Super-absorbent polymer prepared from orange peels

[SciB]

Yaay! I knew you would do incredibly well, Lakshita. Good job!! I'm glad that stress is over. Nobody likes exams. Now on to more interesting, real-world projects. I read through your rationale and hypotheses and polished up the wording a little to bring out the importance of the study:

Rationale:
This project is the continuation of my previous project where I investigated whether superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) made from orange and avocado peels were as efficient as synthetic potassium polyacrylate. I chose to look at this question because biodegradable SAPs have great potential as a cheap water-holding soil amendment in drought-prone farming areas. During my previous research, it surprised me to see how much climate change has increased drought and reduced precipitation across the globe. Farmers in developing countries struggle to grow crops that their people depend on for food and income and cannot afford expensive irrigation or chemical treatments. In my study, natural kinds of SAPs made from food waste--orange and avocado peels—powdered and blended to retain moisture were compared to a conventional potassium polyacrylate SAP for water retention ability, retention of soil moisture, and plant growth enhancement. My hypotheses stated that the amount of water absorbed, soil moisture retained over 21 days, and plant growth in 21 days would be significantly higher for the orange and avocado peel blend, and all aspects were supported by experimental data with statistical significance.

In this continuing project, I wanted to evaluate the orange and avocado peel mixture SAP under actual agricultural conditions. There is very little known about how SAPs perform in different types of soil and with various degrees of salinity, which is a common problem in dry farming areas. This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the rate of water absorption by soil types of increasing water permeability (clay, loam, sand) with SAP amendment, the effect of irrigation with water of increasing salt concentration, and how application of increasing amounts of SAP in highly permeable soil might affect plant growth.


Hypotheses

Sub-Experiment 1
As the salinity in different sources of water (rain water, tap water, river water, and brackish water) increases, the average fold change of water absorption capacity of orange and avocado peel mixture decreases.

Sub-Experiment 2
If soil types of increasing water permeability (clay, loam, sand) are amended with a specific amount of orange and avocado peel mixture and compared for water retention, then the average amount of water absorbed for orange and avocado peel mixture will be lowest in the most permeable sandy soil.

Sub-Experiment 3
As the amount of orange and avocado peel mixture added to highly permeable sandy soil is increased, then the average plant growth in 21 days will significantly increase.


Let me know if you have any questions. If you want to change the wording, feel free. It's your project and I am just here to make suggestions.

Stay safe and be happy. We're here for you.

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

Thanks so much for your encouraging email. Yes I completed my first semester successfully and it was really painful last couple of months. But pain brought me reward I got 100 in 5 subjects and 98 and 97 in 2 subjects. My Astronomy teacher was emailing my mom every 2 days before 1 month that I am failing in his subject and if I needed any help. But finally I got 100.24 in his subject (guess it is extra credit). I am happy about this.

Now for second semester, they changed the pattern differently for virtual students. They are going to post videos and actual classes are going to happen online 3 days a week. So I am sure less burden on our shoulders. It is going to be much similar as in-person learning.

I am really glad to see your suggestions on my write-up. That is really nice and I made all the required changes. I am so happy I have you as my mentor.

How is your editing work. Sorry I am bothering you in your tight schedule.

Find below the write-up for Question. Please go over and provide your suggestion.

Question:
Sub-Experiment 1:
Does the water absorption capacity of orange and avocado peel mixture decrease as water salinity increases?

Sub-Experiment 2:
Does the water absorption capacity of soil amended with orange and avocado peel mixture decrease as the water permeability of the soil increases?

Sub-Experiment 3:

Does average plant growth increase as the amount of orange and avocado peel mixture amended in highly permeable sandy soil increases?

I am working on writing the procedure and Abstract. Will post in couple of days. Also my plants have grown. Tomorrow I am going to take measurement. Will send you the data table shortly.

Thanks again for your time and Stay safe.
Lakshita

[SciB]

Good morning Lakshita,

I am glad to hear that you did so well on your exams--congratulations! I'm sure you are glad to be done with them.

