Westminster Student Presents Research at Symposium

Felicie Reid, a senior environmental science major from North Lima, Ohio, recently presented her research, "Effects of Chlorine on Population Growth of Selenastrum capricornutum," at the 7th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland.

 Reid measured the concentration of chlorine near the outflow of a local wastewater treatment plant, and then tested to see how that chlorine affected populations of Selenastrum, an alga commonly found in soil, rivers, and lakes.  Those toxicology tests revealed that chlorine in concentrations found in natural waterways can have a severe effect on the growth of algae.  Increasing chlorine concentrations decreased Selenastrum growth.  At the highest concentrations, the populations decline significantly.

 Reid is a daughter of Keith and Cathrine Reid, and a graduate of South Range High School. 
 
 For more information, contact Dr. Ann Throckmorton, chair and associate professor of biology at Westminster College, at (724) 946-7209 or e-mail athrock@westminster.edu.

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