Effects Of Copper Sulfate Lab Report

This experiment is performed to test how Daphnia react when exposed to differing levels of copper sulfate so that we may understand what effects it has on underwater organisms. One possible hypothesis is, if the levels of copper sulfate in their environment rise, more of the Daphnia will die because copper sulfate is toxic. Daphnia are members of a collection of small crustaceans that are commonly called water fleas that are commonly found in small lakes and ponds. They reproduce through parthenogenesis, only creating male eggs once food becomes scarce. They eat algae, bacteria, and yeast. They also develop and reproduce quickly, making them ideal for testing the health of an aquatic ecosystem. They rely on the sugars that they obtain from

One error that was made during the experiment is that the Daphnia would be shaken as the petri dish was moved around. The table the petri dish was lying on would also be bumped while the experiment was being performed. If the experiment was performed again, it could be ensured that the petri dish containing the Daphnia is securely fastened in a static location where it would be unable to be shaken. Doing so would ensure that their environment is disturbed the least amount possible, which would keep the Daphnia from becoming stressed. This, in turn, would give the most accurate possible data as to the lifespan of Daphnia in different concentrations of copper

The daphnia tended to die more quickly in higher concentrations of copper sulfate, which shows that the compound has negative effects on the aquatic life in the area where it is used. Due to the inherent toxicity of copper, the compound could harm humans through the water supplies in which it is used if the compound is not properly filtered out. The daphnia’s heart rate tended to increase over time, showing that the change in their environment causes them stress, which would only make them die more quickly. While some may say that our water that copper sulfate doesn’t come to affect humans because we don’t live in the water that the compound is used in, this statement is false because copper sulfate can enter our bodies when we consume affected organisms, which can cause harm to people more and more over time. Overall, copper sulfate is a risky compound. It should not be used as an algaecide in ponds and water