I did further research and found out that indoor air pollution phenomenon has urged the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) scientists to study the functions of plants to provide clean indoor air. NASA has become the pioneer towards this research and recently has been widened by many other associations like the Wolverton Environmental Services, Inc. endorsed by the Plants for Clean Air Council in Mitchellville, Maryland[1]. Research done by NASA has found out that there are certain plants that have the function to purify the air in a building[2]. They detoxify the existing toxins and pollutants which originate from the things used in daily activities nowadays; fabrics, detergents and also furniture. These pollutants can be classified into three common indoor pollutants according to the list of indoor contaminant that are currently present. There are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. (TCE)[3]
Plants use the concept of transpiration to work onto this problem[4]. As the vaporized chemical enters the stomatal opening on the leaves of the indoor plants, they are either broken down directly or be sent downwards; down to the root system of the plants.[5] The presence of colonies of microbes at the root system breaks down various kinds of unhealthy compounds; in this case the indoor pollutants, and absorbs them as their source of food[6]. As for the mechanism of transpiration to remove the pollutant, water vapour that is liberated by the leaves of the plants will mix with the air in the atmosphere. Convection of air leads to the movement of the atmospheric air that is contaminated with the vaporized chemical downwards to the base of the plants.
I chose 6 types of plants to be experimented by one fixed type of pollutant; formaldehyde. It is normally used in the production of grocery bags, facial tissues, waxed paper, waxed paper[7] and produced by tobacco products, gas cookers and open fireplaces.[8] In the experiment, this chemical is predicted to be absorbed by each plant. Plant that absorbs the chemical the most would be the efficient plant to be included in places mentioned before.
To study the effect of plants transpiration towards the acidity and mass of formaldehyde in a transparent chamber.
Firstly, a chamber must be set up to place plants chosen. A pot of selected plant is placed into each chamber. 6 types of plants were chosen, therefore 6 chambers must be created. To make sure that air, sunlight and water could be continuously supplied, I decided that the chamber must be transparent, and there are holes to let air enters. The material that I chose is transparent plastic so that holes can be poked, the wall of the chambers can be flipped to water the plants everyday and plants get sufficient sunlight.
I selected formaldehyde as the pollutant to the plants. In each of the chamber, I included formalin of the same amount in a beaker and let it evaporate in the chamber. As formalin CH2O, is a reducing agent[9], therefore it has the ability to release its hydrogen.[10] The more hydrogen ions present in it, the greater the strength of the acid. When evaporation of formalin happens continuously, there will be less in quantity of hydrogen atoms in the aqueous solution. Thus, the acidity of formaldehyde could decrease through evaporation; pH of the formalin increases. So, the pH of the formalin is ought to be checked for every interval of two days. Because concept of evaporation is used, it is for sure the volume of the formalin will reduce. The most effective method to measure this is by getting the mass decrease. I took the reading of the mass of formalin for every interval of two days. I decided to take note on the external condition of all the plants so that analysis on that can be done to find its relativity with formalin.
My prediction is that indoor plants have the ability to get rid of formaldehyde, one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home nowadays by absorbing the chemicals through their microscopic openings perforated on their leaves; the stomata[11]. As the chemical evaporates, the molecules of the chemical are absorbed by the plants by gaining entrance through the stomata. These plants transport the absorbed chemical to their root system along the xylem of the plants to be broken down by the microbes present at the roots.[12] As formalin acts as a reducing agent, release of hydrogen could occur. Through evaporation of formalin, there will be less hydrogen atoms could remain in the aqueous solution. Thus, it is possible for the decrease in mass and increase in the pH of the formalin to occur when indoor plants are available.
* Types of plants chosen to be experimented
There are variety types of plants chosen in order to know whether the hypothesis could be accepted. They are Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”), Janet Craig(Dracaena deremensis), Florist’s mum(Chrysanthemum morifolium), Kimberly queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata), Snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’), Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) altogether. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) acts as the control of the experiment to show its less in efficiency to absorb the toxin. Some plants have no ability to absorb the chosen toxin as good as in some indoor plants.
* The rate of absorption of formaldehyde
The rate of absorption of formaldehyde is taken as the decrease in mass of formalin over time. This is documented for every interval of two days. Other than that, the acidity of formaldehyde in each chamber is also noted. This is done by using pH paper and pH meter to indicate the change in pH. The pH of the formalin in the chamber is recorded to see the pattern of change in acidity.
