Acid Rain Lab Write Up
Jared Williard
Collaborators: JP, Youjin, Madison, Bailey, Taylor, and Alex
Introduction
A lab was conducted to further understand the effects of acid rain at different levels of concentration throughout a period of two weeks. To begin, Acid Rain is a broad term to describe a mixture of atmosphere, which is either wet or dry, and higher than usual levels of nitric and sulfuric acid. Most of the sulfuric and nitric acid in the atmosphere would be considered a secondary pollutant, which means they do not get pumped into the atmosphere but instead are in the atmosphere due to a chemical reaction. Sulfuric acid specifically is from the result of the burning of coal to generate electricity. The emissions from the power plant contain Sulfur dioxide, which is a primary pollutant, which then mixes with the water vapor within the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid (EPA). Within the world today acid rain is a main cause for the acidification of rivers and lakes but also forest. In Eastern Europe, half of the forests are being damaged within Germany and Poland alone. Germany being the home of the Black Forest which has already been reduced in size due to the increase of population, however in recent years Germany has a declining population, acid rain is furthering the damage done to the Black Forest (Briney).
Hypothesis
If we take three different samples of three different plant species and then give each sample a different concentration of acid rain, then the lowest pH level for each of the plant species will be the most effected and kill those specific samples. The other two samples for the different pH levels should be damaged yet not killed like the lowest pH samples.
Parts of the Experiment
For this experiment, the independent variable was the pH while the dependent variable was the effects of the plants. Our constants were the amount of sunlight and water received, also the time period of taking care of the plants and the temperature. The control variable in the experiment was also water.
Materials and Methods
To recreate this experiment, three different plant species will be needed divided up into 3 sample group and three different pH concentrations, so that each sample has a different effect taking place. Over the course of two weeks every other day, each sample will be given its specific acid rain concentration. And every day will be given regular water. Once the two week period is completed then record and compare and contrast the difference between the different species and samples.
Data and Data Analysis
A lab was conducted to further understand the effects of acid rain at different levels of concentration throughout a period of two weeks. To begin, Acid Rain is a broad term to describe a mixture of atmosphere, which is either wet or dry, and higher than usual levels of nitric and sulfuric acid. Most of the sulfuric and nitric acid in the atmosphere would be considered a secondary pollutant, which means they do not get pumped into the atmosphere but instead are in the atmosphere due to a chemical reaction. Sulfuric acid specifically is from the result of the burning of coal to generate electricity. The emissions from the power plant contain Sulfur dioxide, which is a primary pollutant, which then mixes with the water vapor within the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid (EPA). Within the world today acid rain is a main cause for the acidification of rivers and lakes but also forest. In Eastern Europe, half of the forests are being damaged within Germany and Poland alone. Germany being the home of the Black Forest which has already been reduced in size due to the increase of population, however in recent years Germany has a declining population, acid rain is furthering the damage done to the Black Forest (Briney).
Hypothesis
If we take three different samples of three different plant species and then give each sample a different concentration of acid rain, then the lowest pH level for each of the plant species will be the most effected and kill those specific samples. The other two samples for the different pH levels should be damaged yet not killed like the lowest pH samples.
Parts of the Experiment
For this experiment, the independent variable was the pH while the dependent variable was the effects of the plants. Our constants were the amount of sunlight and water received, also the time period of taking care of the plants and the temperature. The control variable in the experiment was also water.
Materials and Methods
To recreate this experiment, three different plant species will be needed divided up into 3 sample group and three different pH concentrations, so that each sample has a different effect taking place. Over the course of two weeks every other day, each sample will be given its specific acid rain concentration. And every day will be given regular water. Once the two week period is completed then record and compare and contrast the difference between the different species and samples.
Data and Data Analysis
pH Measurements
-April 8, 2015
Acid A: pH 4
Acid B: pH 2
Acid C: pH 1
-April 10, 2015
Acid A: pH 6
Acid B: pH 3
Acid C: pH 1.5
-April 13, 2015
Acid A: pH 6.5
Acid B: pH 4
Acid C: pH 1.5
-April 15, 2015
Acid A: pH 6
Acid B: pH 4.5
Acid C: pH 3
Height per Grass Sample
A: 10.5 centimeters
B: 7.5 centimeters
C: 6.5 centimeters
When looking at the pictures above all the samples were affected in some way by the acid rain. The healthiest in our group was sample A of grass which was around 10.5 cm in height and was considered a little healthy yet when looking at the root system it was clear that some damage had taken place. However when comparing samples B and C of the grass, it was all but dead. Yet it should be noted that sample B had a drastic change in pH levels going from a 2 up to a 4.5 pH acidic. The pH of 2 could have been the reason why sample B also died along side sample C. By the time Sample B went up to a pH of 4.5 the damage may have been to severe for the grass to recover. When looking at Sample B and C, the bottom of the grass had turned into a ripe looking yellow color. Both samples were taken out of their containers to have a better understanding the damage done to the root system. When taken out of the plastic bottles Sample C of the grass and soil completely fell apart. It was noticed that the roots were no longer holding the soil intact. To see if Sample A had taken any similar impact to Samples B and C, the container for Sample A was emptied however the soil stayed intact keeping it in its familiar shape of the bottle. When comparing these findings with other group who had the petunias and marigolds, similar findings were being shown of the root system not being able to hold the soil in place. Concluding that acid rain can also affect how plants interact with the soil.
