preview

Effects Of Low Nitrate And Low Phosphate In Duckweed Water

Decent Essays

Duckweed is a free-floating aquatic plant that grows in both still and running freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and streams (Gupta and Prakash, 2013). For over 25 years, aquatic plants such as duckweed were utilized in technologies which combine wastewater treatment systems and protein production in feed resource for domestic animals and fish (Lasfar et al., 2007). In this experiment that we have created by choosing what elements will be involved in our Duckweed water. Our group’s research question was, What are the effects of Low Nitrate and Low Phosphate in Duckweed water? Based on some studies we read, that nitrate and phosphate, as well as some other nutrients, are absorbed by the duckweed. Due to their ability to propagate rapidly by …show more content…

To test our hypothesis of whether we were correct or not, we came up with a specific experimental procedures. Our group’s experimental procedures included six major steps. First, we evenly distributed clusters of Duckweed into cups, which should be an average of about 20 duckweed fronds. We then got 6 plastic picnic cups and filled them with pond water (50 mL of pond water each) and the duckweed fonds. After that, using graduated cylinders, we added the mixture of Low Nitrate 88 ppm and Low Phosphate 10ppm solution into three of the cups (25 mL added to the 50 mL). We didn't have to cover the cups with clear plastic wrap, seal each with a rubber band, and poke holes in the plastic wrap for air to enter because we chose to have natural light and air flow. We then labeled each cup with a marker with our group table number, and which cups had the solution (experiment) and which had just pond water (control). The final step was to let them sit for one week in natural sunlight and record the results after 7 days. The materials used by our group included, Low Nitrate 88 ppm and Low Phosphate 10ppm solution, duckweed fonds, graduated cylinder, six plastic picnic cups, and a permanent marker. Our group’s experimental design included the treatment, control, independent and dependent variables, and the results. The

Get Access