Tidepool # 7 at Race Rocks

In May 2004, the biology class measures the abiotic factors in Pool 7.

Jen with the salinity probe.

 

The most striking feature about this tidepool is that since it is at such a high level on the intertidal, in the heat of summer, there is evaporation which concentrates the salinity into a saturated solution even beyond the range of measurement on the salinometer. Even in that high concentration as can be seen in the following picture, a green algae lives among the salt crystals

 

Salt Crystals with algal growth form in Pool7 in the summer

 

Some ideas to consider:

Tidepools 7and 8 are situated very close together, differing only in a few centimeters in elevation. The salinity and temperatures of the pools may vary however. It might be worthwhile to document these variations and propose some explanations for the variation.