The Effects of Heavy The Effects of Heavy Metals on PlantsMetals on Plants

By Sam Kirschner and Adam Call Monarch High School

What are the effects of What are the effects of metals on Jalapeno plants?metals on Jalapeno plants?

Materials

Iron nitrate 5x and 20x concentrationsZinc Nitrate 5x and 20x concentrations

Jalapenos

Hypotheses

If it is true that zinc and iron are cofactors in DNA Expression, and we stress Jalapeno plants using zinc nitrate and iron nitrate, then the plants will show differences in phenotypes such as mutations that stunt growth and yield less fruit.

We will test this hypothesis through an experiment involving a control group and four experimental groups that consist of two different concentrations for iron nitrate and zinc nitrate.

Background We decided to test the effects of manmade pollutants in a controlled setting to see the harm caused to our natural world by heavy

metal runoff.

The majority of different nitrate pollutants are the result of human waste and large-scale factory farms. Farther downstream these

nitrates slip through current water filtration systems, odorless and tasteless they slowly

build up a poisonous residue in the body.

Background Continued

We also are interested in the effects on Plants

Jalapenos (small, yield fruit, short life span (~65 days))

Procedure

• 5 groups: 1 control & 4 Experimental

• Zinc Nitrate 5x and 20x

• Iron Nitrate 5x and 20x

Procedure- Controls

• Lights at 18 hrs on 6 hrs off Vegetative state

• Lights 12 hrs on 12 hrs off flowering state

• Constant Fox Farm 5,5,5 fertilizer water

• Constant temperature (70º F)

• Constant humidity (45%)

Procedure Details

• Birth/ death day for age

• Pictures for Observation

• Rotation of plants

• Water as needed

Observations

• Plants are nearly 4 months old

• All the controls are still thriving

• All zinc nitrate & Iron nitrate plants are dead

Observations: Zinc Nitrate

• The Zinc Nitrate’s leaves wilted (image below)

Observations: Iron Nitrate

• The Iron nitrates leaves fell off at their node• The node is where the main stem meets the leaf

stem• Some had chemical burns (see below)

Additional Experimentation

Reduce concentrationsTest various plants

BibliographyBibliographyhttp://www.usda.gov/nass/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Indoor-Grow-Lights-and-Light-Spectrums-For-Plant-Growth&id=2416747

•

http//:www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com; September 2008

•

Fralin Biotechnology Center. “PREP Experiment Guide”. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dec. 1,

2008 http://www.prepbiotech.vt.edu/

Mrs.Donley= Bestest Mentor EVER =)