The objective of this experiment was to determine what nitrate concentration and pH would provide the most optimal growth for algae. In order to determine this, algae from the American River was taken and grown in solutions with different concentrations of nitrate, and H+ ions. It was hypothesized that the algae would grow best in solutions with neutral pH levels or solutions with high nitrate concentrations. Different amounts of sodium nitrate were added to beakers with similar amounts of water and algae in order to create environments with varying concentrations of nitrate. Different amounts of NaOH and acetic acid were added to beakers with similar amounts of water and algae in order to simulate environments with varying pH levels. This experiment was conducted in order to determine how fertilizer runoffs affect algal growth. Fertilizer run offs carry nitrate ions into rivers and lakes, which cause algal blooms to form. It was hypothesized that as the concentration of nitrate increases, the growth rate of the algae would also increase. This is due to the fact that the literature supports the idea that as nitrate is added to rivers and lakes the number of algae present increases. The results from the experiment demonstrated that the most optimal concentration of nitrate in the water for algal growth was in between 1-2 Molar and that the most optimal pH for algal growth was in between 7-8.

his research focused on the physical characteristics of Corbicula flumenia, an invasive species of clam found in the American River, and how these characteristics give it a possible survival advantage over native clam species of the river. Clams were collected from the American River and dissected, while river water and soil samples were also collected. The water and soil were analyzed for levels of coliforms such as E. coli, since this could be a food source that gives the Asian Clam an advantage over native species. The Asian clams were analyzed for their feeding efficiency of E. coli compared to algae and also compared for anatomical differences to the native species by measuring cirri size, which could increase feeding rates within these clams, giving them a competitive edge over their native competitors. It was found that there was much E. coli in the water and soil, but no significant correlation was found between clam cirri size and feeding rate. The Asian clam’s DNA and protein expression was analyzed for genetic mutations that contribute to the species’ invasive advantage.