CONTAMINATION OF CONTAMINATION OF MOTOR OIL ON PLANT MOTOR OIL ON PLANT

LIFELIFESandra FieldsSandra Fields

UndergraduateUndergraduateBiology, Health SciencesBiology, Health Sciences

Tennessee Tech UniversityTennessee Tech UniversityCookeville, TN 38505Cookeville, TN 38505

Spring 2007Spring 2007

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONSmoke and other remittents from petrol and diesel engines Smoke and other remittents from petrol and diesel engines in urban India have had adverse effects on in urban India have had adverse effects on NyctanthesNyctanthes and and QuisqualisQuisqualis. (Rai and Kulshreshtha 2006.). (Rai and Kulshreshtha 2006.)Used motor oil has been noted to have altering affects on Used motor oil has been noted to have altering affects on the growth of different plants as noted to professors at Ball the growth of different plants as noted to professors at Ball State University. (Dominguez-Rosado et al 2004.)State University. (Dominguez-Rosado et al 2004.)The Noria Corporation has noted that over the course of a The Noria Corporation has noted that over the course of a day a small leak could result in the loss of 0.7L of oil. day a small leak could result in the loss of 0.7L of oil. (Barnes 2003.)(Barnes 2003.)Some plants are used to help with the clean up of different Some plants are used to help with the clean up of different kinds of contaminated soils, sludge, sediments and other kinds of contaminated soils, sludge, sediments and other kinds of contaminants. (EPA 1998.) kinds of contaminants. (EPA 1998.) Plants do participate in support of boosting oxygen levels Plants do participate in support of boosting oxygen levels in the atmosphere as well as the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. (Hamilton et al 2005).(Hamilton et al 2005).

INTRODUCTION cont.INTRODUCTION cont.

Objective: Does the contamination of motor oil on Objective: Does the contamination of motor oil on plant life does have altering affects to their growth.plant life does have altering affects to their growth.

Hypothesis: Pollution of oils by automobiles, lawn Hypothesis: Pollution of oils by automobiles, lawn and garden machinery as well other equipment and garden machinery as well other equipment decreases the growth of plant life.decreases the growth of plant life.

Null Hypothesis: No difference with the growth of Null Hypothesis: No difference with the growth of

either group of plant life.either group of plant life.

METHODS AND METHODS AND MATERIALSMATERIALS

This experiment will be done on four different types This experiment will be done on four different types of plants ranging from garden vegetables and fruits of plants ranging from garden vegetables and fruits to flowering beautiful household plants. to flowering beautiful household plants. As in India, they used plants that they found were As in India, they used plants that they found were more frequently noticed to have problems with more frequently noticed to have problems with petroleum products. (Rai and Kulshreshtha 2006).petroleum products. (Rai and Kulshreshtha 2006).These results will be monitored over a six week These results will be monitored over a six week period of time. period of time. Plants are placed indoors due to the cold climate Plants are placed indoors due to the cold climate outside so the experiment can be conducted outside so the experiment can be conducted effectively. effectively. Measurements will be taken on a weekly basis.Measurements will be taken on a weekly basis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS METHODS AND MATERIALS cont. cont.

Measurements will be collected as done by Rosado Measurements will be collected as done by Rosado et et alal., (2004) by wrapping a thread around the stem to ., (2004) by wrapping a thread around the stem to determine the girth. A metric ruler will be used to determine the girth. A metric ruler will be used to obtain other measurements as well. obtain other measurements as well. After the allotted period of time, these measurements After the allotted period of time, these measurements will be plotted on a graph and their differences will be plotted on a graph and their differences discussed to reveal changes between each group. discussed to reveal changes between each group. The average difference between the two groups will The average difference between the two groups will be seen in this graph.be seen in this graph.Five plants are placed in the experimental group as Five plants are placed in the experimental group as well a five plants in the control group, see Table 1. well a five plants in the control group, see Table 1. Visual changes will be noted as they occur. Refer to Visual changes will be noted as they occur. Refer to the data form in Table 2 for these resultsthe data form in Table 2 for these results

METHODS AND MATERIALS METHODS AND MATERIALS cont.cont.

TABLE 1. Layout of two separate groups of plants and the methods TABLE 1. Layout of two separate groups of plants and the methods that will be used on each group.that will be used on each group.

