that has been broken down to cellular level will cause problems or
stop the totipotent ability of the Orange Fan sponge regenerating.


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Measure the quality, rate and speed of regeneration of an Orange Fan sponge. I will measure this by
recording physical measurements and weights before they are broken down to a cellular level,
Physical records of measurements will then be taken daily and weight measurements less frequently.
Observe whether introducing marine pollutants change the water quality and the ability of the species
to regenerate. This will be measured by comparing the two tanks with pollutants in to the control tank
with pristine conditions.
Observe the differences between the 3 tanks during regeneration, these differences will be noted and
recorded.
Observe and record the health of the species throughout the project. This will be done by recording
visible signs of their health.



METHODOLOGY

This experiment will be taken out firstly by holding and growing the species of Orange Fan sponge.
Throughout they will have measurements and detailed recordings taken. They will then when stable be
separated and cut in to bits before being pushed through a syringe with a sieve at the end to break them down
to cellular particles (all processes are to happen under water). They will then be equally separate in to three
different tanks with identical pristine water quality and a good flow and introduction of food. One tank will
then have a relative amount of common agricultural fertiliser introduced to the enclosed system. Another tank
will then have a relative amount of cattle feces introduced to the enclosed amount. The other will be left in
pristine conditions. Records will then be taken daily of differences and growth in each tank. All processes will
happen within the lab and over the space of about 3 months depending on regeneration time.




EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS ANALYSIS

My Project will be recorded by taking three documented data before putting enforcing totipotent but after
splitting in to three segments for the three separate tanks. These three records are size measurements, weight
measurements and visible records of the quality of each segment of the species. This is a mix of quantitative
and qualitative. They will be represented in two different ways, for size and weight measurements they will be
presented by either bar charts, scatter graphs or column charts. For the qualitative data it will be recorded in
an excel format with the possibility of using a pie chart to represent results.


EXPECTED CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS

There are no strong limitations, one is the materials needed what can be ordered in and are not hard to find
online or locally; these materials are, the pollutants and the syringe/ sieve. Then there will be three separate
tanks needed and the basic equipment to run them. Saline water will be needed what can be made up in the
lab. Space will be more available when the new labs are open after reading week.



PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH
The first stage is underway, the growth will take another 2-3 weeks assuring they are stable and safe. Next
will be the breaking down of the organism and separating in to separate tanks and introducing the pollutants
to the relative tanks. After that process records will be taken either until totepotancy is complete, the species
die or 6 weeks. If the process is successful and <2 weeks it could be re done. The write up will be going on
throughout the project the finished results will < 1 month to finish.


ACQUISITION OF RESOURCES
Item units cost description
Orange Fan sponge 1
0.0
0
Tank, Power head,
Filter & Heater
3,3,3,3
0.0
0
Common fertiliser,
Cow feces
100ml, 100ml
NA
Total Cost =
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COMMENTS.
SIGNED DATE.