Decreased Dissolved Oxygen Caused by Nitrogen Stimulated Algal Growth

Abstract

In our experiment, the problem addressed was the possible components of sewage effluent that could be affecting dissolved oxygen. Our hypothesis stated that the increased amount of nitrogen, a component found in sewage, is leading to the decrease in dissolved oxygen content because the nitrogen contributes to the increased algal blooms, and their subsequent decomposition which leads to decrease in amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. We set up both a short term and long term experiment involving nitrogen and yeast and their effect on algae which ultimately would affect DO.