Research

The New York Harbor School is unlike any other high school in New York City. It is a Career in Technical Education (CTE) school. New York City CTE schools are intended for college and career preparations through technical course. The New York Harbor School focuses on maritime studies, from SCUBA diving to ocean engineering. Starting my sophomore year of high school, I joined the Marine Biology Research Program at school. Through the program, students are able to pursue either geographic information system work or independent research. I opted for the latter.

For the past three years, I have been working on an independent marine biology research project. The study focuses on the effects of acute chlorine exposure of the juvenile Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, growth, survival, and behavior . This project was created in response to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's release of the Long-Term Combined Sewage Overflow Plan in 2017. The plan aims to address the release of harmful bacteria, found in untreated wastewater, from entering the New York Harbor via combined sewage overflow by chlorinating in and off-line pipes leading to the waterways. Although the bacteria may be harmful, the exposure of chlorine to life may be just as- if not more- harmful at the level that is proposed to be exerted.

Phase I of my project assesses the effects of chlorine exposure on larvae growth and survival. 2,000 larvae were exposed to 10 parts per million of chlorine (same amount as proposed by DEP) and had a 100% mortality rate within 24 hours of the intended 72 hour study. The experimental group were compared to a control group in which had a 0.1% mortality rate after the three days.

Phase II of the project is similar, but instead focuses on oyster spat. The experiment is set to start up October 1st, 2018.

Click below to view my research paper.