Effects of Oil Spills on Aquatic Plants

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective is to find the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants during oil spills. I believe oil will not let the sunlight pass through and reduce the rate of photosynthesis. Methods/Materials In this project there are 2 experiments. In the first experiment, a small sprig of Elodea densa (aquatic plant) is kept in a test tube filled with sodium bicarbonate solution (CO2 source for photosynthesis). The bubbles produced by the cut end of the plant are counted. The same experiment will be repeated with 5 ml of oil on top. In the second experiment, small pieces of Elodea are kept in a funnel inside a 2 liter bottle filled with NaHCO3 solution. A test tube is inverted on top of funnel to collect oxygen evolved during photosynthesis. Another setup is made with 50 ml of oil added on top. Both setups were wrapped with foil to block the sunlight from entering through sides and left in the sun. The amount of liquid displaced in the test tube will be measured to find how much oxygen has been produced by photosynthesis. Results In the first experiment, the plant with oil on top generated less than half the number of bubbles when compared to control. In the second experiment, the plant with oil on top produced half the amount of oxygen as control. Conclusions/Discussion Both experiments showed that rate of photosynthesis is reduced by half when oil is present. Limited amount of sunlight available to aquatic plants during oil spills can cause detrimental effects to ocean ecosystem.

Competition history

• CSEF 2017 Toxicology · Entry J2201

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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