|
|
|
Researched by Brendan H.
|
|
The purpose of this experiment was to determine to what degree the chosen liquid automobile toxins would affect the growth of the Bean Plant (Phaseolus Polgaris.)
I became interested in this idea because I know that if automobiles do not change, they will pollute the earth to a very serious degree.
The information gained from this experiment could lead automobile manufactures
to produce less toxic substitutes for the liquids chosen to use for their
automobiles.
HYPOTHESIS
My first hypothesis is that propylene glycol will affect the sprouting of the bean plant the least.
I base my hypothesis on information gathered from World Book Encyclopedia volume 8, year 1998, article "Glycol," on page 273. "Propylene glycol is a nonpoisonous type of glycol that is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and even foods." I also base my hypothesis on information gathered from the web site http://www.sierraantifreeze.com/benifet.html
My second hypothesis is that the liquids containing petroleum will affect the sprouting of the bean plant the most. I base my hypothesis on information gathered from World Book Encyclopedia volume 15, year 1998, article "Petroleum," on pages 330-334.
EXPERIMENT DESIGN
- The constants in this study were:
- The type of bean plant that was used
- The type of plastic bag in which each plant sprouted (zip lock bag)
- The size of the plastic bag each plant grew in (3.78-liter bag)
- The paper towel type in each plastic bag
- The amount of paper towel in each plastic bag
- The type of water given to each plant
- The water pH that was given to each plant
- The amount of water given to each plant
- The temperature that the plants sprouted
The responding variable was the percent of bean plants that sprouted. To measure the amount that sprouted, ever other day for two weeks the different groups were counted.
MATERIALS
| QUANTITY | ITEM DESCRIPTION |
| NA | Water |
| 3.78L | Antifreeze with propylene glycol |
| 1892 ml | Pennzoil motor oil |
| 3.78L | Unleaded regular gasoline |
| 3 | 50 ml graduated cylinders |
| 1 | paper towel roll |
| NA | Bush bean seeds |
| 16(have extra) | Ziplock bags that are 945 ml |
PROCEDURES
| I. Pre experiment Preparations | |
| 1 | Get supplies on supply list |
| 2 | Organize on the table like a graph; list the "Y" axis with the percentages of pollutant used: 1ppm (Parts Per Million), 10ppm, 100ppm, 1,000ppm, and 10,000ppm. List the "X" axis with the toxins used: gasoline, motor oil, and antifreeze (also label one extra grid for control group (see diagram 1.) |
| 3 | Label 16 plastic bags each with their toxin and their parts per million. |
| 4 | Put two layers of paper towels in each bag |
| 5 | Make solutions by mixing 50 ml water with gasoline, motor oil, and antifreeze in these ratio's:1ppm, 10ppm, 100ppm, 1,000ppm, 10,000ppm. |
| 6 | Put 5 bean seeds in each bag. |
| 7 | Make sure that beans are visible |
| 8 | Put the bag in appropriate square. |
|
II. Start Experiment |
|
| 1 | Pour 50 ml of solution in appropriate bag on any Monday of any month on any week (1ppm of antifreeze solution in |
| 2 | 1ppm antifreeze bag, 10,000 ppm of gasoline solution in 10,000 ppm gasoline bag, etc.) |
| 3 | If paper towel is not damp enough pour more of the solution into the bag until damp and record new amount. |
| 4 | Keep sprouting temperatures from 21 celsius-29 celsius. |
| 5 | Record amount that sprouted on every other day start this on Tuesday of the week you planted(also record amount that sprouted and died |
| 6 | Repeat step number 2,4 for two weeks. |
| III. Post Experiment Procedures | |
| 1 | Measure plants roots and record. |
| 2 | Record data collected on computer |
| 3 | Dispose of solutions safely so no pollution happens. |
RESULTS
The original purpose of this experiment was to determine to what degree the chosen liquid automobile toxins would affect the growth of the Bean Plant (Phaseolus Polgaris.)
The results of the experiment were that the bean plants sprouted the most with gasoline than any other toxin. The motor oil group though produced longer roots. The group with the least amount of growth would be the control.
CONCLUSION
My first hypothesis was that propylene glycol would affect the sprouting
of the bean planting the least. The results indicate that this hypothesis
should be accepted. The bean plants sprout rates closest resembled that
of the control were as the plants with petroleum grew by far the longer
roots than the other plants which is unusual because it’s a toxin.
My second hypothesis was that the liquids containing petroleum will
affect the sprouting of the bean plant the most. The results indicate that
this hypothesis should be accepted. The bean plants sprout rates were not
normal compared to the control. The lengths of the roots were longer than
the control probably because it provides some minerals that water doesn’t.
The results of this experiment were not expected though. The reason
being that the bean plants with toxins grew more than the control. The
reason for this is that the toxins also have nutrients in them vital for
plant growth. It remains anonymous though that if later the plants with
toxins would die earlier than the control and if an animal ate them if
they would get sick.
These findings should be useful to scientist who studies the effect
of toxins on plants. Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder
if the temperature or the pressure would affect whether or not the sprout
rate would be different.
If I were to conduct this project again I would let the plants grow
for a longer period of time, I would use more toxins, I would let them
experience different types of pollution at the same time, and I would make
the environment more realistic to the conditions of the pollution. Also
I would have more bean plants in a group with a second and third trial.
Top of page