Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have finally decided on a project to do. I am going to use algae and micro-organisms to bioremediate CO2... but I still have questions.
1. What algae would I use and where would I purchase it?
2. After i have all the materials and start the project, how would i measure how much co2 was absorbed?
3. How would i come up with a hypothesis?
All information and advise is greatly appreciated.
THANKS!!!

Hi,

You can purchase a lot of organisms such as algae from websites like Carolina Biological Supply (note that Science Buddies does not endorse or vouch for the quality of Carolina, but I have personally used them and have been happy). Their website is here: http://www.carolina.com/?s_cid=ppc_gl_c ... 5wod3S3GMA

As for what you should purchase, do some background reading--but realize that you may need to just go with whatever species is available to you.

Here is a post from the AAE forum where experts weighed in on potential methods for measuring CO2 changes: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... 96&start=0 .

You come up with a hypothesis by doing background research and then using it to predict what you believe will happen in your experiment. Science Buddies has more about your hypothesis here: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... esis.shtml .

Read those and then post back if you still have questions. Good luck!

Thanks so much for all of that info, do you know of any other websites for purchasing bacteria? The one you gave me didnt have what i was looking for.
Thanks again!

Bioremediation sounds like a great idea!
Here is a website I found that also sells a wide variety of algae: http://www.ecogenicsresearchcenter.org/products.htm
In addition, you can also just search "purchasing algae" on any search engine like google and you can find a list of websites that sells algae products for experiments like yours...Here is one such list of algae that you might consider buying: http://www.google.com/search?q=where+to ... cbc44b8016

Also the best way to measure CO2 levels are with a sensor that can detect CO2 levels in a closed, sealed environment (like in a sealed container, etc.)
Here is are some examples of such sensors: http://www.google.com/search?q=where+to ... 31a31a18e9
Some of these sensors are really expensive but you don't necessarily need those ones so I recommend just buying the cheapest ones you can find which should work fine for your project...

All the best and feel free to post any more questions/comments/concerns!

Thanks for thaose sites, it has helped.
THANKS!!!

Do you know of any other websites, mabey some that have a large selection of algae able to be purchased (preferably one with co2 consuming algae)?

Hi K-Rock,

It looks like you have two threads going for the same project.

In your other thread, I suggested that you ask laboratories near you that utilize CO2 consuming algae. You can also try contacting laboratories that are not close to where you live, if none of the ones near you do this kind of research. A lab is a good place to start, and they might even give you some samples for free!

Hope that helps...

Heather