Corncob (Zea Saccharata) as an Effective Crude Oil Adsorbent than Coir

Alija May P. ApegoIX Curie

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Research 2

Agusan National High SchoolA.D. Curato St., Butuan City

Mrs. Marie Lou S. Paler

July 23, 2015Chapter 1IntroductionIn this study, the purpose is explained. It consists of importance, hypothesis, the problem, limitations, and the variables.

Background of the StudyOil spills are environmental disasters (Dave & Ghaly, 2011) currently destroying bodies of water where marine lives are at stake. Oil spills are liquid petroleum hydrocarbon released to different bodies of water due to human activity. The unintentional or negligent release of used gasoline solvents, crankcase lubricants by industries and individuals (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015) and pipe-line vandalization (Ndimele, 2010) may also be classified as acute anthropogenic sources of oil. (Wang & Stout, 2010) The oil spill is a problem for the livelihoods of the population who depend on fishing and tourism. (World Organization et al., 2013)Statement of the ProblemThis study aims to identify if corncobs can help decrease oil spills in polluted bodies of water in the community. It answers the question: Is a corncob, on its natural state an effective adsorbent for oil spills in polluted bodies of water?

Statement of the HypothesisYes, corncobs on its natural state can be an effective oil adsorbent or has potential to decrease the amount of used oil from contaminated bodies of water.

Significance of the StudyThe outcome of the study may be an implication to help communities whose bodies of water are contaminated by used oil. The corncobs being experimented to be as an adsorbent may decrease current or possible oil spills from bodies of water where factories or industries are being planted on have no proper waste disposal. It may also help ensure the protection of public health and marine life.

Scope and Limitations of the StudyThe research and experiment is only limited to corncobs on its natural state an oil adsorbent. It does not include corncobs with floating devices, wrapped in its husks, cooked, or without kernels. Also the study is limited to contaminated bodies of water, specifically on oil spills. To have an accurate observations, the experiment was done three times with precise measurements. Conceptual Framework

