Can Antacid Tablets Improve Soil Damaged by Acid Rain?

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective is to determine if the antacid TUMS helps the plant spinach growing in soil affected by acid rain recreated by drain cleaner containing 93% virgin sulfuric acid. Methods/Materials Four spinach plants are planted in four pots filled with soil. One pot contained soil affected by acid rain, one pot contained soil affected by acid rain and antacids, one pot contained soil affected by antacids and one pot contained unaffected soil. Over time, It was recorded how much each plant grew. Results Spinach growing in soil affected by acid rain grew the most, but also looked shriveled and unhealthy. The spinach growing in soil affected by acid rain and antacid, turned out healthier with smooth, green leaves. Conclusions/Discussion My theory is that spinach growing in acid rain grew the most in size because the soil it was growing in had a soil pH in the range of spinach#s soil pH preference. Spinach has a pH preference of 6.0 to 6.5. When sulfuric acid was added to the soil of a pH of 7.0, the pH fell into that range of pH preference. Seeing that the effects of acid rain did not show up in the pot with acid rain and antacids, antacids clearly eliminated the effects of acid rain.

Competition history

• CSEF 2006 Environmental Engineering · Entry S0818

Resources

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