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Transcript

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to test how the concentration of organic matter affects decomposition rates. Four baby carrots were weighed and then, one carrot was placed in each of four cups, two filled with normal soil and two cups filled with compost, which has a higher concentration of organic matter (Stehouwer), and then during mondays and thursdays for four weeks. The carrots in the compost decomposed faster than those in the normal soil. Hence, my hypothesis was supported, and more organic matter enhances decomposition rates.

Purpose

Materials

Testable Question: Does the amount of organic matter in the soil affect the rate of decomposition.

Hypothesis: If the soil has more organic matter, then the rate of decomposition will increase because there are more decomposes in areas with more organic matter.

Four identical quart sized Ziploc bags

60 grams of soil

60 grams of Compost

Four baby carrots

Gloves

Weighing Scale

Marker

Predictions

The carrot will decompose completely in fewer days in the compost than in soil (compost is completely organic while soil has un-organic materials in it), because compost has a higher concentration of organic matter which aids decomposition (chollak).

Carrot Experiment

Eshan Kemp

Biology Period 3

19 December 2014

Bibliography

Chollak, Tracy. "Composting." Epa.gov. Enviromental Protection Agency, 02 May 2006. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.

Stehouwer, Richard. "Soil and Compst." Epa.gov. Enviromental Protection Agency, 05 June 2007. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.

Procedure

The affect of the Amount of Organic matter on decomposition rates.

Results

1. Place one baby carrot in each of the four Ziploc bags

2. Label one bag: Control Trial #1

3. Label another bag: Control Trial #2

4. Label a third bag: Compost Trial #1

5. Label a fourth bag: Compost Trial #2

6. Fill the two bags labeled Control with 30 grams of normal soil each.

7. Fill the two bags labeled Compost with 30 grams of compost each.

8. Every Monday and Thursday for four weeks, do steps 9-12

9. Put gloves on hand

10. Take out carrot from each bag

11. Weigh the carrot by placing it on a weighing scale

12. Record in data table in the corresponding box

Weights of the carrots on each measuring day.

Data Table

The entries are the weights of carrot in grams.

Blue: Control #1

Red: Control #2

Green: Compost #1

Purple: Compost #2

W

e

i

g

h

t

(g)

Day of measurment

From least amount of time needed to decompose completely to the most, the ranking of the carrots are: compost #1, control #2, compost #2 and control #2, with control #2 never decomposing. The carrots in compost decomposed in 6-10 days. The carrot in the normal soil which decomposed (control #2) decomposed from 7-10 days.

Discussion

Our experiment supporst our hypothesis. The carrots in compost decomposed on average from 7 to 10 days, while only one carrot in normal soil decomposed, and it decomposed in 11 days. Hence, since compost has more organic mater, an increase in the concentration of organic matter leads to faster decomposition rates. This makes sense because decomposers feed on glucose, so the more organic matter (glucose), the more decomposers can thrive and thus decomposition becomes faster. An alternative explanation that the worms affected the experiment is incorrect since there were worms in one of both control and compost.

The results make sense because decomposers thrive in organic matter. Decomposers get their energy from glucose just like animals. Hence, the more organic matter (glucose) the more decomposers can thrive. Hence, since there are more energetic decomposers, food can decompose at a faster rate (Stehouwer). Hence, an increase in the concentration of organic matter leads to a higher decomposition rate.

The data showed that the carrots in compost on average decomposed in 7-10 days, faster than those in normal soil. These results imply then that in compost decomposition rates are faster, but the few trials make this conclusion shaky.

If the experiment were repeated, more trials would be done, and furthermore the carrots woud be measured daily. Furthermore, the number of worms in the compost cups would be equalized to make the trials more similar.

Another experiment we could do would be to test whether the results we obtained also work for other types of foods such as fruits or grains. Furthermore, we could investigate whether the concentrations of certain types of nutrients affect decomposition rates. Finally, we can test how the amount of worms affect decomposition rates.

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