Transcript jschumaker Effects of Metal on Grassx - SMS-HB09

Effects of Metal on
Grass
Joe Shcumaker
Abstract
This study involved the effects of unusually large amounts of Copper
or Iron or Aluminum, and whether or not they would lessen plant
growth. The hypothesis provided was that they would affect the
growth rate of the plants, with larger quantities potentially having
greater effects. It was thought that Aluminum would have the
greatest effect of the three metals, but instead had the mildest
reaction of the three. Eight categories were designated For each
metal, one plant was designated to receive ¼ teaspoon of the metal,
and another plant designated to receive ¾ teaspoon of the metal.
Different amounts were selected to determine if the amount of the
metal made a difference, or if it was merely the presence of the
metal that affected the plant. At the end of the two week period, it
became clear that Copper had the most significant effect of the
three metals, with iron having the least effect and the ¼ specimen
for it even equaling one of the controls in height on the last day.
The control was about ½ in taller than the ¼ categories averaged,
and about 1 ½ in. taller than the ¾ categories averaged.
Review of Literature
Aluminum prevents root growth in plants. Grasses
such as wheat have developed a resistance to
aluminum. Copper also affects the roots and is often
introduced by industrial waste, or by organic matter,
such as rotting leaves. Iron has the same affects, but
also causes a darkening in the leaves, and is typically
found in soil that has not been aerated and with high
acid levels. The most important sources were “The
effect of copper toxicity on the growth and
morphology of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) in
solution culture” and the Michigan state university
extension.
Question and Hypothesis
If ¼ tsp. Iron filings are introduced to a small plant pot
while seeds are growing, the plant will be smaller in
height. If ¾ tsp. of Iron is added, the same symptoms will
occur, but more severely. If ¼ tsp. of Copper is added,
then the plant will develop a slightly dented height similar
to Iron, with ¾ tsp., the effects will be the same but, again,
more severe and, if done in the wild, made more resistant
to infections due to Coppers anti-germ properties. If ¼ tsp.
of Aluminum is added then the plant will acquire dented
growth, and the effects for ¾ of a tsp. of Aluminum will be
the same but more severe.
Experimental Design
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Materials List
1 tsp. of Iron filings
1 tsp. Copper filings
1 tsp. Aluminum filings
8 small pots
One 20 oz. bag of dirt
One large bag of grass seed
Pots after first week
 Constant Variables: Soil, water, temperature
 Manipulated Variables: Presence of Metals, metal types
 Resulting Variable: Growth
Procedure
1. Get ¼ tsp. for each category, and ¾ tsp. for
each category.
2. Mix the ¼ tsps in their respective pots, and
do the same for the ¾ tsps
3. Plant one tsp. of grass seed for each pot
4. Water each pot with three tablespoons of
water each day for two weeks, collecting
height data everyday
5. Analyze data after the end of the two weeks
DAYS
DAYS
Overall Data
Iron 1/4
Iron 3/4
Copper 1/4 Copper 3/4 Aluminum 1/4 Aluminum 3/4 Control 1
Control 2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
1
1
1.5
1
0
1
1.4
1.5
6
3
2.5
3
3
1.5
2
3.5
3
7
4
4
4
3.5
3
2.5
6
5.3
8
5.5
5.5
5.5
4.8
4.3
3.3
7
6.4
9
7.4
7
6.5
6.5
6
4.6
9
8.6
10
9
8
8.3
8
6.6
5.6
10.6
10.2
11
10.5
9.7
9.2
8.4
8.5
7.3
11
10.3
12
11
10
9.5
8.8
9
8.5
11.2
10.5
13
11.5
11
9.6
9
11
9.5
11.4
11.2
14
11.6
11.2
9.8
9.2
11.3
9.7
11.6
11.3
1/4 Metal Average
3/4 Metal Average
Control Average
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
5
0.83
1
1.45
6
2.5
2.5
3.25
7
3.67
3.33
5.15
8
5.1
4.53
6.71
9
6.63
6.03
8.8
10
7.97
7.2
10.4
11
9.4
8.46
10.65
12
9.83
9.1
10.85
13
10.7
9.83
11.3
Overall Chart
Effects of Metals on plants
14
Iron 1/4
12
Copper
1/4
Aluminu
m 1/4
Iron 3/4
Height in CM
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Days
10 11 12 13 14
Copper
3/4
Aluminu
m 3/4
Control
1
Control
2
Averaged Chart
Averaged Heights
14
12
Height in CM
10
8
1/4 Metal Average
3/4 Metal Average
Control Average
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14
Conclusions and Future
studies

Metals do have a significant effect on plant growth, specifically
copper. The results supported the hypothesis completely, with the
presence of metals clearly stunting growth, doing it even more in the
larger quantities of metals. The lack of growth in the experimental
categories may have been due to the metal preventing the roots from
absorbing water from the soil, slowing growth.

Metals do have a significant effect on plant growth, specifically
copper. The results supported the hypothesis completely, with the
presence of metals clearly stunting growth, doing it even more in the
larger quantities of metals. The lack of growth in the experimental
categories may have been due to the metal preventing the roots from
absorbing water from the soil, slowing growth.
Bibliography
 "Iron Basics." Spectrum Analytic Inc. Spectrum Anaylitic. Web. 14
Dec. 2009.
http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/Fe_Basics.htm
 "Iron." MSUE Portal. Web. 15 Dec. 2009.
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/modf1/05209708.html
 Rehm, George, and Micheal Schmit. "Copper for Crop Production."
University of Minnesota Extension Home Page. University of
Minnesota. Web. 14 Dec. 2009.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/DC6790.ht
ml
 Sheldon, Anna. "The effect of Copper toxicity on the growth and
morphology of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) in solution culture."
The Regional Institute. The Regional Institue LTD. Web. 15 Dec.
2009.
http://www.regional.org.au/au/asssi/supersoil2004/s3/oral/1519_she
ldona.htm