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Comparing Fertilizers. Hania Koziol and Emma Marchetti Advanced Chemistry with Mr. Spangler. Introduction. 1st Study Research Question: Which of the two dilutions of water mixed with digestate (1:1 or 1:4) will have a more beneficial or negative effect on plant growth? Hypothesis:
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Comparing Fertilizers Hania Koziol and Emma Marchetti Advanced Chemistry withMr. Spangler
Introduction • 1st Study • Research Question: • Which of the two dilutions of water mixed with digestate (1:1 or 1:4) will have a more beneficial or negative effect on plant growth? • Hypothesis: • If the Wheat berries are soaked/watered with 1:1 dilution of digestate then there will be better plant growth. • 2nd Study • Research Questions: • Will Wheatgrass grow better in store-bought soil or natural soil (fines)? • What are the differences between generic brand (Vigoro) fertilizer and Algae Aqua's fertilizer (Digestate) • Hypothesis: • If Wheatgrass is grown in fines and watered with digestate then there will be better plant growth.
Background Algae Aquaculture Technology -AACT has integrated bio processors that consume waste, heat, and carbon dioxide to produce renewable energy and organic soil amendments. -Our study would be beneficial to their company • Ex. If we had different results than the study they conducted, it would be useful for them to know • We took their idea and expanded into our own study • Testing store-bought fertilizer and soil compared to theirs
Algae AquaCulture Technology The Greenhouse
Bioreactors and Raceways Algae Raceways Bioreactors
Procedure • We conducted two separate studies • Independent Variables: Varying the Digestate to water ratio • 1 part digestate: 1 part water and 1 part digestate to 4 parts water • Independent Variables: Comparing soil vs fines • For each: 1:1 and 1:4 ratio, full and half vigoro, and control • Controlled Variables: water (50 ml), & sunlight • Dependent variable: Plant growth. We measured plant height each time we watered
Growing Techniques • We used natural light bulbs with closer wavelengths to natural light than the average light bulb • Wheatberries must be soaked overnight for maximum sprouting and growing
Setup Our Workspace
Setup Initial Setup With Fines Digestate Dilutions Wheatberries Soaking
Pictures of 1st Study Day 5 Day 1
Pictures of 1st Study 1:4 1:1 Final Product: Day 8
Conclusions of 1st Study -1:1 had higher average of growth except for two days (6 and 7) but that could have just been a measuring error. -Overall we conclude that 1:1 dilution had higher average growth and therefore is a better dilution of digestate:water proving our hypothesis correct.
Conclusions of 2nd Study -From the data we found that the Control grown in soil seemed to grow the best out of all samples. - Digestate grew better than Vigoro in Fines but Vigoro had higher height averages in store bought soil.
Improvements -Could have done another study to have more results for more accurate conclusions -We made a mistake... instead of only soaking seeds in Algae Digestate, we soaked and watered plants. By only soaking we would have saved a lot of digestate and maybe would have had different results, although it didn't seem to have too much effect as long as it was kept constant -Our data could have been collected more accurately, busy schedules interfered greatly.
Solar Testing at AACT -Concluded that at AACT there was a 50% difference in the light intensity outdoors vs. indoors (outdoors being 50% higher) -Used a light intensity meter
References "Algae AquaCulture Technology." Algae AquaCulture Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2013. <http://www.algaeaqua.com/AACT/Welcome.html>. Bergonzi, Michael. "How To Grow Wheatgrass." How to Grow Wheatgrass. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2013. <http://www.wheatgrassgreenhouse.com/growgrass.html>. "GE Lighting Global | Lighting Solutions | GE Lighting." GE Lighting. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2013. <http://www.gelighting.com/>.