YPIE Scientist: Ashley Daniel

Research: Comparative Nutrient Uptake Efficiency of Iris versicolor and Iris pseudacorus in Controlled Mesocosm Systems

Mentor: Erin Snyder

Research Location: Teatown Lake Reservation

Awards: Teatown Young Environmentalist Award (WESEF 2026), Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025, Somers Science Fair Participant 2024, Environthon Participant 2025 & 2026

Abstract:

Excessive inputs of nitrates and phosphates cause eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems, necessitating the need for feasible nutrient removal methods. This study examined the phytoremediation potential of native Iris versicolor and non-native Iris pseudacorus in 27 controlled mesocosms over low, medium, and high nutrient concentrations. Water quality parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll a, nitrate, and phosphate were monitored on a weekly basis, and plant growth was measured as percent height change. A two-way ANOVA showed that plant species significantly affected pH (p < 0.0001)**, DO (p < 0.005), chlorophyll a (p < 0.01), and plant growth (p < 0.0001), while nutrient concentration and species-concentration interactions were not significant (p > 0.05). I. versicolor had greater reductions in pH and DO and consistently had greater percent height change in all treatments. There were no significant reductions of nitrate or phosphate concentrations in either species, suggesting uptake equilibrium or an insufficient experiment duration to detect removal. These findings suggest that the native iris, I. versicolor, might be more robust and reliable for influencing water chemistry compared to the invasive and competitive species, I. pseudacorus. The results have provided support for I. versicolor as a promising sustainable candidate for phytoremediation in nutrient-enriched waters and indicated further long-term studies incorporating biomass and tissue nutrient analyses for better assessment of removal efficiency.

About this Scientist:   

Ashley Daniel is a senior who is currently pursuing her IB Diploma at Yonkers Middle High School. She will be attending Case Western University as a biomedical engineering major in the fall. After college, she plans to attend medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, as well as receive her masters degree in biomedical engineering to pursue higher level research with a focus on developing biomaterial-based cardiac patches to support heart tissue regeneration post-myocardial infarction.

Presentation Slides