Introduction:

1. Depth and light affects on abundance and diversity of aquatic microorganisms in the eastern highland rim Aaron Freeman, Undergraduate student (Marine biology concentration) department of biology, Tennessee Technological University: Cookeville, Tennessee 38505

2. Where are there more of an abundance and growth of microorganisms, in light or darker areas of the wetlands? Also in shallow or deep waters? • Objective: Collect eight different samples from the wetlands; shallow sunlit water, deep sunlit water, shallow shaded water, and deep shaded water (repeating to take an average) stating which area is most hospitable to the growth of microorganisms. • Use boat to paddle to designated areas of the water. • Use eight different pipettes to take the samples of the different areas of water. • Transfer the liquid from the pipettes to separate vials which will later be viewed microscopically. • I expect that all of my samples will put forth countless amounts of the organisms, but I believe that the greatest abundance of life will be in the shallow sunlit areas of the wetland.

3. Introduction: • Lit sited • Lit sited • Lit sited

4. Hypothesis • Sunlight is the root of all life; therefore I believe that the majority of the life will be in the sunlit areas that are shallower in depths. • Null Hypothesis: • Sunlight is not the root of all life; therefore I believe that the majority of the microorganisms are going to come from the shaded areas that are deeper in depth.

5. Methods and Materials • Extract four samples from inside the boat with the pipettes. ( repeating stepsfor an average) • Transfer contents to separate vials. • Paddle to a deeper area. • Extract four more samples with the pipettes by diving tothe bottom, one in a shaded area and one with sun light. (repeating steps for an average) • Transfer contents to vials. • Take all eight findings to the lab for microscopic testing. • Data form

6. Expected results and benefits • I expect to show that more life exists in sunlit areas of the water. • The benefits could be knowing what types of organisms are around the tested area and, if any, what kinds could possibly be biological indicators for water pollution.

7. Timeline • Timeline

8. Budget • Hypothetical budget over one year. • Budget