Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

What is in motor oil that kills plants? How does motor oil infect the plant? Is the infection in the plant a type of disease or something else? What stages of the plants growing cycle is affected? How does motor oil effect the plant's growing cycle?

Hi

Motor oil does not contain living organisms, so it does not infect living organisms. Instead it contains poisons (toxins). Used motor oil contains toxic metals like arsenic, chromium, and others. Pil itself contains many toxic organic compounds. Here is a report on the composition of oil and its effect on the environment:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/hazardssafety ... ilused.pdf

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Barrett L. Tomlinson

What is in motor oil that kills plants?

Hi,

Please keep all your questions relating to one project in the same thread. It helps the experts understand your questions and background more quickly.

The link I gave you in reply to your prior post contains the most complete information I have seen on what is in motor oil. The heavy metals contaminating used motor oil are generally toxic to many plants(lead, arsenic, copper, chromium, etc.), but different plants have different sensitivities to them. Motor oil also has many many organic compounds which are toxic to organisms, or that plants cannot use as food sources. To try to answer that question you would have to pick a specific plant type and study the its matabolism. Toxicity often happens because the toxic substance blocks an enzyme important to the organism’s functioning.

I don’t think I can provide a simple answer to this question.

Best regards,

Barrett L. Tomlinson

Thank you that is exactly what I needed!!!!!!