A science fair project explores the effect of warming waters.

Background information- 

Global warming has been a worldly issue for a long time and it is progressively getting worse everyday. Our very own oceans are being harmed because of our daily actions. EPA (Environmental protection agency) states “As greenhouse gasses trap more energy from the sun, the oceans are absorbing more heat, resulting in an increase in sea surface temperatures and rising sea level.” The ocean has absorbed about 90 percent of the heat generated by rising gasses from meat production facilities. 

About the snails- 

Ocean snails strongly reject harsh temperatures as well as changing water temperatures. Snails, like any other ocean creature such as fish and dolphins, want a stable and cool water environment. Snails fall in the Gastropoda (Phylum Mollusca) scientific organism. All mollusks build their own shells, whether they live in water or on land. Snails use an organ called a mantle to secrete layers of calcium carbonate, which crystallize and harden. Saltwater snails prefer a water temperature at 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. 

Experiment/conclusion-

In conclusion to my science fair, the evidence shows that the snails in the warmer temperature tank were much less active as well as lost a significant amount of weight. My background research indicates that like most marine animals including salt water snails would be healthiest in cool clean water opposed to warm/hot water. My hypothesis was proved right from my science fair graph, showing that the snails in the cool temperature water gained a healthy amount of weight going from a small/baby snail (0.06 grams) to a healthy sized snail (0.09 – 0.14 grams). The main reason describing why the snails in the warm water lose weight and the snails in the cool tanks gain weight is because warm water drains the snails’ energy as well as prevents them from making a healthy hard shell. So, what does this mean in the real world? My little snail experiment translates to something much bigger. Whether its a dolphin, a whale, turtle, fish or any other sea creature, my experiment is proving how global warming (warm waters) is hurting animals, as well as representing the needs for us humans to change out habits to save the ocean and its habitat. 

Kalia is an elementary school student at Dunn School in Los Olivos, California.