The Effect of Acid Rain On Plants|
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The Effect of Acid Rain On PlantsBy: Amy, Tya, Susan & Jessica
Professor Hays Cummins
WCP 121/123 Section F
Research Questions:
• How will different concentrations of acid affect the growth and appearance of bean plants?
• At what rate will each group of plants deteriorate?
• What is the ideal acidity of liquid for the bean plants to thrive?
• How does this relate to acid rain in our environment?
Hypotheses/Predictions:
• If we conduct our experiment by the process described below, then the concentration of the acid used to water the plant will be inversely proportionate to the height of plant growth; also, the higher concentrations of acid will cause the leaves to turn yellow or be smaller than the leaves of the plants that have been treated with lower concentrations of acid.
• If we conduct our experiment by the process described below, then the plants' rate of deterioration will depnd on the concentration of the acid within water; the plants treated with the higher acidic pH levels will deteriorate more quickly than those with lower pH levels.
• If we conduct our experiment by the process described below, then we will find that the ideal acidity of water for the bean plants we tested will be between 5 and 6.
• If we conduct our experiment by the process described below, then we will see that the acidity of the local rainfall is detrimental to the area plant growth.
In this research experiment, we plan to determine the ideal acidity of water for plant life. After finding this value, we will compare it to the average pH of local rainfall to determine the possible damage to the local plant growth. Knowing the ideal and actual levels of acidity could potentially be helpful in planning for future landscape additions and solving current problems in the terrain.
This research is interesting to our group because of the possible future uses of the results. We are all concerned about what kind of environment we, and our families will have in the future. Knowing the acidity of local rain can help determine a solution for the problem. We were also interested in this project because the members of our group enjoy working in the greenhouse. This project provides an opportunity for us to explore working with plants in a controlled environment.
Background Information
Our research on acid and its affect on the growth of bean plants can be related on a larger scale to acid rain and its impact on our environment. In what seems to be a small part of environment, acid rain is a huge contributing factor to the harm of ecosystems. Acid rain is generally made up of acidic gases that have dissolved in rain- water. Nearly 70% of acid rain consists of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Rain-water usually has a pH level of about 5, but it can be lowered to 4 or even 3 due to the acidic gases in the environment. These gases are generally the pollutants of energy companies and other highly polluting sources in our environment. Almost everything in our environment is affected because of acid rain. Lakes and rivers lose fish populations due to the acidity of the water. The nutrients in trees are dissolved such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Buildings, especially those that are limestone, are affected by acid rain. People too are affected by acid rain because of everything that happens to other aspects in the environment. Drinking water is one of the things that has been affected by acid rain as well. Due to its prevalence, many things have been done to prevent acid rain. Large companies have taken actions to monitor their amount of pollution that enters the atmosphere and people have turned to alternative energy uses to reduce the problem.
Our research on acid and its affect on the growth of bean plants can be related on a larger scale to acid rain and its impact on our environment. The following articles provide some information on this environmental hazard.
(1) Effects of Sulphuric Acid on the Deterioration of Carbonate Stones and Surface Corrosion - This article is about the effects of sulphuric acid, the main component of acid rain, on other parts of the environment. The study found that the acid rain caused some erosion of rocks in the surrounding area.
(2) Relationship Between Precipitation Chemistry and Meteorological Situations - This article is about a study done in Spain concerning the effects of acid rain on ancient ruins. This is article is helpful to our study because it clearly defines different categories of acid rain, providing clear definitions of the specific pH required to constitute each classification.
(3) The Canadian Acid Rain Strategy - This article is about public policy concerning acid rain post-2000. Canadian officials are trying to work with the United States to write laws and regulations regarding the emission of sulphur dioxide, the main pollutant causing acid rain.
(4) Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Pinus densiflora: Inhibition of NetPhotosynthesis by the Pheophytization of Chlorophyll - This article provides information on how acid rain affects the process of photosynthesis in the Pinus densiflora. The acid reduces the rate in which the plant photosynthesizes due to the increased amount of chlorophyll.
(5) Soil Calcium Depletion Linked To Acid Rain And Forest Growth In Eastern U.S. - This article discusses the impact of acid rain in soil throughout the eastern United States. Calcium has been depleted due to amounts of acid rain. As a major component in soils, calcium helps to neutralize the acids
from acid rain, but in turn it has been significantly decreased due to the rain. Sugar maples and red spruce trees have been most affected by this depletion of calcium in the soil.
(6) Effects of Acid Rain on Soil Humic Compounds - In this study, a natural soil was treat with acid rain until a soil pH of 4 was obtained. The study found that soluble organic compounds were released as a reslt of their simulated acid rain.
(7) The Acid Rain Differential Game - This is a research paper that introduces a game about acid rain. Participants have to control the levels of sulphur dioxide emitted with respect to surrounding countries. This article is helpful to our study because it shows the importance of environment awareness toward other countries.