I'm also happy to hear that your school will be staging actual classes online so that you will have the benefit of in-class interactions without the risk. That should make it easier to learn and feel more normal.

Your questions are fine--I just made a few cosmetic changes:

Questions
Sub-Experiment 1:
Does the water absorption capacity of orange and avocado peel mixture decrease as water salinity increases?

Sub-Experiment 2:
Does the water-holding capacity of soil amended with orange and avocado peel mixture decrease as the water permeability of the soil increases?

Sub-Experiment 3:
Does plant growth in highly permeable sandy soil increase as the amount of orange and avocado peel mixture added is increased?

We are all well and hoping for an early spring. Winter is still here, however, and the low temperatures this week will be in the low teens with a lot of wind, but only snow flurries. How is your weather?

Stay well and happy,

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

Thanks for checking my questions. I made the required changes. From tomorrow my second semester starts. This year is going to be really busy with ACT too. I am now concentrating much on science fair as due date is nearing. But I am sure I can make it with your guidance Really thanks for your time.

Please provide your suggestions on my below abstract. After I wrote I realized, the word limit for abstract is only 250 words. Can you please help me on how to shorten this. Till last year, they didn't really stress on word count. I checked on my previous year abstract and it was close to 400 words. But now they have limit of 250

Abstract:
Evaluation of a biodegradable water-retaining soil amendment made from orange and avocado peels under real-time agricultural conditions.
The purpose of this study was to collect data and lend support to evaluate the orange and avocado peel mixture (OAP) SAP under actual agricultural conditions in different types of soil and with various degrees of salinity, which is a common problem in dry farming areas.
It was hypothesized in sub-experiment 1 that, “ If salinity from different sources of water (rain water, tap water, river water, and brackish water) increases, then the average fold change of the water absorption capacity of OAP SAP decreases.” Next, in sub-experiment 2, it was hypothesized that, “If soil types of increasing water permeability (clay, loam, sand) are amended with a specific amount of OAP SAP and compared for water retention, then the average amount of water absorbed for OAP SAP will be lowest in the most permeable sandy soil.” Lastly, in sub-experiment 3, it was hypothesized that “If the amount of OAP SAP amended in highly permeable sandy soil is increased, then the average plant growth in 21 days will significantly increase”.

A test was created by preparing a biodegradable OAP SAP from orange and avocado peels and then carrying out an experimental study to evaluate the effect of irrigation with water of increasing salt concentration, the rate of water absorption by soil types of increasing permeability (clay, loam, sand) amended with SAP, and how adding increasing amounts of SAP in highly permeable soil might affect plant growth. In the first sub-experiment, the water absorption of the OAP SAP in terms of fold change in weight was measured in different sources of water (distilled which is control group, rain, tap, river, and brackish water) with different water salinity concentrations. In the second sub-experiment, the water retention percentage of different types of soil (clay, loam, and sand) with increasing permeability levels amended with OAP SAP was measured. In the third sub-experiment, the lima bean seeds were planted in highly permeable sandy soil and plant growth height (in centimeters) was measured in 21 days in soil mixed with increasing amounts of OAP SAP and the control group with no SAP.
It was found that the water absorption capacity of OAP SAP decreased as water salinity increased, water-holding capacity of soil amended with OAP SAP decreased as the water permeability of the soil increased, and the plant growth in highly permeable sandy soil increased as the amount of OAP SAP added was increased. Also, in 21 days the leaves of the plants grown in sandy soil amended with 3 tbsp. of OAP SAP were visibly larger than those on plants in soil amended with less OAP SAP and the control. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the water absorption capacity of OAP SAP was the most in rain water with minimal salinity concentration, water retention percentage of highly permeable sandy soil amended with specific amount of OAP SAP was the least, and the average plant height in highly permeable sandy soil with 3 tbsp. of OAP SAP was the greatest. OAP works optimally in water with a lower salt content and can increase the efficiency of planting crops in highly permeable soil when used in greater amounts, therefore could be used by farmers as a soil amendment in less developed countries to help them grow better crops.
----------------

