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Biodegradability and recycling Did you know that biodegradability Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:19 am
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Objective
Did you know that biodegradability improves awareness of recycling? Observe and compare how well different items biodegrade over time.
Material
Large fish tank (10 to 20 gallon); five gallons of moistened soil (but NOT potting soil); plastic wrap; strapping tape; pieces of aluminum foil, cloth, cracker, eggshell, orange peel, soap and Styrofoam; a plastic spoon; a paper clip; a glass jar; and a wooden pencil with an eraser.
Procedure
Cover the bottom of the fish tank with about four inches of moist soil. Place the trash on top of the soil. Cover the trash with another five inches of soil. Seal the tank with the plastic wrap and secure with tape. Place the tank in direct sunlight.
Unseal the tank once a week to allow oxygen to enter, then reseal. Uncover the trash after three to four weeks and observe any changes. Rebury the trash and reseal the tank for another month (continue to unseal and reseal the tank once a week). Uncover the trash again and observe any changes.
Discussion points
Ask students to identify three items made from each of the following materials: wood, plastic, metal, fabric, glass, paper and organic matter. Ask students to identify which items they think can be recycled. Discuss the items that nature recycles and how. Discuss what items decompose during the experiment and how quickly they do so.]
Did you know that biodegradability improves awareness of recycling? Observe and compare how well different items biodegrade over time.
Material
Large fish tank (10 to 20 gallon); five gallons of moistened soil (but NOT potting soil); plastic wrap; strapping tape; pieces of aluminum foil, cloth, cracker, eggshell, orange peel, soap and Styrofoam; a plastic spoon; a paper clip; a glass jar; and a wooden pencil with an eraser.Procedure
Cover the bottom of the fish tank with about four inches of moist soil. Place the trash on top of the soil. Cover the trash with another five inches of soil. Seal the tank with the plastic wrap and secure with tape. Place the tank in direct sunlight.
Unseal the tank once a week to allow oxygen to enter, then reseal. Uncover the trash after three to four weeks and observe any changes. Rebury the trash and reseal the tank for another month (continue to unseal and reseal the tank once a week). Uncover the trash again and observe any changes.
Discussion points
Ask students to identify three items made from each of the following materials: wood, plastic, metal, fabric, glass, paper and organic matter. Ask students to identify which items they think can be recycled. Discuss the items that nature recycles and how. Discuss what items decompose during the experiment and how quickly they do so.]
