Howoileffectsaplant

HOW DOES MOTOR OIL AFFECT A PLANT?By Jennifer Zhu

BACKGROUND RESEARCH

BP Oil Spillo 4 million barrels of petroleum leaked into the oceano Drilling rig exploded in the Mexican Gulf

Burned petroleum gives out emissions of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter

Sulfur Dioxide causes respiratory illnesses and heart disease

Nitrogen oxide contributes to ground level ozone, and can lead to an irritation and damage of the lungs

Particulate matter can lead to asthma and chronic bronchitis in children

PAST RESEARCH Research conducted by CSIRO (Australian

Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization)• "They can remain in the environment for

extended periods of time”

According to bellona.org• “A film of oil, like a shield, impedes the

penetration of the sun’s rays into the open water, thereby slowing the process of photosynthesis and disturbing the regeneration of oxygen reserves essential for life in the Sea”

BACKGROUND

Petroleum contains hydrocarbons, molecules made up entirely of hydrogen and carbon

Contains Sulfur, and can be classified as sour and sweet due to the amount of sulfur.

Conventional motor oil is petroleum oil pumped up from the ground-will be used in the experiment

BP oil spill leads to scientists discovering new ways to “cure plants” which had been effected by petroleum

What exactly does petroleum do to a plant?

PROBLEM & HYPOTHESIS

Does the amount of petroleum affect a plant’s height over time?

If the amount of petroleum is greater, then the plants will lose height quicker.

MATERIALS + IV, DVMaterials used:

o Pencilo Papero Coffee Plants (9)o Watero Sunlighto Motor Oilo Dropper

o The IV: The amount of motor oil put in

o The DV: The plant’s height after being infected with motor oil

o Time Span: 3 weeks

SETTING UPStep 1• Gather Materials

Step 2• Separate plants into 3 groups: Control, testing two drops, testing 3

drops

Step 3• Label plants 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A 2B, …etc.

Step 4• Measure original height

Step 5• Water plants

Step 6• Give Plants 2 days to adjust to different temperatures

PROCEDURE

Step 1:Take

Measurements

Step 2:Fill dropper with

oil

Step 3:Drop 2 dropsOnto plant 2A

Step 4: Repeat step 3

with plants 2B&2C

Step 5:Fill dropper with

Oil

Step 6: Drop four drops onto plant 3A

Step 7: Repeat step 6 with

plants 3B&3C

Step 8: Water all plants

Step 9:Wait 1 Day

Repeat whole process

REACTION TO THE CHANGE OF NUTRIENTS

Plants Original Height (cm)

Week 1 Week 2  Week 3

1A 16.5cm 16.0cm 16.5cm 17.3cm

1B 20.3cm 18.0cm 18.0cm 20.1

1C 15.2cm 14.5cm 13.0cm 13.9cm

2A 21.6cm 20.3cm 21.0cm 21.5cm

2B 20.3cm 20.2cm 22.0cm 21.3cm

2C 20.3cm 20.4cm 21.0cm 20.2cm

3A 16.5cm 20.0cm 20.0cm 19.5cm

3B 17.8m 16.5cm 16.0cm 19.3cm

3C 15.2cm 17.0cm 17.5cm 18.4cm

Key:

Plants 1A, 1B, 1C: Control

Plants 2A, 2B, 2C: Two drops added

Plants 3A, 3B, 3C: Four drops Added

HEIGHT OF PLANTS WITH PETROLEUM OVER TIME

Original Height

Week 1 Week 2 Week 312

14

16

18

20

22

1A1B1C2A2B2C3A3B3C

Weeks

Heig

ht

of

Pla

nt

(cm

)

AVERAGES

Original Height (cm)

Week 1(cm)

Week 2(cm)

Week 3(cm)

Group 1 17.3 16.2 15.8 17.1

Group 2 20.7 20.3 21.3 21.0

Group 3 16.5 17.8 17.8 19.1

AVERAGE

Original Height (cm)

Week 1 (cm)

Week 2 (cm)

Week 3 (cm)

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Group 1Group 2Group 3

ORIGINAL

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

CONCLUSION Possibility #1:The oil helped the plant to a certain extent, but too much would end up hurting the plant

Possibility #2:The given amount of time was not enough to actually show signs of petroleum-petroleum may take a long time to show it’s effects

Possibility #3: The amount of oil may need to be greater, like the oil spill

ERRORS & IMPROVEMENTS

Errors:• Overwatering the plants, suspending watering of

all plants• Measuring tape• Period of time, Environment (season-wise)• Weekly measurements

Improvements• Giving a longer time span• Using 1 measuring tool• Adding greater amounts of motor oil

FUTURE WORK

Carry out the experiment in a warmer season-preferably summer

Give the plants a longer amount of time to grow

If the plants do not show signs of any effects, a greater amount of petroleum will be added

Test to see if a specific chemical in motor oil helps with plant growth

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