The Effect of Detergent Powder and Tap Water to the Operculum Movement of

Fishes

Introduction:Water pollution is a major global problem

that continuously affect the people, plants, organisms specially to the marine life, concerning on their health and population. Pollutants are rampant in different bodies of water due to the direct disposal of wastes from communities. Overview, our research is about a small version of this situation.

The operculum of a bony fish is known as the the hard bony flap that cover and protect the gills. It plays an important part in the breathing mechanism. Opercula are vital in obtaining oxygen. They open as the mouth closes, causing the pressure inside the fish to drop. Water then flows towards the lower pressure across the fish’s gills lamellae, allowing some oxygen to be absorbed from the water.

Problem:

Does the regular tap water and water containing detergent affect the operculum movement of a fish?

Hypothesis: H1: There is a significant effect between the tap water and the water containing detergent to the operculum movement of fish.

HO: There is no significant effect between the tap water and the water containing detergent to the operculum movement of fish.

Materials:

• 2 Beakers

• Detergent Powder

• 2 Gold Fish (any aquarium fish)

• 1 Graduated Cylinder (Optional)

Procedure:1.The materials required

for the experiment were gathered.

2.Each container was labeled “Container A” and “Container B” respectively.

3.700 mL of water was poured in each beaker.

4. 1 fish was placed in each beaker having the 700 mL tap water content.

A B

5. 10 grams of detergent was measured with the use of a Graduated Cylinder.

6. 10 grams of detergent was poured in Container B.

7. The operculum movement of both fishes in each container is observed until 10 minutes.

Results/Observations:Container and

Water ContentMinutes/Seconds Observation of the

operculum movement of the

fish

Container A – Tap Water

30 seconds Normal State (regular flapping of the

operculum)

7 minutes (420 seconds)

Normal State

8 minutes and 20 seconds (500

seconds)

Normal State

Container B – 10mL detergent powder

30 seconds The operculum movement became more slow compared to the normal flapping at the same time, the fish is waggling.

7 minutes (420 seconds)

The operculum movement of the fish became very slow where the fish started to struggle and lose its balance.

8 minutes and 20 seconds (500

seconds)

The operculum movement of the fish slowly stopped. The gills turned slightly reddish and the fish eventually died.

Discussions: The Operculum of the fish inside Container A

remains at a regular movement since the water does not contain any components which block the Opercula of the fish and hinder the normal operculum movement of the fish.

In Container B, in which the 10 grams-detergent is poured in the water, the fish’s Operculum movement became much more slower compared to the normal movement because the contents of the detergent that is poured in the water entered inside the Operculum and blocked the opercula, which is known to be the vital part of obtaining oxygen inside the fish, increasing the fish’s possibility to die.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the group has concluded that one of the factors that affect the operculum movement of a fish is the contents found in the water it lives in. In this case, adding a detergent soap makes the fish’s operculum to cause abnormalities leading the fish itself to death.

References:

http://www.biology-resources.com/fish-01.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operculum_(fish)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution

Authors (Group 1):

Zerda, Bhea Jessa N.

Pabas, Bianca Gabrielle D.

Arlan, Mary Ivie C.

Jamera, Bruce Yves C.

Sol, Harold V.