Based on Our Aquaponics Graphs, the documentation of data such include :
- Ammonia Levels (NH3)
- pH Levels
- Hardness and Alkalinity Levels
- Nitrate/Nitrite Levels (NO2 and NO3)
The rise and drop of Ammonia levels in our tank demonstrated the deviation from homeostatic conditions. In this aquaponics post, we were able to look further into how the Ocimum basilicus of this experiment contributed to getting back to homeostasis in positive or negative feedback loops. The stimulus for negative feedback loops was determined to be the high ammonia levels due to overfeeding the fish. When too much food was being processed, digested, and excreted as ammonia, there was too much in the tank.Feeding the fish too much creating high levels of ammonia in the take, which usually is toxic to Carassius auratus when it reaches levels of 3.5 parts per million.This also makes the water more acidic. The roots of the plants then sense the change in ammonia levels by way of water pump. The ammonia transporters located in the plasma membranes of Ocimum basilicus uptake the ammonia present in the water, and use it to facilitate plant growth. As this ammonia is taken up and processed, the plant send back alkaline minerals and oxygen. This then helps water return to homeostatic conditions by creating a more neutral pH level.
When setting up the Trouter Space experiment, we set the initial population number to 5 Carassius auratus per tank. Due to the initial placement of the fish, the fluctuations in pH and ammonia levels were easily adapted to. This is because as time goes on, Carassius auratus are able to adapt to previously exposed fluctuations. However, at one point in our experiment, one specimen died. This was posted in our Accident Happen posts of another week. When purchasing a new specimen, we realized that the transition would not be easy. The limiting factor of fluctuated pH levels led to something called “ New Fish Death Syndrome”, which occurs when a fish is introduced to a tank wherein pH levels are below or above 2 or 3 levels than the fish is used to. This then causes the fish to go into shock, and changes in behavior occur such as death.
When compared to data placed in the Aquaponics Post #6, the AP Biology students were able to assess the fitness of the organisms and predict future functionality. In the data tables, the deviation of data was prominent after the Accidents Happen Post. Due to the overflow from another tank, our Ocimum basilicus were so extremely affected that new specimen had to be installed. As predicted, the plants did not thrive and did not develop due to the previously existing biological system. Our prediction for the development of the organisms in their previous pH and ammonia levels were deemed to be negative. This is because the pH levels went from 8 (alkaline-like) to around 6 (acidic-like). The plants were not growing successfully, which meant that the ammonia making the water more acidic could not be taken up and processed, while the fish could not receive more nutrients from the plants. Therefore, the failing biological system led to the predictability of a stressed or eventually dead Carassius auratus.