Surname 1

Name:

Professor:

Course:

Date:

Workshop 1: Proposed action to investigate the death of fish in small streams on southeast

Dartmoor, UK

Given the nature of feeding and the aquatic environment in which fish live in, they are

highly vulnerable to pollution and cannot easily escape the detrimental impacts brought about by

pollutants. The case of trout deaths in small streams in southeast Dartmoor, UK is an indication

of the presence of heavy metallic pollutants in the water. Fish possess the ability to concentrate

and absorb metals directly from their environment (Mance 2). Some studies have pointed out that

heavy metals have the tendency of amending the physiological activities and biochemical

parameters in blood and tissues of the fish, resulting in death or other worse conditions (Förstner

& Gottfried 4).

It is noteworthy that some metals for instance copper and aluminum are highly toxicity,

and as such are capable of causing adverse effects on fish. In the current case, the outcome of the

autopsy on the fish revealed low growth rates, skin and fins erosion, eye cataracts, and signs of

spinal deformities in young fish. The exhibited signs are indicative of metallic toxicity on the

fish.

Based on the above observable characteristics, a hypothesis can be formulated to guide

research into the cause of trout deaths in the southeast Dartmoor streams. The hypothesis for this

research is that: The death of fish in the southeast Dartmoor streams is caused by metal toxicity,

especially copper. To prove the study hypothesis, two experiments would be performed
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differently with varying concentration of copper and aluminum. The two would be selected since

they constitute highest percentages of the heavy metals in the water. The results of the findings

would then be analyzed and recommendations made. The toxic levels can then be reduced in the

aquatic environments by finding the source of pollution and stopping it instantly.

Works Cited

Förstner, Ulrich, and Gottfried TW Wittmann. Metal pollution in the aquatic environment.

Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.

Mance, Geoffrey. Pollution threat of heavy metals in aquatic environments. Springer Science &

Business Media, 2012.

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Workshop 2: Biological relevance of the experimental findings

The given data was analyzed using various relevant statistical methods. The first method

involved finding the average of the Heartbeat of zebrafish embryos during exposure to silver.

The average data revealed that as the silver concentration increased, the heartbeat decreased. The

second measurement involved the time taken for the zebrafish larvae to approach food at

different concentrations of silver. At zero concentration, the average duration is 7.17 seconds; the

time taken to approach food, however, increases as the silver concentration increased. The final

part was the measuring of Na+K+ATPase activity in zebrafish gill. From the average figures, it

is evident that the Na+K+ATPase activity reduced as the concentration of silver was increased.

Considering the outcome of the above data, some deductions can be made. First observation is

that increased in the silver concentration lowers the heartbeat of the zebrafish embryo. As the

concentration levels increase, the embryos heartbeat decreases. Secondly, the time taken by an

embryo to reach food is decreased with increased silver concentration. This implies that silver

concentration lowers their motion and abilities to move. This reduces their ability to feed and

develop faster. Finally, increased silver concentration reduced the activities of Na+K+ATPase

enzyme in the gills. This affects rates of food absorption in high concentrations of silver. This

can explain the cause of stunted growth among the fishes.

Considering the above outcome, it is evident that the presence of silver inhibits the abilities of

the zebrafish embryo to breathe, move, and absorb food into the body. As a result, most of the

embryo experience stunted growth or premature deaths. It is therefore highly essential that

significant measures be taken to reduce the concentration of such metals in water.

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Workshop 3: Paper Review

The above paper attempts to prove a hypothesis, which also doubles as the subject. The

author offers vivid illustrations and refers to some literature in a bid to expound on the topic. The

paper exhibits some strengths. One of the strengths is that there is an understanding of what the

author has done. The research methodology is clear and can be easily replicated. The research

uses the experimental approach, which implies the collection of primary data. A combination of

the literature review and the primary data offers a vivid and in-depth depiction of what the

research is about. Moreover, the paper is well -referenced, and the statistical approach used is

relevant within the context. Interpretation of the findings is well organized and seems to be

aligned with the research objective.

Despite the strengths, the author has exhibited a few weaknesses. One of the major

weaknesses is in grammar and spelling. Few words have been misspelled and used in the wrong

contexts. Moreover, certain areas are a bit jammed and not easy to follow or comprehend. Such

sentences need to be improved to enable easy understanding. In the result section, the author has

used duplicate images, which should not be the case. The results should depict original findings

of the research and not images duplicated from other sources. In addition, in the experiments, the

Zebra dish should have been exposed to the TBT earlier to increase the efficiency of the

findings. There is also no paragraph discussing the statistical analysis. This leaves the reader

with a greater burden of understanding what the paper is all about. Finally, the paper lacks

section for future studies. This needs to show recommendations on factors that future researchers

in this field need to focus on. Therefore, it is important that this paper is accepted with minor

corrections.
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Workshop 4: Letter

Dear Dr Sloman,

I wish to express my interest in the above-mentioned research position. Given my

affluent background in aquatic studies, and field research, I have complete confidence in my

ability to conduct this research. My sureness is pegged on the past experiments that I

successfully executed and the findings, which proved to be highly relevant. My undergraduate

research constitutes one of the most successful research that I did. The research was based on the

use of DNA analysis in the identification of pork species in halal foods. The outcome was

ground-breaking and proved highly significance in the preparation of Jewish meals.

The eminent threat of compound A poses a great danger not only to humans but also to

aquatic life. The estrogenic endocrine disruption ability of the compound makes it more perilous

and requiring a careful research approach. The chemicals causing estrogenic endocrine

disruption have the ability to interfere the hormonal system. As such, disruptions such as birth

defects, tumors, and cancers can result. In a bid to examine the existence and impacts of the

compound, I will engage in some lab tests such as fathead tests and sickle back tests to establish

the extent to which the compound effects is exhibited on the victims. Such tests help in

forecasting the likely impact of the compound and relevant controls to put in place. My

experience and knowledge in performing such tests make me highly suitable for the position.

Finally, I would engage some approaches in data analysis to interpret the findings of the

research. Statistical methods would also be used in analyzing the data to make the results more

compelling. Research of this nature requires a large pool of knowledge, and therefore I will

engage group work in the execution of the research. Based on the above information, I believe

am highly qualified for the position. Kindly consider my request.

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Yours faithfully