Examining the Effects of Altered Water Quality on Sea Urchin Fertilization Success and Embryo Development

As a result of shifting marine environmental conditions caused by global climate change and localized water pollution, marine organisms are becoming increasingly exposed to changing water quality conditions. For example, they are exposed to more extreme salinity fluctuations as a result of heavier rainfall, melting polar caps, or extreme droughts. Additionally, polluted coastal runoff into near-shore marine habitats has become more prevalent, carrying contaminants such as fertilizer from farmland or golf courses and other manmade harmful chemicals. At the Marine Science Research Learning Center at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, we focus on teaching hypothesis-driven and inquiry-based labs to stimulate students' scientific thinking and to increase interest in the fields of marine biology and environmental science. In this lab, we raise awareness of marine pollution and allow students to experiment with the consequences of reduced water quality on sea urchin fertilization success and early embryonic development. The labs consist of three sections: (1) a preparatory literature research and group discussion; (2) hands-on hypothesis-driven science activities; and (3) evaluation, data analysis, and scientific writing. In this article, we discuss background information on water quality changes and sea urchin fertilization, thoroughly describe the three components of the lab, and discuss possible alternatives to the lab's implementation.