Int Task 3
PURPOSE
The purpose of my experiment is to determine the effect of acid rain on seed germination. I chose this idea for a project because I have heard that acid rain is becoming a more prominent factor, around the world, due to pollution. I see reports of this in books and websites I 've visited, as well as news articles I have read.
LITERATURE REVIEW http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/soar/sciproj99/CodySciProj.html The germination test results from glass labeled “Trial 1” (100% water), and “Trial 5” (highest acid content) showed an 11% difference. The more acid contained in the water resulted in less seeds germinating. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15859434 Rice, wheat and rape seeds were treated with simulated acid rain at pH 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 levels for 7 days in order to understand the effects of acid rain on seed germination of various acid-fast plants. The germination test showed that seed germination was absolutely inhibited at pH 2.0 for three species. Rice and wheat seeds germinated abnormally at pH 2.5. When pH values above 3.0, percentage germination, germination energy, germination index, vigor index of rice, wheat and rape seeds increased in relation with decreased acidity levels. In contrast, the percentage of abnormal germination of rice and wheat decreased. The experiment data about physiological aspect demonstrated that water absorption rate, respiratory rate and storage reserve transformation rate of rice, wheat and rape seeds also increased with increased pH values.
RELEVENCE OF MY TESTABLE QUESTION
The information gained from this experiment, I believe, can show people the negative effects that acid rain can have on seed germination. This will eventually lead to large scale crop reduction, lower oxygen levels and higher amounts of atmospheric CO2 levels. My goal is to show people the repercussions of pollution.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The constants in this study were: * The type of radish seeds *
The purpose of my experiment is to determine the effect of acid rain on seed germination. I chose this idea for a project because I have heard that acid rain is becoming a more prominent factor, around the world, due to pollution. I see reports of this in books and websites I 've visited, as well as news articles I have read.
LITERATURE REVIEW http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/soar/sciproj99/CodySciProj.html The germination test results from glass labeled “Trial 1” (100% water), and “Trial 5” (highest acid content) showed an 11% difference. The more acid contained in the water resulted in less seeds germinating. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15859434 Rice, wheat and rape seeds were treated with simulated acid rain at pH 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 levels for 7 days in order to understand the effects of acid rain on seed germination of various acid-fast plants. The germination test showed that seed germination was absolutely inhibited at pH 2.0 for three species. Rice and wheat seeds germinated abnormally at pH 2.5. When pH values above 3.0, percentage germination, germination energy, germination index, vigor index of rice, wheat and rape seeds increased in relation with decreased acidity levels. In contrast, the percentage of abnormal germination of rice and wheat decreased. The experiment data about physiological aspect demonstrated that water absorption rate, respiratory rate and storage reserve transformation rate of rice, wheat and rape seeds also increased with increased pH values.
RELEVENCE OF MY TESTABLE QUESTION
The information gained from this experiment, I believe, can show people the negative effects that acid rain can have on seed germination. This will eventually lead to large scale crop reduction, lower oxygen levels and higher amounts of atmospheric CO2 levels. My goal is to show people the repercussions of pollution.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The constants in this study were: * The type of radish seeds *
References: 1) J, C. (1999). What are the effects of acid rain on germination?. Retrieved 9/9/11 from http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/soar/sciproj99/CodySciProj.html 2) Huan, J. (1995, January 26). Effect of acid rain on seed germination of rice, wheat and rape. Retrieved 9/9/11 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15859434