I am sad this year we didn't have really much snow at all. So weird. This is the first time I am not seeing snow. No snow man this year I guess. Already mid of Jan. From this year in our school, they are not going to give any snow days, instead they are going to make it virtual on snow days. Lot of changes after pandemic

Thanks again for your time. Stay safe.
Lakshita

[SciB]

Good morning Lakshita,

Hope you are warm and well. No snow? Well, that could change...there's still half of January and all of February. The temp here in northern Maine is 14F (-10C), but it is bright and sunny with no wind so quite nice out. Next weekend, however, it is supposed to get down near zero with a bad wind chill--and I'm sure there will be some snow in the mix too. If you like the winter, come to New England. It is beautiful. And you can make lots of snow people. I made a snow mouse eating a big carrot.

It is good that you are focusing in on the coming semester and making plans for the science project. I will be here to give you whatever help and advice I can. You are building your knowledge base and skills set for the rest of your life now so this is really an important time. Work hard and make good choices, but do stop to have fun once in a while.

I will check your write-up and get back to you today.

Happy times,

Sybee

[SciB]

Hi Lakshita,

I read your abstract and results and made some changes to the text. I pasted it into a Word doc and did the editing using Track Changes with comments:

[The extension docx has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

You can read what I said and see if you agree with it. I was trying to emphasize the potential usefulness of the OAP for farmers with poor soil and limited fresh water.

Take care,

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,
Thanks for your time. Wow that is really innovative idea making snow mouse eating carrots. Here also it is chilly but sunny and no winds. Hopefully we will see some snow by next month.

I spoke to my science fair coordinator to see if they can give some exception to increase the word count for Abstract as we are doing 3 sub-experiments. But they said it should stay at 250 word count. May be 20 more. But as per rules it is 250 word count only

I read your abstract. It looks really good but word count is around 700. They are not accepting this. They just need brief synopsis. Can you please help me to reduce the word count.

Sorry for this.
Thanks,
Lakshita

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

I have gone over the abstract you provided before and made required changes -- Changed 'actual' to 'simulated 'agricultural conditions and added 'under low water conditions' in hypothesis 3.

Also yes as per your suggestion, I already did 3 trials for my experiment. I am adding only 50 ml of water initially to 220 grams of soil for my sub-experiment 3 (plant growth). These details I am planning to add in my procedure since abstract needs to be very brief.

All the other changes you made in the last paragraph, I will incorporate in detail in my 'Application to Life' section and include those briefly in Abstract.

Abstract needs to be only 250 words as I stated before and that is where I am struggling with now. Can you please help me out how to minimize the Abstract to 250 words while still keeping it meaningful?

Thanks so much,
Lakshita

[deleted-946958]

Hi Mr. Sybee and Ms. Lakshita,

I am Reynel, the one asking for help about making an SAP using orange and avocado peels just like MS. Lakshita. I would like to ask for help if you could explain or give to us the precise procedure that you used since our experiment did not go as it supposed to be though we followed Ms. Kiara Nirghin's original procedure.
You could check our topic and help us there: viewtopic.php?t=22026

We badly need your help (a very urgent project). I hope you could help us!

Thank you for your time,
Reynel

[deleted-373171]

Hi Reynel,

I am giving my procedure of making orange and avocado peels in your separate thread. Good Luck on your project.

Thanks,
Lakshita

[deleted-946958]

Hi Ms. Lakshita,

I would like to ask if you could check our topic here: viewtopic.php?t=22026
We replied to your message and asked a few questions too. I hope you could respond to us, it will be very much appreciated!

Thank you and keep safe,
Reynel

[deleted-373171]

Hi Reynel,

Sorry, I guess any of the experts here will help you in your project. I just gave the procedure that I used. Please wait for another expert to reply.

Thanks,
Lakshita

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr. Sybee,

How are you. Hope you are doing good. I am just wondering if you saw my previous message on the abstract and if you had time to look over it.

Thanks,
Lakshita

[deleted-946958]

Hi Ms. Lakshita,

I'm sorry to bother you again, your help was very much appreciated. There was a problem in our experiment while following your procedure. If you could check our topic here: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=22026&p=71763#p71763
Your help means a lot to us, I hope you could respond. (Our project is very urgent)
I am hoping for your success in the project you are making! Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Reynel

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

How are you. Hope you are doing good. I haven't heard back from you since last Thursday and I got worried. I will also work on Abstract to minimize the word limit to 250 as per rules and post my progress for you to check.
I have attached the write-up for my procedure and bibliography, so please read through them and let me know your suggestions. Thanks and stay safe!
Lakshita

Bibliography.pdf

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Procedure.pdf

(48.88 KiB) Downloaded 266 times

[deleted-975240]

Hi Mr. Sybee and ms Lakshita
Regarding your previous project , How did you saturate pots, before testing them for soil moisture,
Thanks
Prateek

[SciB]

Hi Lakshita,

I did not get alerts for any of your posts in my email, so did not seen them. Maybe the other posts on the thread somehow blocked yours.

I will go over your abstract and send you a condensed version that is 250 words. You can use the rest of the text in your introduction or elsewhere in the paper.

Sybee

[SciB]

I condensed the abstract to 234 words. Read it over and see what you think. Since the total is below 250 you could add some words or change it if you like.

[The extension docx has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

Now, I will take a look at the bibliography and procedure and make any needed changes.

Sybee

[SciB]

Hi Lakshita,

The accepted way to do a bibliography in a scientific paper for publication is to place a citation in the text (referring to the bibliographic listing) at the end of the sentence or sentences to which the reference applies. The text citation can be a number (or numbers): [1, 2] placed at the end of the sentence or the first author's surname followed by the year of publication for journal articles or books (Smith, 2021). You can find examples of reference styles on line. Unfortunately different journals use different styles, so there isn’t one standard style. They are similar, however, and differ only in details like where commas are used or whether the title is put in “ “.

Websites are handled differently, as sometimes the author is not given or the URL is not permanent, so you should try to find a link that won’t disappear. Here’s a good description of handling website citations: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and ... urces.html

I will read the procedure next and make any necessary suggestions.

Sybee

[SciB]

I have attached the edited procedure, Lakshita. I rearranged it so that it is done the way researchers do the materials and methods section in publishing a paper. You need to include a materials part where you list all the things you used in the experiments and tell where they came from.

Also, you need to have a statistics section where you explain how you calculated the average and standard deviation for the readings and the test you used to determine if a difference was significant.

I can go over the Materials and Methods again later if you want to make sure it is OK as this is an important part of a research paper.

[The extension docx has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,
I am so glad to see your posts again--Hope you are doing good. I was a little worried you got sick I was emailing Mrs.Cowen enquiring about you. I am really so happy. Yesterday for approval purposes, I worked on minimizing the abstract and sent all the forms. Got SRC approval Yay!!
I will look into your abstract and procedure and make modifications for the actual fair. Thanks so much for your time.
I registered for the science fair. This year, since it is a virtual competition, the rules are very much different. I will send you the rules as well. Also, I am working with the science fair coordinator on my questions. I will keep you posted on what she says.
I will start putting my other sections and data and will send you as and when I finish. I am planning to complete everything by the end of next week so I will have time to put everything in the format that the science fair asks.
Please check my posts every day if possible as I am planning to send you on daily basis. I am sad that my other posts probably got blocked and that you didn't get any notifications because of it

Take care and stay safe.
Lakshita

[SciB]

Good morning Lakshita,

I am glad that our communication is restored. Sorry to have added to your problems when all I want is for things to run smoothly for you. But you accomplished the goal of getting SRC approval by shortening the abstract, and that's good--you can do it on your own--but I will make sure that I check for your posts every day from now on. Try to take a minute and register with Linked In as a backup.

The temp this morning when I got up was 1 degree F!! It's sunny now and 3 degrees F with a high of 20 predicted--a nice, clear, pretty day with snow covering everything. I hope everything is pleasant on this Sunday morn where you are. We are staying safe and you and your family do the same. Virtual may be tiresome, but its a heap better than being in hospital!

