Dinoflagellates question

[runnergirl109]

I have a student who really wanted to do the Ocean Bioluminescence project you have explained online. She purchased 2 different cultures and neither one showed any results during testing. The science fair is next week and she does not have time to start over. We are no going with the idea that the cultures must have died, but we are not sure why. I have been looking online for some help, but can't find anything to tell me why (scientifically) these cultures would have died during shipping. Any thoughts on this or where to look for an answer a 7th grader could understand?
Thank you - Sara Stewart

[Administrator note: Project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ian-rhythm ]

[Administrator note: Please make sure you do follow up with the source the student purchased from to see if there are any options. We link to two sources in the materials. Carolina, you might notice, has this warning: "Note: Bioluminescent dinoflagellates may not bioluminesce upon arrival; they may need a week or more to recover bioluminescent ability after being shipped." -- I'm not sure if that may have something to do with what your student experienced or not. There is also some helpful information about the fact that the shipping process may disrupt the cycle in the Care Sheet. https://www.carolina.com/teacher-resour ... tr41209.tr ]

[amyCC]

Hi Sara - We can't guarantee what may have happened or if something did happen during shipping. We hope you do follow up with the source you (or the student) purchased from.

Please note that Carolina has some information that may be relevant:
"Note: Bioluminescent dinoflagellates may not bioluminesce upon arrival; they may need a week or more to recover bioluminescent ability after being shipped."

There is also some helpful information about the fact that the shipping process may disrupt the cycle in the Care Sheet. https://www.carolina.com/teacher-resour ... tr41209.tr

Amy
Science Buddies