Educational activities

​

The problem was being investigated because many commercial products contain phosphorus, which contributes to algae growth in our water bodies. In this experiment, equal amounts of algal culture was mixed with four different brands of toothpaste: 2 phosphate containg and 2 non phosphate containing) in water. There were five tubes for each of the toothpaste brands. They were left to sit by a window for fourteen days. After the fourteen days,  green discoloartion was measured on a color scale. Algal count was also measured through use of micrscope and 1 drop of each solution on a slide.  There was a noticeable difference in the green discoloration and the amount of algae seen under the microscope. The tubes with the phosphate containing product contained the most algae.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​