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Recognizing visible and recurring changes in the artificial water bodies in our city, under the supervision of Kutay Icoz, we developed and established the basis of our project, PhytoChain. Phytochain is a project covering two main global problems, acidification and the use of chemical fertilizer. Our organization endeavors to reduce the presence of carbonic acids in rivers and lakes by employing a natural process facilitated by the digestion of ammonium nitrate by phytoplankton. Through a meticulously crafted approach, we leverage the inherent capacity of phytoplankton to assimilate ammonium nitrate, converting it into organic matter (5). This transformative process not only aids in limiting excess nitrogen, a prevalent issue causing acidification but also results in the consumption of carbonic acids, subsequently mitigating their harmful impact on water bodies (2). By nurturing the growth of phytoplankton, which act as nature's filtration system, we aim to restore equilibrium in aquatic environments, fostering healthier ecosystems and supporting biodiversity. We commit to harnessing this natural symbiosis to counteract carbonic acid's detrimental effects while promoting freshwater ecosystems' vitality and sustainability. Additionally, our project offers organic fertilizer sources for agricultural activities which are the remained phytoplanktons after the process of denitrification.
To discuss the idea's dynamics, storing nutrition, interaction process, and chemical residue, we consulted with aquaculture professors Deniz Yavuz and Mehmet Tahir Alp. To examine the effect of phytoplankton levels on the carbonic acid ratio of water in more detail, we conducted experiments with Professor Omer Yavuz at Dicle University, in collaboration with the Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Association that helped us to take a 15-liter water sample for the experiment from a water basin. As a result of these experiments, we determined the minimum level of phytoplankton required to clean the water and purify the CO2. Another issue we had to solve was preparing a suitable environment for phytoplankton. At this point, we aimed to find the minimum nutritional values ​​required for the reproduction of phytoplankton. Our experiments at the Hifzisihha organization, which carries out measurements such as ammonium nitrate and phosphorus in our region, gave the necessary lower limit for phytoplankton reproduction. Our findings highlighted the need for recordkeeping while also illuminating the ideal circumstances for phytoplankton reproduction as we tracked the system's performance and made modifications depending on the data gathered. Gradually increasing in size, we recorded the procedure to promote information exchange and possible duplication.