(Group 1) Control(Group 1) Control

Five plants are placed in this group.Five plants are placed in this group.

These plants will not be allowed the These plants will not be allowed the contamination of oils. They will be contamination of oils. They will be nourished normally.nourished normally.

(Group 2) Experiment(Group 2) Experiment

Five plants are placed in this groupFive plants are placed in this group

These plants will be contaminated These plants will be contaminated with motor oil during the watering.with motor oil during the watering.

RESULTSRESULTS

African violetAfrican violet

Tomato plantTomato plant

CabbageCabbage

PetuniaPetunia

Cactus SucculentCactus Succulent

Data formData form

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSIONAs As NyctanthesNyctanthes and and Quisqualis Quisqualis were used to check for were used to check for contamination, the tomato, AV, petunia, cabbage and CS contamination, the tomato, AV, petunia, cabbage and CS also revealed similar characteristics. (Rai and also revealed similar characteristics. (Rai and Kulshreshtha 2006.)Kulshreshtha 2006.)As shown by the professors of Ball University, clean motor As shown by the professors of Ball University, clean motor oil also revealed altering affects on the growth of different oil also revealed altering affects on the growth of different plants. (Dominguez-Rosado et al 2004.)plants. (Dominguez-Rosado et al 2004.)The Noria Corporation noted with their 0.7L loss in a day, The Noria Corporation noted with their 0.7L loss in a day, it only takes a small amount of contamination to show it only takes a small amount of contamination to show altering effects. (Barnes 2003.)altering effects. (Barnes 2003.)Some plants are useful to help clean up the problems that Some plants are useful to help clean up the problems that we help to cause such as oils spills and other kinds of we help to cause such as oils spills and other kinds of contaminants. (EPA 1998.) contaminants. (EPA 1998.) Plants do participate in support of boosting oxygen levels Plants do participate in support of boosting oxygen levels in the atmosphere as well as the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. (Hamilton et al 2005).(Hamilton et al 2005).

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Experimental group did show a positive result for the hypothesis.Experimental group did show a positive result for the hypothesis.

The null hypothesis was also positive with the cabbage plant. The null hypothesis was also positive with the cabbage plant.

This experiment, if carried and tested with the production of This experiment, if carried and tested with the production of plants, as well would also show a difference with the end product. plants, as well would also show a difference with the end product.

LITERATURE CITEDLITERATURE CITEDBarnes, M. 2003. “Squeezing Every Last Cent from Your Oil”. Barnes, M. 2003. “Squeezing Every Last Cent from Your Oil”. Practicing Oil Analysis MagazinePracticing Oil Analysis Magazine. . (www.practicingoilanalysis.com)(www.practicingoilanalysis.com)Bishop, J. 1997. “Phytoremediation : A new technology gets Bishop, J. 1997. “Phytoremediation : A new technology gets ready to bloom. ready to bloom. Environmental Solutions MagazineEnvironmental Solutions Magazine. May/June . May/June 19971997Dominguez-Rosado, E., M. Coughlin and, J. Pichtel 2004. Dominguez-Rosado, E., M. Coughlin and, J. Pichtel 2004. Phytormediation of Soil Contaminated with Used Motor Oil: II. Phytormediation of Soil Contaminated with Used Motor Oil: II. Greenhouse Studies. Greenhouse Studies. Environmental Engineering ScienceEnvironmental Engineering Science. 21: . 21: 169-180169-180Hamilton, R. et al 2005. Plant Biotechnology: Advances in Food, Hamilton, R. et al 2005. Plant Biotechnology: Advances in Food, Energy, and Health. Energy, and Health. e Journal USA: Economic Perspectivese Journal USA: Economic Perspectives. . (http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/ites/1005/ijee/hamilton.htm)(http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/ites/1005/ijee/hamilton.htm)Rai, A. and K. Kulshreshtha. 2006. Effects of particulates Rai, A. and K. Kulshreshtha. 2006. Effects of particulates generated from automobile emission on some common plants. generated from automobile emission on some common plants. Journal of Food, Agriculture & EnvironmentJournal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. 4: 253-259. 4: 253-259U. S. Environmental Protection Agency 2006. Impacts on U. S. Environmental Protection Agency 2006. Impacts on Species, Oil Program. (Species, Oil Program. (www.epa.gov/oilspill/impact.htm)www.epa.gov/oilspill/impact.htm)