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Antifreeze and Algae Science Fair ProjectsAntifreeze and Algae Science Fair Projects Explore the Growth Impacts of Manmade Chemicals
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Super Science Fair Projects :: Microbiology :: Water / Soil Microbes ::
Discover the intriguing impacts |
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Algae Growth
Algae growth is dependent on several things. They require light, water and nutrients. When one of these factors is contaminated or altered, the growth rate is impacted.
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of water pollution (antifreeze) on the survival rate and growth of algae.
I became interested in this idea when my old fish tank became coated with algae. I was going to use bleach and soap on it, but my mom said that if I put too much in and didn’t wash it out well enough then it would kill my fish. So I wondered if certain types of pollution that people dumped into the sea or oil that came from ships would affect the growth and survival rate of algae.
The information gained from this experiment could help beneficial algae grow more efficiently and keep workers from polluting the water. Also it would help scientist know if oil or other pollutants would affect the growth and survival rate of algae.
Find out what unforseen creatures are in your life
My first hypothesis was that as the antifreeze had more time in contact with the algae, the less the dissolved oxygen level would be.
My second hypothesis was that ethylene glycol would have more effect than the other pollutants and would decrease the dissolved oxygen level most.
I based my second hypothesis on information that I got from a 2005 science project, “Effect of Antifreeze Type and Concentration on Soybean Growth.” The conclusions stated that ethylene glycol affected the growth of soybeans more than propylene glycol.