Microcystis-busting algae found

Ms. Khrista Maria Evangelista, a 3rd year high school student of Rizal National Science High School in Binangonan, Rizal and daughter of AQD Associate Researcher Ms. Antonietta Evangelista, found an algal species that can inhibit the proliferation of Microcystis by 50-83%.

Microcystis is an algae that secretes the microcystin toxin which is fatal to fish. It blooms seasonally on certain months in Laguna de Bay.

For this, Khrista garnered first place (Life Science Individual Cluster II) with her research report The biological control of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa using Ankistrodesmus falcatus: a preliminary study during the 2009 Division Science Quiz Fair (Region IV-A, Division of Rizal) last September 18.

Khrista thanks AQD Scientist Dr. Gilda Lio-Po “whose brilliant ideas and suggestions” led to the conceptualization of her study.