Science experiment Project

1. EFFECTS OF OIL SPILL ON ACQUATIC PLANTS

2. Hypothesis
The Hydrilla (aquatic
plant) in the beaker,
with a layer of oil on
the surface, will not
be able to perform
photosynthesis and
will stop producing
oxygen.

3. Prediction
Sinceoilisnotsolubleinwater,its
presenceonthewater’ssurfacewill
blockthesunlightandpreventoxygen
fromreachingtheHydrillaplant.This
willpreventtheplantfromproducing
photosynthesis.Duetothelackoffood
andoxygentheplantwilldie.

4. Content Statement
Key Words: Organic fluid, Density, Soluble, Oxygen,
Hydrilla, Photosynthesis, Absorption.
Science Concept:
•Organic fluid –Oil is an organic fluid, usually flammable and
insoluble in water.
•Density –The density of water is its specific gravity, i.e. is weight of
the water per its unit volume depending on the temperature of the
water.
•Soluble –the substance that dissolves in water.
•Photosynthesis –is the process of converting light energy to
chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar.
•Absorption –undissolved oil from water which separates the water
from oil and blocking the oxygen to pass through it.
•Oxygen –an important part of the atmosphere, and is necessary to
sustain most terrestrial life as it is used in respiration.
•Hydrilla-a species of aquatic plant.

5. Content Statement
•How It Applies:
Oilhindersthegrowthoftheplantstoa
greatextent.
Itblockstheairsupplyandsunlight,
thus,makingitimpossiblefortheplants
tocarryoutphotosynthesisandmake
food.
Intheabsenceofphotosynthesis,plants
failtogerminateandhence,thegrowth
stops.
Plantsarenotabletotranspireandmost
ofthemdie.

6. Variables
Manipulated Variable:
Oil on the surface of
water.
Constants:
The size of hydrilla plant,
the size of the beaker,
the amount of water and
the size of the test tube.
Responding Variable:
Amount of oxygen in the test
tubes.

7. Materials
-2 Hydrilla plants (of
approximately
equal size)
-2 beakers
-2 test tubes
-2 funnels
-1 liter of water
-1 ruler
--45ml of engine
oil

8. Procedures
1.Fill up each of the 2 beakers with 1200ml of water then place one
Hydrilla plant inside each beaker.
2. Next, invert the funnels and place them over the Hydrilla plants in
the beakers. The plant should be positioned inside of the funnel.
3. Fill the 2 test tubes up with water and place them over the outlet of
the funnels. *Make sure there isn’t any air inside of the test tubes.
4. Pour 45ml of engine oil into one of the beakers.
5. Observe the amount of air collected in the test tubes to determine
the level of oxygen produced by the Hydrilla plants. To do so, use
a ruler to measure the height of the oxygen in the test tubes (by
centimeters).
6. Record observations every hour for the next 5 hours.

9. Data
Manipulated
Variable
12 345 totalaverage
(mean)
With Oil00 000 0 0
Without Oil0.50.5111.54.50.9
*The average is the amount of oxygen in each test tube measured in
centimeters over a period of 5 hours.

10. Data
Manipulated
Variable
medianmode range
With Oil
0 0 0
Without Oil
1 0.5, 1 1

11. Graph

12. Results
#of Hours Amount of Oxygen (Centimeters)
1 Hour Plant w/oil 0 Plant w/o oil 0.5
2 Hour Plant w/oil 0 Plant w/o oil 0.5
3 Hour Plant w/oil 0 Plant w/o oil1
4 Hour Plant w/oil 0 Plant w/o oil1
5 Hour Plant w/oil 0 Plant w/o oil 1.5

13. Conclusion/Real World Application
About half of the 700 million gallons of oil that
are estimated to enter the ocean every year
are from run-off. Improper handling of used
motor oil is a hugepart of this percentage.
More often than not, motor oil that isn’t
properly disposed of ends up in our oceans
and waterways. Water pollution not only leads
to poor water quality, destruction of habitats,
and loss of wildlife, but it also poses a major
health risk to society.
http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Effects_of_Oil_Spills

14. Conclusion/Real World Application
bpclaims.info
Scientists are still assessing the effects
of the estimated 170 million gallons of
oil that flooded into the Gulf after the
explosion of BP's oil rig in April of 2010.
Thousands of birds and marine animals
were found injured or dead months
following the spill. The BP oil spill
covered over 100 miles of the Gulf,
completely destroying underwater
ecosystems, coral reefs, and aquatic
plant life along the way.
“These types of disasters limit the
growth principle of ecological and
environmental systems, restraining the
species in their natural habitat, their
supply of food, water and other
essentials for their survival...”
—livinggreenmagazine.com

15. Narrative Diary
•March 13
th
-Began discussing experiment ideas with lab partners and browsing
the science folders and the internet for ideas
•March 20
th
-Emailed Dr. Joseph with our idea
•March 22
nd
-Received the okay to begin project
•March 29
th
Began shopping for supplies and reading up on the experiment
Located test tubes and beakers.
April 3
rd
Consulted with group, split up the responsibilities of the project
April 5
th
Discovered that test tubes did not fit over purchased funnels and funnels
did not fit inside the beaker
April 5
th
Went shopping for new supplies, purchases smaller funnels, glass
containers, bigger test tubes and aquatic plants
April 5
th
Did experiment…no success sanded down the edges of the funnel to get a
better seal with test tube
April 5
th
-Moved experiment out to the sun, was able to log results
April 5
th
-Confirmed hypothesis