STYROFOAM

STYROFOAM-WHITE POLLUTION

STYROFOAM-EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE USED AS A PLANT GROWTH DRAINAGE MEDIUM

PURPOSE: TO DETERMINE IF STYROFOAM CHIPS CAN BE USED AS A PLANT GROWTH AND DRAINAGE MEDIUM.

HYPOTHESIS: SINCE STYROFOAM IS INERT AND TAKES UP SPACE IN THE SOIL IT SHOULD ACT AS A DRAINAGE MEDIUM AND SOIL EXPANDER FOR PLANT GROWTH.

MATERIAL:

	5 CLEAR PLASTIC GLASSES
	POTTING SOIL
	STYROFOAM
	FOOD PROCESSOR
	GLASS TRAY TO HOLD ALL 5 CUPS
	PLASTIC WRAP TO COVER GLASSES
	BEAN AND RADISH SEEDS
	TAP WATER

PROCEDURE:

	BREAK STYROFOAM INTO CHUNKS AND CHOP IN FOOD PROCESSOR UNTIL IT FORMS FINE PELLETS (MAKE SURE YOUR PARENTS AGREE TO YOUR USING THE FOOD PROCESSOR)
	MIX 5 SOIL COMBINATIONS AS FOLLOWS

100% POTTING SOIL
100% STYROFOAM
75% STYROFOAM/25% SOIL
50% STYROFOAM/50% SOIL
25% STYROFOAM/ 75% SOIL

	SEE TABLE ATTACHED FOR CONCENTRATIONS
	PLANT 2 RADISH AND 2 BEAN SEEDS IN EACH PLASTIC GLASS
	PLACE GLASSES IN LARGER CONTAINER
	WATER WITH 10MLS OF WATER AND COVER LARGE CONTAINER WITH SARAN WRAP TO FORM A GREENHOUSE EFFECT.
	OBSERVE THE GLASSES DAILY AND NOTE ANY CHANGES

LIMITING FACTORS:

EARLY SPRING IS NOT A GOOD TIME TO GROW SEEDS AS THERE IS NOT MUCH SUN TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH.

RESULTS:

EACH CONTAINER WAS GIVEN 5ML OF WATER DAILY. PLANTS SPROUTED OR GREW IN EACH CONTAINER.

ALL CONTAINERS SHOWED EITHER SPROUTING OR GROWING PLANTS. EVEN THE SEEDS IN 100% STYROFOAM SPROUTED.

CONCLUSIONS:

ALTHOUGH THE PLANTS DID SPROUT AND/OR GROW THIS USE OF STYROFOAM HAS BEEN DISCARDED AS DISPOSING OF SOIL WITH STYROFOAM IN IT PRESENTS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM.

I WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER TO SEE IF d-LIMONENE CAN BE USED TO TREAT THE SOIL TO REMOVE THE STYROFOAM WITHOUT

SOIL/STYROFOAM MIXING CHART

CONCENTRATION	SOIL	STYROFOAM	WATER
100% SOIL	1CUP	0	20ML
100% STYROFOAM	0	1 CUP	20ML
25% STYROFOAM/ 75% SOIL	¾ CUP SOIL	¼ CUP STYROFOAM	20ML
50% STYROFOAM/ 50% SOIL	½ CUP SOIL	½ CUP STYROFOAM	20ML
75% STYROFOAM/ 25% SOIL	¼ CUP SOIL	¾ STYROFOAM	20ML

TAYLOR HETT

GRADE 8

A.L. MATHERS ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY

ELECTRONIC SCHOOL

SOIL/STYROFOAM MIXING CHART

CONCENTRATION