Name: _________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ Mods: ___________________ Biodegradability_Invicta Education Biodegradability Kit Prelab Questions: Define the following: 1. Biodegradation: 2. Composting: 3. Degradable: 4. Renewable: 5. Sustainable: Background: All objects do not decompose at the same rate nor do all substances decompose. The rate depends partially on the soil in which the objects are found and on the substances of which they are made. The decomposers in nature are primarly molds, yeasts, bacteria, and microscopic fungi. Through their action, objects are decomposed to substances that are again available for use by autotrophs. Objective: You will test various materials to determine the rate of decomposition. Scientific Concepts: Understand biodegradability
Biodegradability KitPrelab Questions: Define the following:
1. Biodegradation:
2. Composting:
3. Degradable:
4. Renewable:
5. Sustainable:
Background:All objects do not decompose at the same rate nor do all substances decompose. The rate depends partially on
the soil in which the objects are found and on the substances of which they are made.
The decomposers in nature are primarly molds, yeasts, bacteria, and microscopic fungi. Through their action, objects are decomposed to substances that are again available for use by autotrophs.
Objective:You will test various materials to determine the rate of decomposition.
Scientific Concepts: Understand biodegradability Explore decomposition and rates Study effects of types of soil on decomposition Explore the types of substances which can be decomposed Use the "inquiry method" to set up experiments
Procedure:
The Biodegradability Kit should be used only under adult supervision.
1. You will have two containers to use. Complete and apply the self-adhesive stickers to each container. Information should include the chosen testing material, the experiment starting date, and your group initials.
2. Select the two materials to be tested from samples obtained by the teacher and use two materials supplied by your group (e.g. fruit or vegetable, bread, sugar, tree bark, leaves, carrier bag, crisp packet, fibers etc.).
a. Teacher supplied samples (as a class you must cover all of these):i. Blue biodegradable plastic T-section
ii. Brown biodegradable plastic T-sectioniii. Cardboard T-sectioniv. Copper T-sectionv. Tin T-section
vi. Aluminum T-sectionb. Label the T-sections (teacher provided) with the students’ name,
start date of experiment and actual item being tested.c. Evaluate all of your samples and record a start description of
appearance, texture, and durability.3. Place the student supplied testing material in the most suitable holder (i.e.
clip, open or closed cage frames). a. Clip/cage frames may be either suspended from the grooves in the
lid locators or slotted into the grooves of the base locators. b. Ensure that all self-adhesive labels have been completed (including
students name, start date of experiment and actual item being tested) and applied to the clip or cage frames, so that your results can be recorded.
4. You will be using soil from behind Voorhees High School. Prepare your testing containers (as shown to the right)
a. In one container, after the clips have been placed in the base locator, fill container at least half full with it, but do not allow any of the soil to come in to contact with the self-adhesive labels as writing on them may become unreadable, which would make recording results extremely difficult.
b. Fill the second container about half full with soil. The T Sections should be carefully “planted” in solid testing media. Again, avoid the soil from coming in contact with the labels.
5. Consider what natural conditions would occur in the environment. In order to replicate some of these conditions, we will be “watering” our samples every Monday. Your teacher will determine how much water will be added.
6. We will be monitoring these samples once a week for about 7 weeks to determine rate of decomposition. Record your results in the table provided.
Lab and Extension Questions:1. Which materials decomposed the most quickly?
2. Are there any materials which appear not to have decomposed?
3. Is there any relationship to the organic content of the soil and the rate of decomposition? Support using data.
a. How do you explain this relationship/lack of relationship?
4. What variables might affect biodegradability? List at least 3.
Compare/Contrast Biodegradable Products:5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable materials?
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-biodegradable materials?
7. Think about the items you use in your daily life. What non-biodegradable items that you use could be replaced with biodegradable ones?
Degradability Time:Investigate how long it ACTUALLY takes for things to degrade in soil using the links provided (Some helpful links
provided below). It may be difficult to find the exact time for certain items, like a folding chair. In this instance, estimate the actual time based on the parts of the item, the cloth and the metal frame.
Green Eco Services: http://www.greenecoservices.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-trash-to-biodegrade/ New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services:
