Daphne Panie

An analysis of natural buffer material to combat ocean acidification

Started May 9, 2025

Abstract or project description

Daphne is interested in researching how to ameliorate ocean acidification, which is expected to worsen due to climate change. Specifically, she wants to understand what the potential impacts might be in her local body of water, the Long Island Sound. She will do this through an experiment and writing a research paper to accompany it. She will use Spartina, Distichlis Iris + Juncus plants. The experiment will consist of these plants being in different aquariums. Each aquarium will be sourced with water from the Sound. Each plant will have three different conditions: one will have an acidic environment, one a control, one an acidic environment that is treated with a natural buffer (crumbled coral). She will also have a control with just Sound water. She will use a water quality tool to measure metrics like pH, temperature, salinity, etc. She will analyze the results and write a research paper to submit to journal.