(8) Relationship Between The Acidity and Chemical Composition of Rainwater and Climatological Conditions - This study was conducted along a transition zone between large deserts and Mediterranean climate in Israel. It discusses the variance in the pH of the acid rain collected during several consecutive winters.
(9) Recovery from Acidification - This article discusses the effects of ammonium sulphate and sulfuric acid, with pHs of, on soft water environments. The artificial rain solutions used in the study affected the plants growth. The addition of ammonium sulfate increased the rain's acidity decreasing plant life. Plant life decreased with the addition of ammonium sulphate in the artificial rain and increased with the addition of sulfuric acid.
(10) Effect of Cropping Systems on Soil Chemical Characteristics - This article emphasizes soil acidification and discusses causes of soil acidifcation other than acid rain. Legumes are capable of raising the acidity of soil, increasing the pH value.
(11) Impact of Chemical Composition of Legume Residues - This article further discusses the negative effects of legume residues in soil. The legume residue assists in the accumulation of acid in soil. The article also talks about the impact of initial soil pH on pH change of a soil after residue incorporation.
(12) Light and CO2 Effects of Simulated Acid Rain - This article refers to the increase in acidity that decreases the rate of photosynthesis specifically in bean plants. The increasing levels of acid in the soil and production of excess Hydrogen decrease the rate of photosynthesis.
(13) Oxidative Stress and Some Antioxidant Systems in Acid Rain-treated Bean Plants - This study is very much like the study that we plan to do. These participants used another type of acid, H202, to treat their bean plants. They also studied immediate effects on appearance and soil composition.
Several websites on this topic are also available:
(1) Acid Rain Backgrounder - Provides information on the formation of acid rain. Pure rain's pH is between 5.6 and 5.7, but due to carbonic acid in the atmosphere due to excessive carbon dioxide emissions, it is usually more acidic. Other pollutants that cause acid rain are sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
(2) Acid Deposition Formation - This article explains that acid in the atmosphere can be transferred several miles away before infiltrating rain. It also gives examples of the things that cause the pollution, such as coal burning, the smelting of metal sulfide ores, volcanic eruptions and organic decay.
(3) Air Quality Planning And Standards - This page gives basic information about the Clean Air Act of 1990. It explains the purpose and effects of it. It also tells readers that acid rain is not the only problem - acid snow, dew, fog and mist also cause lakes and rivers to become more acidic.
(4) Damage From Acid Rain Pollution Is Far Worse Than Previously Believed - This page talks about the effect of acid rain in forests. It says that acid rain affects trees much in the way that a weakened immune system would affect a human. Thus, routine stress or disease can cause these trees to die.
(5) Acid Rain's Effect On Plants And Wildlife - Aside from basic acid rain information, this site tells a little about it's history. The term was coined in 1872 by a Scottish chemist, Angus Robert Smith. The problem has been of public concern since the 1960's, when fishermen noticed the declining fish population across North America and Europe.
Specific Research Design
We plan to grow 90 bean plants and test the effect acid has on the growth and appearance of these plants. We will then relate the previous result to the effect acid rain has on the environment. We plan to collect rainwater and test the pH level of the precipitation.
The 90 bean plants will be used to construct a data table that we will use to discuss the results acid rain has on the environment. We will divide these 90 plants into five separate groups. Each group will contain 18 plants. Group One, the control group, will be watered with distilled water with a pH of 7. The remaining groups will be watered with different mixtures of acid and distilled water to attain the desired pH; Group Two will receive the mixture with a pH of 6; Group Three will receive the mixture with a pH of 5; Group Four will receive the mixture with a pH of 4; Group Five will receive the mixture with a pH of 3. Sulphuric acid will be used to make the different solutions. Each group will be watered twice a week with their specific solution. The volume of the solutions will be the same; they will be premeasured so any member of the group can apply the solutions. The plants will be measured twice a week on the days that they are watered. The same person will measure to ensure accuracy. Along with measuring growth, photographs will be taken weekly to note the physical changes that result from the different concentrations of acid. The results of each group will then be compared to the control group of plants.
All five groups of plants will also receive fertilizer weekly. Fertilizer will serve as another control of an extraneous variable because if fertilizer was not present, all of the plants could show signs of stunted growth due to a lack of proper nutrients. The plants will be watered and measured for a total of six weeks. This time period will be long enough to show accurate results after the water/ acid mixture was continuously given to the plants.
After calculating the amount of acid to add to the distilled water to obtain the desired pH, we will test the solutions by using pH test strips. The plant group that shows the most growth and healthy appearance will in turn show what the ideal pH of water for bean plants is.
This design will ensure that we answer all of the specific research questions. We will find the ideal pH of soil. However, we will also study the effects of acid rain by relating our data to a natural environment. We will use measurements and photographs to study the individual results of an acid/ water mixture on plants.
Materials & Methods
We will need the following materials for our research project: