Hello,
I need help creating a stable ocean environment in something like a water jug, in which i can add iron to grow phytoplankton. What supplies would I need to create the environment? What steps should I take?
I would greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thanks!
iron fertilization project-creating stable ocean environment
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mekdem
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:20 pm
- Occupation: Student
- Project Question: Hello,
I’m doing my project on iron fertilization. My plan’s to create a stable ocean environment in something like a water jug or small tank, and add iron to see if it will cause phytoplankton growth. If successful, I’ll then see if they’re effective in reducing CO2 in the air.
My question is about creating a stable environment. I'm not sure how I’d go about doing this. What supplies would I need? What steps should I take?
I’d greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thank you! - Project Due Date: I'm not exactly sure. My teacher said some time around March.
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
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adance
- Former Expert
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:06 pm
- Occupation: science journalist
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Re: iron fertilization project-creating stable ocean environment
This is a very topical project, as some companies are trying to do just that in the ocean!
I'm no expert in ocean science, but I wonder if you might try an aquarium supply store? I imagine the supplies to make a saltwater aquarium might get you going in the right direction.
good luck
I'm no expert in ocean science, but I wonder if you might try an aquarium supply store? I imagine the supplies to make a saltwater aquarium might get you going in the right direction.
good luck
Amber Dance
Science Buddy
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staryl13
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Re: iron fertilization project-creating stable ocean environment
Hi!
Sounds really interesting! Here's a link that might be able to help (skip the first few pages):
http://www.mbl.edu/mrc/services/pdf/teachers_guide.pdf
Definitely try a local aquarium supply store like Amber suggested. Hope this helps, good luck!!
Sounds really interesting! Here's a link that might be able to help (skip the first few pages):
http://www.mbl.edu/mrc/services/pdf/teachers_guide.pdf
Definitely try a local aquarium supply store like Amber suggested. Hope this helps, good luck!!
"There is a single light of science, and to brighten it anywhere is to brighten it everywhere." -Isaac Asimov
-
mekdem
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:20 pm
- Occupation: Student
- Project Question: Hello,
I’m doing my project on iron fertilization. My plan’s to create a stable ocean environment in something like a water jug or small tank, and add iron to see if it will cause phytoplankton growth. If successful, I’ll then see if they’re effective in reducing CO2 in the air.
My question is about creating a stable environment. I'm not sure how I’d go about doing this. What supplies would I need? What steps should I take?
I’d greatly appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thank you! - Project Due Date: I'm not exactly sure. My teacher said some time around March.
- Project Status: I am conducting my research
iron fertilization project-testing phytoplankton's efficienc
Hello,
I am doing my project on iron fertilization. My plan is to create a stable ocean environment in something like a water jug or small tank, and add iron to see if it will cause phytoplankton growth. If successful in this, I'll then go on to see if they're effective in reducing CO2 in the air.
I need help with the CO2. I thought I could fill a balloon with CO2 with a rubber band around the bottom, and place it over the top of the jug without letting any out. If the balloon deflates over time, that could mean the phytoplankton are reducing the CO2. Do you think this would work? Maybe even if they were, the balloon wouldn’t deflate because the pressure inside would remain the same, or it would get filled with a different gas? Do you have any suggestions on a better way of testing the phytoplankton’s efficiency?
I'd appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks!
I am doing my project on iron fertilization. My plan is to create a stable ocean environment in something like a water jug or small tank, and add iron to see if it will cause phytoplankton growth. If successful in this, I'll then go on to see if they're effective in reducing CO2 in the air.
I need help with the CO2. I thought I could fill a balloon with CO2 with a rubber band around the bottom, and place it over the top of the jug without letting any out. If the balloon deflates over time, that could mean the phytoplankton are reducing the CO2. Do you think this would work? Maybe even if they were, the balloon wouldn’t deflate because the pressure inside would remain the same, or it would get filled with a different gas? Do you have any suggestions on a better way of testing the phytoplankton’s efficiency?
I'd appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks!
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ChrisG
- Former Expert
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- Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:43 am
- Occupation: Research Hydrologist
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Re: iron fertilization project-creating stable ocean environment
Hi Mekdem,
I am merging your posts into one thread. Please try to keep all posts relating to this project in a single thread so that the experts will be able to keep track of your ideas and progress.
The volume of air in a container at a constant pressure and temperature is approximately proportional to the moles of gas inside the container, as long as the gaseous constituents are "ideal gases". This is known as the "ideal gas law". For photosynthesis, the basic reaction is
6 CO2(gas) + 6 H2O(liquid) + photons → C6H12O6(aqueous) + 6 O2(gas)
so the number of moles of gas are the same before and after the reaction, and the total volume of gas will not likely give you and accurate estimate of the CO2 concentration inside your experimental chamber.
There are various methods to measure CO2 concentration, which have been previously discussed in this forum:
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/science-f ... fc0#p16142
Good luck!
Chris
I am merging your posts into one thread. Please try to keep all posts relating to this project in a single thread so that the experts will be able to keep track of your ideas and progress.
The volume of air in a container at a constant pressure and temperature is approximately proportional to the moles of gas inside the container, as long as the gaseous constituents are "ideal gases". This is known as the "ideal gas law". For photosynthesis, the basic reaction is
6 CO2(gas) + 6 H2O(liquid) + photons → C6H12O6(aqueous) + 6 O2(gas)
so the number of moles of gas are the same before and after the reaction, and the total volume of gas will not likely give you and accurate estimate of the CO2 concentration inside your experimental chamber.
There are various methods to measure CO2 concentration, which have been previously discussed in this forum:
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/science-f ... fc0#p16142
Good luck!
Chris