Purpose/ Hypothesis

The purpose of my experiment was to study auto body plastic filler (ABPF) and to see if it will degrade, find out how it may affect the environment, landfills, water system, soil and the degradation of other materials.

Experiment # 1

My hypothesis is that the ABPF will not degrade at all, that it will stay the same and not dissolve or break down in anyway. I predict that the metals will rust, the wood will rot, and the linoleum will break down about 20 %, however, I think that the plastic will remain exactly the same. I also predict that the dirt will change to an odd toxic odor from the chemicals in the ABPF. I think that about 30% of the dirt will turn an orange color from the rust, in some buckets. I would also think that the materials will be thickly coated in dirt and will be very dirty. The dirt in the wood’s bucket may also have mold in it from the rotting wood. I also think that the ABPF may also turn a lighter color from fading in the moist dirt and warmth. The ABPF may also start eating away at the materials as the chemicals from the ABPF seep into the materials and the soil around them.

Experiment # 2

My hypothesis is that the auto body paint will come off the materials and dye the salt water gold. I also think that the ABPF will not degrade at all. I think this because the ABPF seemed almost water resistant, like most plastics. I also predict that the salt from the water will leave a salt residue on the materials once they have dried. The materials, salt water and bucket will probably have a salty, toxic paint smell to them, once I remove them from the bucket in three months.

Experiment # 3

My hypothesis is that the soil samples from the buckets will be more acidic than the control sample because of the auto body paint.