A comparative study of epilithic periphyton in Mackinaw Marina and its Outer Bay.

Abstract

The purpose of my study was to determine the effects of pollution (caused by the presence of a marina) on epilithic periphyton. Algal communities were surveyed and studied in two separate sites: in the marina and in the outer bay. Algal diversity and relative abundance were recorded to determine differences in the two communities. My hypothesis consisted of two components: 1) Algal diversity in the marina (v. the outer bay) would be decreased due to an increased amounts of pollutants in the water and 2) Certain algal genera would be more prominent in the marina because genera able to survive the conditions (which other genera could not survive) would thrive with the lack of interspecific competition. My hypothesis was invalid. I found that algal diversity was increased in the marina; and that certan algal genera were not prominent in the marina, but were prominent in the outer bay.