Comparing Fertilizers Hania Koziol and Emma Marchetti Advanced Chemistry with Mr. Spangler

Introduction 1st Study o Research Question:  Which of the two dilutions of water mixed with digestate (1:1 or 1:4) will have a more beneficial or negative effect on plant growth? o Hypothesis:  If the Wheat berries are soaked/watered with 1:1 dilution of digestate then there will be better plant growth. 2nd Study o Research Questions:  Will Wheatgrass grow better in store-bought soil or natural soil (fines)?  What are the differences between generic brand (Vigoro) fertilizer and Algae Aqua's fertilizer (Digestate) o Hypothesis:  If Wheatgrass is grown in fines and watered with digestate then there will be better plant growth.

Background Algae Aquaculture Technology -AACT has integrated bio processors that consume waste, heat, and carbon dioxide to produce renewable energy and organic soil amendments. -Our study would be beneficial to their company o Ex. If we had different results than the study they conducted, it would be useful for them to know We took their idea and expanded into our own study o Testing store-bought fertilizer and soil compared to theirs

Algae AquaCulture Technology Process

Algae AquaCulture Technology The Greenhouse

Bioreactors and Raceways Bioreactors Algae Raceways

We conducted two separate studies 1. Independent Variables: Varying the Digestate to water ratio 1 part digestate: 1 part water and 1 part digestate to 4 parts water 2. Independent Variables: Comparing soil vs fines For each: 1:1 and 1:4 ratio, full and half vigoro, and control Controlled Variables: water (50 ml), & sunlight Dependent variable: Plant growth. We measured plant height each time we watered Procedure

We used natural light bulbs with closer wavelengths to natural light than the average light bulb Wheatberries must be soaked overnight for maximum sprouting and growing Growing Techniques

Setup Our Workspace

Setup Digestate Dilutions Wheatberries Soaking Initial Setup With Fines

Pictures of 1st Study Day 1 Day 5

Pictures of 1st Study Final Product: Day 8 1:1 1:4

Data

Conclusions of 1st Study -1:1 had higher average of growth except for two days (6 and 7) but that could have just been a measuring error. -Overall we conclude that 1:1 dilution had higher average growth and therefore is a better dilution of digestate:water proving our hypothesis correct.

Conclusions of 2nd Study -From the data we found that the Control grown in soil seemed to grow the best out of all samples. - Digestate grew better than Vigoro in Fines but Vigoro had higher height averages in store bought soil.

Improvements - Could have done another study to have more results for more accurate conclusions -We made a mistake... instead of only soaking seeds in Algae Digestate, we soaked and watered plants. By only soaking we would have saved a lot of digestate and maybe would have had different results, although it didn't seem to have too much effect as long as it was kept constant -Our data could have been collected more accurately, busy schedules interfered greatly.

Solar Testing at AACT -Concluded that at AACT there was a 50% difference in the light intensity outdoors vs. indoors (outdoors being 50% higher) -Used a light intensity meter

References "Algae AquaCulture Technology." Algae AquaCulture Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May Bergonzi, Michael. "How To Grow Wheatgrass." How to Grow Wheatgrass. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May "GE Lighting Global | Lighting Solutions | GE Lighting." GE Lighting. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May