Dependent Variables

Corn Cobs adsorbs oil Petroleum is less toxic Intervening Variables

Water current Amount of Oil Weather

Independent Variables

Corn Cobs Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbon Salt Water

Review of Related LiteratureVarious studies related to corncobs as an absorbent for oil spill have been conducted so for many of which are partly similar to this study. The Gulf Study was conducted on June 2010 as a feedback after the explosion of the Deep Water Horizon drilling Rig, resulting to the most devastating oil spill in the United States. The Gulf study aims to determine both physical and mental effects (Sandler, 2010) and the long-term effects. (Petri, 2015) Both studies are gathering information as a benefit for the public to be more aware of the dangers of health and the environment by hazardous substances when not managed properly. (LaGrega et al., 2010)Similar studies had created solutions with the use of image processing and computer vision (Radhika & Padmavathi, 2011) such as the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) an image segmentation which is already used for medical purposes and detects floating oil on the surface (Hess et al., 2013) to permit effective satellite surveillance in the marine environment. (Bhogle & Patil, 2012) Desulphurization of liquid fuels by adsorption with the use of mineral clays (Shakirullah et al., 2012) According to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), the effects of an oil spill will depend on a variety of factors including the quantity and type of oil spilled, (Fingas, 2012) and how it affects the marine environment. The other key factors include the biological and ecological attributes of the area; the ecological significance of key species and their interaction with oil pollution as well as the time of year. (ITOPF, 2010) The similarities of the studies are that both have intervening variables, including the type of oil that has been spilled to the body of water and on how the chemical substance to be used interacts with the marine environment.Oceanic oil spills became a major environmental problem in the 1960s, mainly as a result of transporting more than 500,000 metric tons of oil. (Britannica, 2015) It doesnt look like its going to be catastrophic. But that doesnt mean theres not going to be a damage, said Pete Raimond of the University of California Santa Cruz (The Guardian, 2015)Corncobs have been used as oil absorbent after the wreckage of a ship, releasing 220,000 tons of heavy crude oil in 1978. Adria Brown, founder of Browns Company, Recovery I Inc., has developed a product cold Golden Retriever that is experimented to absorb oil from water. (Siegel, 2010) The development of the study is stated to be economical for its use of dried corncobs that have gone through a process for agricultural uses and is very useful for cleanups since it is buoyant and while adsorption occurs, it remain afloat. (Harrison, 2010) Adria Brown said she has about 34,000 tons of properly dried material to help the system of waste management (Czarnik, 2010) and the oil soaked corn cobs could either be burned for fuel or the oil from the corn cob is separated from the corn cob for future use. (Walker, 2010)In a study where the absorbents being experimented are coconut husks and corncobs, aims to compare the absorption capability of coconut husk, grounded and ungrounded corn cob and also to discover which of the absorbents is more capable and effective at removing oil from the water. The outcome indicated that the surface area is a factor in absorption. (Omoniyi et al., 2012) The difference of both the studies is that the independent variable of the study is grounded and ungrounded corn cob while the researchers variable to be used are corncobs on their natural state.An experiment was performed with crude oil and its fraction only and a mixture of crude oil and its fraction on water. The result of the study reveals that the synthetic absorbent mat absorbed oil more than the corn cob and it did not absorb water while absorbing the oil while the corn cob did. (Kelli et al., 2013)According to Fox News, in the latest oil spill, workers shoveled tar balls that were carried away for disposal. They had to be careful not to disturb populations of Westering Snowy Plovers that were in the middle of their breeding season. (Associated Press, 2015) The abundant production of aquatic organisms in aquaculture depends on its environment but those organisms live in water and the environmental problem is water quality (Boyd & Tucker, 2012) and groundwater quality (Nwachukwu & Osuagwu, 2014)An article entitled A Novel Sustainable Oil Spill Control Technology revise oil spill control techniques, its components and chemicals, and their advantages and disadvantages. (Al-majed et al., 2012) The study also suggests natural sorbents which may also be an indicator of the level of air pollution (Sandu et al., 2012) and on soil. (Gonzlez et al., 2010) The spill of crude oil affect the factors: nutrients, soil type, humidity, temperature, pH, the type and the metabolism of the microorganisms, (Pecingin & Crn, 2013) chemical properties and plant composition. (Tanee & Albert, 2015)Similarly, a study in the Philippines about a massive oil spill at the Guimaras Strait Philippines studies the effect of the oil spill on the lifestyle of the fishermen in the coasts (Aliren, 2013) and marine sanctuaries and mangrove expanses. (AGODRAOSC, 2013) The coastal villages were told to put oil spill booms made from bamboo poles and other sorbents. (Burgos Jr., 2014) Similarly, this study provides basic information about the effects of an oil spill. A report entitled Oil Spill in Entancia by the Joint United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the humanitarian response network coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), most of the spilled oil was washed at the shores of the Estancia during the height of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the containment booms deployed are not sufficient to effectively contain all of the free phase oil in the water. (UN et al., 2013)

Chapter 2Methodology

SamplingIn this study, the researcher gathered adsorbent entire corncobs, crude oil and simulated saltwater. The researcher gathered adsorbent entire corn cobs in their natural state without the need of an expensive process or costly process to turn the corn cobs in granular form. The researcher gathered ten (10) dry corn cobs. The corn cobs used is the sweet kind (Zea Saccharata or Zea Rugosa). The researcher visited a farmland where freshly-harvested sweet corn is produced and as gathered, it is placed on a basin and labeled. The oil gathered is used oil or crude oil where the researcher visited a gasoline station to get 2 liters of crude oil or used oil and then placed in a closed container. The water used is salt water. The researcher will made a salt water simulation. Since water at standard conditions weighs 1000 grams/liter then we can say that sea water has 35g of salt per liter. (OPENROV, 2014) 5 liters of water was used in each 3 containers so, each container with 5 liters of water are mixed with 75 grams of salt. Treatment ProperThe corncobs were labeled as corncob A, B, C ... J. The researcher weighed the corncobs on a weighing scale to determine their current weight before the experiment will be done. After weighing and recording the corncobs current weight, the corncobs were dropped 2 feet above from the container. The basins were also labeled as container A, B, and C. Three corncobs were dropped on each basin 2 feet above and observed for 1- 3 hours. While observing, recording was currently done. After recording observations, corncobs A, B, and C were retrieved by using plastic gloves.