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

Yes me too glad to see your posts again. Oh yes it is really cold at your place. In our place, it was snowing on Thursday, today it is raining. It is in 20's here. This time not really snowing much and not that cold compared to last year.

I am also looking at your edits on Abstract and Procedure and making necessary changes.

Once I get my answers from our science fair coordinator, I will let you know. Meanwhile, I am attaching the rules sheet below. We need to do project presentation in the format specified, Quad chart and project video. I had so many questions for her in each section Hopefully she gets back to me soon.

Project-Materials Guidelines-10302020.pdf

(224.64 KiB) Downloaded 387 times

Thanks,
Lakshita

[SciB]

Wow! That's a lot of rules and regulations, lakshita. You will be even busier than busy! I will be allocating as much time as necessary to help you with this and make sure you have everything done as specified in the guidelines. You have a lot of time, but the sooner you get some things finished the better.

You can always ask me questions. I will read the guidelines so I will be familiar with the format and requirements. I noticed that there are several optional items that can be included, like a research paper, which I think you should certainly do using the style for a peer-reviewed manuscript submitted to a journal for publication. If I were a judge, i would be impressed by any student who did that.

The video will be a challenge to get everything explained in two minutes. Your project is very clear and easy to depict visually, so there's no problem except time.

I will stay in touch,

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

Thanks so much for your time. Also I will register on LinkedIn today as you suggested. On Wednesday, I have zoom meeting with my science fair coordinator to help me understand the rules and format better as this is the first year I am appearing for Honors. One bad news I need to upload everything all the project materials (presentation/video etc.) by Feb 15th. Actual competition is only on March 6th. But once uploaded, judges will be selecting 6 finalists and they will be interviewed over zoom on March 6th. So with that said, I only have 2 weeks to complete everything. As you said, yes I will be really busy next 2 weeks with school work also. But I am sure I will make it. I will keep posting my questions on daily basis.

Thanks,
Lakshita

[SciB]

Well, that puts a little more time crunch on the project--but I know you can do it, Lakshita--along with everything else! I'll read the ISEF guidelines so I know what the format should be and I can check your work. Just send me what you have done and I will take a look at it right away.

Stay well,

Sybee

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

Thanks so much for your support. First thing another bad news -- I am not able to create LinkedIn, since I am below 16 years. Please let me know if I can contact you by any other means.
I modified my abstract and procedure as you suggested. Thanks again. I will send you by EOD my write up for other sections.

Thanks,
Lakshita

[deleted-373171]

Hi Mr.Sybee,

I managed to spend some time on science fair today. I am attaching herewith today's write-up

[The extension docx has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

- Included background research
- Observations and Interpretation of results -- please let me know if my interpretation looks good.
In table 2, I didn't include the numbers still as it is in my camera and not yet downloaded. I will paste the numbers as I work on the data tables.
- I have put the first experiment data table.

I will work further and send you tomorrow. Goal is to complete everything by Friday and I need to start putting in the format they asked for.

Thanks so much
Lakshita

[SciB]

Hi Lakshita,

How is the weather where you are? Here it is almost a blizzard with snow blowing and swirling around the house and the spruces and firs whipping around. I've seen know birds at the feeder yet this morning and they usually come for breakfast by now (7 am). The snow and wind are supposed to continue into the afternoon then turn into sleet. Definitely not going out today! I am praying that the power does not go off because then we will have no heat, water or lights. Have your mom set up the LI account and close it later.

I will take a look at your write-up this morning and make suggestions.

Stay safe and, if the storm is as bad where you are as here--stay home!

Sybee

[SciB]

I finished reading over your write-up, Lakshita, and made some changes. I don't want to change it too much, however, because I want your voice to be heard. If you think something sounds too stodgy or conventional, please use your own words.

I don't know if this part should be like a published paper--introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion--but i put them in for your reference.

The tables should go next to the results, I think. When I tried to move your Table 1, however, I could not get all the pieces to move as a unit, so you will have to fix it.

Let me know if you have questions. Having the zoom meeting with the coordinator should help a lot in understanding exactly how they want you to present the project.

Stay safe,

Sybee