Conclusions
After looking over the data, the hypothesis needs to be tweaked a little to fit in with what the lab results put out. The hypothesis was wrong partially when it was suggested that sample B would still be considered alive but just damaged. However it was concluded as a full group that sample B and C of the grass was completely dead. The constant change for the pH levels did actually help with the experiment by adding a factor of the real world when countries do or do not put regulations on pollutants such as Sulfur dioxide. However to prevent further destruction of regions like Germany's Black Forest, new scrubber designs for coal plants and catalytic converters for cars could lead to a decrease in the pollution that is being sent into the atmosphere. While the Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxides are considered pollutants and have regulations to manage them. Steps should be taken to further the reduction of the emissions from cars and power plants. Giving places like the Black Forest, where trees are dying and being destroyed by the amount of acid rain in the region, a chance to recover.
Citations
"What Is Acid Rain?" EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 01 May 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/index.html>.
Writer, Amanda Briney Contributing. "Acid Rain - Causes, Effects, and Solutions." N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015. <http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/acidrain.htm>.
-April 8, 2015
Acid A: pH 4
Acid B: pH 2
Acid C: pH 1
-April 10, 2015
Acid A: pH 6
Acid B: pH 3
Acid C: pH 1.5
-April 13, 2015
Acid A: pH 6.5
Acid B: pH 4
Acid C: pH 1.5
-April 15, 2015
Acid A: pH 6
Acid B: pH 4.5
Acid C: pH 3
Height per Grass Sample
A: 10.5 centimeters
B: 7.5 centimeters
C: 6.5 centimeters
When looking at the pictures above all the samples were affected in some way by the acid rain. The healthiest in our group was sample A of grass which was around 10.5 cm in height and was considered a little healthy yet when looking at the root system it was clear that some damage had taken place. However when comparing samples B and C of the grass, it was all but dead. Yet it should be noted that sample B had a drastic change in pH levels going from a 2 up to a 4.5 pH acidic. The pH of 2 could have been the reason why sample B also died along side sample C. By the time Sample B went up to a pH of 4.5 the damage may have been to severe for the grass to recover. When looking at Sample B and C, the bottom of the grass had turned into a ripe looking yellow color. Both samples were taken out of their containers to have a better understanding the damage done to the root system. When taken out of the plastic bottles Sample C of the grass and soil completely fell apart. It was noticed that the roots were no longer holding the soil intact. To see if Sample A had taken any similar impact to Samples B and C, the container for Sample A was emptied however the soil stayed intact keeping it in its familiar shape of the bottle. When comparing these findings with other group who had the petunias and marigolds, similar findings were being shown of the root system not being able to hold the soil in place. Concluding that acid rain can also affect how plants interact with the soil.
Conclusions
After looking over the data, the hypothesis needs to be tweaked a little to fit in with what the lab results put out. The hypothesis was wrong partially when it was suggested that sample B would still be considered alive but just damaged. However it was concluded as a full group that sample B and C of the grass was completely dead. The constant change for the pH levels did actually help with the experiment by adding a factor of the real world when countries do or do not put regulations on pollutants such as Sulfur dioxide. However to prevent further destruction of regions like Germany's Black Forest, new scrubber designs for coal plants and catalytic converters for cars could lead to a decrease in the pollution that is being sent into the atmosphere. While the Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxides are considered pollutants and have regulations to manage them. Steps should be taken to further the reduction of the emissions from cars and power plants. Giving places like the Black Forest, where trees are dying and being destroyed by the amount of acid rain in the region, a chance to recover.
Citations
"What Is Acid Rain?" EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 01 May 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/index.html>.
Writer, Amanda Briney Contributing. "Acid Rain - Causes, Effects, and Solutions." N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2015. <http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/acidrain.htm>.