Data GatheringCorncobs A, B, and C were carefully weighed on the weighing scale. The researcher recorded the number of grams of each corn cob after they were retrieved from the containers. The weight of the oil-absorbed corncobs were compared to their weight before the experiment was done. The researcher did experiment three times for the researcher to know that the experiment wasnt done by chance.

Data AnalysisThe researcher then compared and contrasted the outcome of the controlled and experimental group by using the table below:TrialsWeight of corn cobs before experimentWeight of corn cobs after the experimentWeight of coconut husk fibers before experimentWeight of coconut husk fibers after experiment

1W gramsX gramsY gramsZ grams

2W gramsX gramsY gramsZ grams

3W gramsX gramsY gramsZ grams

Table 1.0 The weight of each group before and after the experiment began The researcher used T-test on the significance of the difference between two correlated means. The null hypothesis was: There is no significant difference on the potential of corncobs as an oil adsorbent. The alternative hypothesis was: There is a significant difference in the potential of the corncobs as an oil adsorbent. The significant level or the alpha level used is 5%, the degree of freedom used will be N 1 which is 2 and the test used was one-tailed. In solving the test, first done was to compute the mean of group 1 (X1) and group 2 (X2):

X1 and X2 are the summation of the data in each group while N symbolizes the number of trials and is the mean. The summation of the group 1 was divided by the number of trials which was also done for group 2. Next was to compute the standard error (S) of the difference between means:S Then compute for the t or the calculated value:t = The tabulated value the researcher used to compare the computed value is 2.776. If the computed value is greater than the tabulated value then accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null hypothesis. If the tabulated value is greater than the computed value, accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis. Whatever the answer computed may be, it will be written as the final answer.

DisposalThe researcher used a separating funnel to separate the oil from the water that has been used. The oil that has been separated from the water was used as an extra oil or oil for the car or any machinery at home. The water that has been separated was poured over the plants in the researchers home. The experimented corncobs and coir are burned for fuel or separated for future use.

Bibliography

Alimen, R., Alimen, M., (2013) The after Effects of Oil Spill in Guimaras, Philippines retrieved from http://www.ejournals.ph/index.php?journal=IAMURE-ME&page=article&op=viewArticle&path%5B%5D=6285Associated Press, (2015, June 21) Workers Cleaning Up Oil Spill on California Beaches by Hand from http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/06/21/workers-cleaning-up.Burgos Jr., Nestor P., (2014, January 20) Guimaras Villagers Brace for Oil Spill http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/566831/guimaras-villagers-brace-for-oil-spillCzarnik, E. C & G Newspapers (2010, October 20) WB woman: Corncobs Key to Cleaning up Oil Spill from http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2010/05-19-2010/Adria-Brown-corncobs.asp-oHarrison, S., MLive, (2010, May 29) West Bloomfield Inventor Believes Corn Cob Technology Could Help Clean Gulf Oil Spill retrieved from http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2010/05/west_bloomfield_inventor_belie.htmlInternational Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, (2010) Philippines from http://www.itopf.com/knowledge-resources/countries-regions/countries/philippines/Journals, Iosr; I.P, Kelle, H.I., Eboatu, A.N., Ofoegbu O, Udeozo (2014): Determination of the Viability of an Agricultural Solid Waste; Corncob as an Oil Spill Sorbent Mop retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1097541Kinver, M. BBC News, (2011, April 20) BP Oil Spill: The Environmental Impact One Year On retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13123036Omoniyi, O.A, Henry, E.O., (2014, December) Oil Clean up UsingCoconut Husk and Corn Cobs as Absorbents from http://www.slideshare.net/ijrdt/ijrdtvlis26-1426104Petri, Chad, (2015, September 20) Studying The Gulf Study http://wkrg.com/2015/09/20/studying-the-gulf-study/Relief Web, (2013, November 30) Oil Spill in Estancia Iloilo Province, Western Visayas, Philippines Resulting from Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)from http://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/oil-spill-estancia-iloilo-province-western-visayas-philippines-resulting-typhoonSandler, D., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2012, July 15) The Gulf Study from http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/epi/studies/gulfstudy/il-spill-on-california-beaches-by-hand/Siegel, RP., Triple Pundit, (2010, May 14) How to Clean Up the Oil: Lessons that Amoco and Exxon Didnt Learn from http://www.triplepundit.com/2010/05/how-to-clean-up-the-oil/Walker, K., Farm World, (2010, June 16) Inventor Offers Solution to Oil Spill by Using Dried Corn Cobs from http://farmworldonline.com/News/NewsArticle.asp?newsid=10361

