Polypropylene Absorbent Pads Science Fair Projects

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of salinity on the ability of polypropylene absorbent pads to pick up oil spills.

I became interested in this idea when I learned that oil spills are a problem in society. I wanted to test whether there is a difference in fresh water or saltwater recovery of the oil.

The information gained from this experiment could help society because spilled oil is a huge and growing problem. Oil pollutes fresh water streams and lakes as well as marine areas. We need to know ways to recover spilled oil before it causes environmental damage.

PicoTurbine Windmill

Age 10 thru college

Polypropylene is a versatile polymer and is both a plastic and a fiber. As a plastic it's used to make things like dishwasher-safe food container because it doesn't melt below 160oC, or 320oF. As a fiber, polypropylene is used to make indoor-outdoor carpeting that is often found around swimming pools and miniature golf courses. It works well for outdoor carpet because it doesn't absorb water like nylon does.

HYPOTHESIS

My hypothesis was that as the salinity level increased the polypropylene absorbent pads would pick up more oil.

I based my hypothesis on the fact that saline water is denser then fresh water. So the oil would rise to the top faster in the saline water than in the fresh water. More oil on the surface might mean polypropylene absorbent pads would pick up more oil.

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

• The type of polypropylene absorbent pads
• The type of oil
• Amount of oil
• Size of polypropylene absorbent pads
• Temperature of water
• The container used to hold the water and oil

MATERIALS

Saline vs. Fresih Water Absorbency SciFair Projects continues this abstract.