The Difference Between the Oxygen Production of an Anthocerotophyta Plant in a Acidic Rain Solution and an Acidic Rain Solution with Limestone
There is a constant struggle against the effects of acid rain. A method that can reduce the harmful effects of acid rain on the environment, more specifically aquatic plant-life, is the addition of limestone into the bodies of water. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if limestone added into a carbonic acid solution would increase Phylum anthocerotophyta's output of oxygen compared to its oxygen output when submerged in a carbonic acid with no limestone.
In this experiment two solutions of carbonic acid were prepared. Then 5 g of a limestone powder were added to one of the solutions. The plant was then placed at the bottom of both solutions and funnels were placed on top of the plant with 10 ml graduated cylinders on top of the funnels. Both solutions were then put under a heat lamp for twenty-four hours. The total amount of oxygen produced would be measured.
After collecting data, descriptive statistics and a Two Sample t-Test were run. The descriptive statistics showed the addition of limestone allowed the plant to produce a greater amount of oxygen, but there was much overlap in the data leading to believe the data was not significant. The Two Sample t-Test ran at alpha level 0.05 gave a p-value of 0.051. It was concluded that while the p-value was technically over the alpha level, the data showed enough difference to be considered significant.
Research Conducted By:
Alyssa Mularski
Sterling Heights High School
Dylan Taipalus
Warren Mott High School
Warren Consolidated Schools