Books

Boyd, Claude E., Tucker, Craig S., (2012) Pond Aquaculture Water Quality Management, Springer Science + Business Media, LLC. https://goo.gl/iZLKnp Fingas, Merv, (2012) The Basics of Oil Spill Cleanup, Third Edition, CRC Press. https://goo.gl/OBOCXHLaGrega, Michael D., Buckingham, Philip L. et al., (2010) Hazardous Waste Management: Second Edition, Waveland Press, Inc. https://goo.gl/96rmuaWang, Zhendi, Stout, Scott, (2010) Oil Spill Environmental Forensics: Fingerprinting and Source Identification, Academic press is an imprint of Elsevier. https://goo.gl/F3eKqY

Journals

AGODRAOSC, (2013, August 11) Anniversary of Guimaras Oil Disaster Remembered amid Oil Spill in Cavite http://goo.gl/nGzgsDBhogle, Poonam M. & Sonali Patil (2012) Oil Spill Detection in SAR Images Using Texture Entropy Algorithm and Mahalanobis Classifier https://goo.gl/7u1vujGonzlez, Diana Paola O., Fonseca, Fabio A. et al., (2010) Sorbent Biomaterials or Cleaning Up Hydrocarbon Spills on Soil and Bodies of Water https://goo.gl/sa1yA5Dave, D. & Abdel E. Ghaly (2011) Remediation Technologies for Marine Oil Spills: A Critical Review and Comparative Analysis https://goo.gl/rdtPe2Hess, Mark, Svejkovsky, Jan et al., (2013) Detection of Floating Oil Anomalies from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill with Synthetic Aperture Radar https://goo.gl/yfU2vONdimele, P.E. (2010) A Review on the Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon https://goo.gl/ofw7gTNwachukwu, A.N. & Osuagwu J. C. (2014) Effects of Oil Spillage on Groundwater Quality in Nigeria https://goo.gl/Vyk6Ja Pecingin, Irina-Ramona & Daniela Crn (2013) Bioremediation - Technology for Decontamination of Soils Polluted with Petroleum Hydrocarbons https://goo.gl/9nJLU1Radhika, V. & Dr. G. Padmavathi (2011) Segmentation of Oil Spill Images Using Improved Fcm and Level Set Methods. https://goo.gl/nC4zdlSandu, Iulian-Ovidiu, Bulgariu, Laura et al., (2010) Evaluation of Atmospheric Pollution by Using Natural Low-cost Sorbents https://goo.gl/RZ7ie8Shakirullah, M., Ahmad, M. et al., (2012) Desulphurization of Liquid Fuels by Selective Adsorption through Mineral Clays as Adsorbents https://goo.gl/glR0lpTanee, F.B.G. & E. Albert (2015) Reconnaissance Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Crude Oil Spill on Soil Chemical Properties and Plant Composition at Kwawa, Ogoni, Nigeria https://goo.gl/ix67qR

APPENDICESAppendix A

Statistical ToolT - testH0 : There is no significant difference between the adsorption of oil by corn cobs and coconut husk fibersH1 : There is a significant difference between the adsorption of oil by corn cobs and coconut husk fibersLevel of significance: = 0.05X1X12X2X22

502,50073.215,359.70

47.912,295.37704,900

502,50071.155,062.32

X1 = 147.91X12 = 7,295.37X2 = 214.36X22 = 15,322.2

Table 2.3: a. Computing the mean of group 1 (X1)and group 2 (X2)

b. Computing the standard error of the difference between means

C. Computing for tt =

Finding the critical value or the tabular value of t.df = 4 = 0.05ttab = 2.776Since the tcalc is greater than the ttab, reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis.H1 : There is a significant difference between the adsorption of oil by corn cobs and coconut husk fibers

Raw ResultTrialsWeight of corn cobs before experimentWeight of corn cobs after the experimentWeight of coconut husk fibers before experimentWeight of coconut husk fibers after experiment

112525075280

212524075250

312525075260

Table 2.3 : The weight of each group before and after the experiment began in grams.

Appendix B