Metagenomics

In this fast paced ever changing world, there is always a need to increase the efficiency and reduce the time required for a particular problem to be solved. Most biological experiments, apart from being time consuming, are unpredictable and difficult to maintain, which results in a wastage of resources. With the advent of computers and their increased application in many different fields of study, we can now theoretically test out the hypothesis before proceeding with the practical experiment. Computational biology, as it is termed, is paving the path towards achieving this. With the success of the human genome project, the need for biologists equipped with the ability to look at diseases from a computational and mathematical standpoint

In the academic journal written by Ronald A. MacGillivray the purpose was to find out information about the Delaware River and how polluted it is. The research was done over a four-year period to find out if lethal toxins were coming out of tributaries (MacGillivrary et al., 2011). The research was done by a sampling procedure. The researchers would go out into the field and collect samples on a weekly basis depending on the weather to see how the toxic levels in the river were from 16 different locations (MacGillivrary et al., 2011). At the end of the four years that the research was taken the results were conclusive that the tributaries that led into the Delaware River were found to be at normal toxic water level rates (MacGillivrary et al., 2011). The pollution levels found were normal with a few exceptions depending on the water content of the day (MacGillivrary et al., 2011).

Imagine an Earth devoid of clean rivers with no inland marine life or readily available freshwater. This situation may arise if humanity does not volunteer to end its polluting tendencies. Initially, each individual should focus on taking steps towards decontaminating his or her nearest water body. For those living in Delaware, this is the Delaware River, which is in need of drastic reform. “The Delaware River . . . is the fifth most-polluted river in the country, according to a report released . . . by Environment New Jersey” (Augenstein). However, this obstacle did not arise spontaneously. A recognized problem by the early eighteenth century, Delaware River pollution remained a serious issue for the next 300 years and mostly stemmed from rapid population growth and booming industrial activities (“Delaware River Water Quality”). As the years progressed, Delawareans continuously disregarded the Delaware River, and it is now immensely besmirched as a result of accumulating neglect for the river. Because of this, Delaware waters continued to befoul past the threshold of safety. Delaware waterways are currently unsafe for commercial use due to the presence of pollutants and parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium in the river that can cause significant health problems, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems (“Delaware”). The polluted Delaware River, sullied by companies despite the Clean Water Act, may cause a decline in Delaware’s’ marine life, human

Toxins in the water contribute to problems of the river because of the many times back in the day when businesses dumped their waste into the river and till today isn’t not yet cleared. Another problem of the Chicago River is that the public has to interest and don’t take any access towards the river because the river is fenced and some people still remember the awful stinky smell and the black color. The purpose of this field trip was to go test the different chemicals that are in the water and the health of it and see what can be found in it. The field trip lets people know what kind of biodiversity is around the river or in the river to see and determine the health of the river to see what contributes to what the state the river is in

The ten most abundant bacterial families detected in our study were Koribacteraceae (Acidobacteria), Acidobacteriaceae (Acidobacteria), Sphingobacteriaceae (Bacteroidetes), Geobacteraceae (proteobacteria), Auto67-4W (Pedosphaerae), Acetobacteraceae (proteobacteria),

Contaminated water poses health risks on humans, pets, wild animals, and farm animals. (Mcdermott-Levy 2013)

Mohan, Arvind Murali, Et Al. "The Functional Potential Of Microbial Communities In Hydraulic Fracturing Source Water And Produced Water From Natural Gas Extraction Characterized By Metagenomic Sequencing." Plos One 9.10 (2014): 1-12. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Mar. 2016.

Studies have shown that near shore, and in rives tributaries to the Great Lakes the PPCPs levels have a higher risk quotient. The risk quotient being the ratio of maximum measured environmentally concentration to the predicted no-effect concentration of the pollutant. Using this ratio, 38 compounds were detected from effluent or Lake Michigan samples with four compounds being detected at levels greater than 50% frequency. These compounds found at all of the sampling sites in Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee Harbor are: metformin (100%), caffeine (97.6%), sulfamethoxazole (83.3%), and triclosan (71.4%). The mean and maximum levels from the samples can be found in Table 2, along with the minimum detection limit, minimum quantification limit, and maximum value found in the method

"Drowning Risks in Natural Water Settings." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 June 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2013.

Often, toxic substances are being drained into the air, waterways, and undergrounds wells. According to the report by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 60 million pounds of deadly chemicals are produced by industries in Florida. Notably, Florida’s water has been suffering mercury contamination until the state’s department of migration issues a circular regularly for regulations of eating freshwater fish in the region (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In fact, such metals emanate from coal combustion’s emissions which run into water bodies. Not to mention, pesticides and herbicides utilized by government and homeowners pollute the environment (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Indeed, all chemicals released into the atmosphere find themselves in rivers.

The USEPA was re-authorized by the Safe Water Improvement and Modernization Act (H. R. 909; 2007) to direct BEACH Act appropriations to States and local governments for coastal recreational water quality monitoring and notification programs (Safe Water Improvement and Modernization Act, 2007). This Act also recommended that researchers study the benefits of using a molecular diagnostic technique for monitoring and assessing the quality of coastal recreational water. Specifically, to study the full range of available rapid indicator technologies and to compare the use of molecular techniques to culture-based methods. Grant awards or cooperative agreements for organizations were also authorized to assist in carrying out these

The focus of The College of Charleston Study Abroad program in Costa Rica is water quality chemistry. We will be collecting water samples throughout the local environment of Costa Rica and analyze them to understand the physical, chemical and biological processes that impact their quality. It is essential to test the quality of water to maintain a reliable and healthy source and limit any issues that would negatively influence human and environmental health. As a chemistry major and someone who aspires to someday work in the health field, it is not only important that a dependable water source is readily available for medical procedures in this country, but also that the water quality is not the cause of any health issues among the population. The course will focus on the collection and the analytical processes for determining pollutants, sources, and fixes for different water types as they impact the local environment.

Generally, DO levels in the first several samples taken near Fort Wayne, IN were higher than those at points closer to the mouth of the river. The DO level spiked from 6.49 mg/L at sample number 16 near Waterville, OH to 7.83 mg/L at sample number 17 near Maumee, OH and then to 8.13 mg/L at sample number 18 near Perrysburg, OH before dropping back down to 7.08 mg/L at sample number 19 between Perrysburg, OH and Rossford, OH, but it remained higher than the 6.49 mg/L value from sample 16 before the spike until the last sample was taken at the dock at International Park in downtown Toledo, OH (e.g. Table 1 and Figures 1 and 2).

Life on this planet began with microorganisms. Through millions of years microorganisms have found ways to successfully adapt and survive. These adaptations have created a wide biodiversity, allowing them to basically populate in all places. Why are these microbes so important? Because they shape the history of our world. Some microbes can be deathly to humans while some others are favorable, for example, bacteria that lives in the gut of both humans and animals and helps during the process of digestion (Alfred Brown & Heidi Smith, 2006). Understanding these interactions help scientists to find ways to protect humans from potential deathly pathogens. In order to observe microbes, microscope proficiency and microorganisms’ identification are crucial skills in a microbiology lab. During this laboratory session, samples of environmental and human organisms were inoculated into two different rich media and incubated to their according temperature. After this, appropriate use and calibration of the microscope was performed. Lastly, morphology and size of different species of bacteria, algae, fungi and protozoan were recorded.

DeSalle and Michael Yudell. Welcome To The Genome: A User’s Guide to Genetic Past, Present, and Future. Canada: John Wiley & Sons. Inc., 2005. Print.