* The type of toxin chosen; formaldehyde
Liquid formalin is selected to be one of the fixed variables in this experiment so that the analysis of the change in acidity can be done easily. More than one type of pollutant will promote confusion while conducting the experiment as the characteristic of one pollutant differ from one to another. Formalin is the aqueous state of the chemical formaldehyde and the concentration of the liquid formalin is 100%. I made the volume and the concentration of liquid formalin the same in every small beaker included in every transparent chamber. It is important to do so because the pH of the chemical and its mass are to be checked every 2 days throughout the duration of the experiment. The initial pH of the chemical is 3.510 while the initial volume of the chemical is 10 ± 0.5 ml making its mass to be 10.19 ± 0.01 g
* The estimated size of the plants chosen
The chosen plants are of the same size. There is no specific measurement for the plants sizes so therefore, the size is depending on the experimenter’s justification by fixing the number of leaves present in every plant chosen. This is due to the mechanism of the absorption of the chemical formalin happens through the microscopic opening present on the leaves; the stomata. It is therefore can be predicted that more tiny opening present on the leaves, the more effective would the rate of absorption be. I decided that the total number of leaves is approximately 15-20 leaves depending on the how broad the surface of the leaves is.
* The size of the pyramidal transparent chamber
The size of the pyramidal transparent chamber is to be made constant by using the same size and number of transparent plastic bags. The size of the plastic bags is 23cm x 38cm and they are cut into same shapes to fit it with the skeleton of the chamber. The base of the chamber is triangular in shape and constant with the area of ½ (50cm x 50cm).
MATERIALS
QUANTITY
JUSTIFICATION
Formalin
120ml
Formalin acts as the toxin in the experiment.
Tap Water
5 litres
This is used to water the plants everyday for 2 weeks duration.
APPARATUS
QUANTITY
JUSTIFICATION
Boston fern
(N. exaltata)
1 pot
These are the plants chosen to determine their effectiveness to absorb the formalin.
Janet Craig
(D. deremensis)
1 pot
Florist’s mum
(C. morifolium)
1 pot
Kimberly queen fern
(N. obliterata)
1 pot
Snake plant
(S. trifasciata)
1 pot
Himalayan Balsam
(I. glandulifera)
1 pot
pH paper
1 box
To check the acidity of formalin every 2 days.
pH meter
1
To determine the pH of the formalin every 2 days.
Disposable plastic cups
24
To be the base of the pyramidal transparent chamber.
Plastic and bamboo chopsticks
54
To be the poles of the pyramidal transparent chamber.
Electronic balance
1
To measure the decrease in mass of the liquid formalin for every 2 days.
50ml beaker
6
To place the liquid formalin in each chamber.
50ml measuring cylinder
1
To measure the amount of formalin in each 50ml beaker.
Transparent plastics for packaging
(23cm x 38cm)
1 pack
To become the cover of the chamber.
A chamber has to be invented to place the chosen plants, considering the needs of those plants to get sufficient sunlight, air and water. I chose transparent plastics and attach them together to create a pyramidal transparent chamber. Holes were also poked to allow air move into the chamber.
I included nine chopsticks to be the poles of chamber. A pole comprised of 3 combined chopsticks. To increase its stability, I poked a hole onto the bases of three disposable plastic cups and inserted the chopsticks into the holes.
After the chamber was set up, I prepared the solution of the toxin chosen; formalin.in a 50ml beaker. 10 ± 0.5 ml of the chemical in each beaker was measured using 50ml measuring cylinder.
6 transparent chambers were set up to place 6 types of plants which were the Boston fern (N. exaltata), Janet Craig (D. deremensis), Florist’s mum (C. morifolium), Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata), Snake plant (S. trifasciata), and Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera). All the 6 chambers contained different pots of plants and 10ml of formalin in a 50ml beaker.
At intervals of 2 days, the mass of the formalin was recorded. The procedure to get the mass of formalin in each chamber was as follows;
* Take the reading of the mass of 50ml beaker before filling in the formalin by using electronic balance. Repeat the steps 3 times in order to get the average reading.
* Weigh the 50ml beaker containing formalin by using electronic balance. Repeat the procedure 3 times in order to get the average reading.
The reading of the mass of the formalin + 50ml beaker at intervals of 2 days was recorded. The mass of the formalin was determined by subtracting the average value of the mass of formalin + 50ml beaker with the average mass of the 50ml beaker.
The pH was again checked by using pH paper and also pH meter for 2 weeks. The change in colour of the pH paper and the reading of the pH meter were noted and documented.
Each of the plants in the chamber was watered once a day using tap water. The amount of tap water must was 20ml per watering and watering time was at 10.30 a.m and 4.00 p.m. every day.
Condition for each of the plants was observed for interval time of 2 days.
All of results were recorded in a table.
1. Beware while handling formalin because it is a dangerous chemical. Since a high concentration of formaldehyde will be used in the experiment, [13]it may cause burning sensation to the eyes, nose and lungs. Thus it could result in allergic reaction because of formalin.
2. Be cautious when building the pyramidal transparent chamber especially when dealing with the bamboo sticks. Avoid any sharp splinter of the bamboo stick from piercing into the skin.
Transparent chamber containing plants
Value of Ph of formalin in each transparent chamber according to number of days
2 days
4 days
6 days
8 days
10 days
12 days
14 days
Boston fern (N. exaltata “Bostoniensis”)
3.510
3.550
3.570
4.020
4.130
4.260
4.310
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
3.510
3.570
3.580
4.020
4.070
4.210
4.430
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
3.510
3.570
3.590
4.120
4.200
4.320
4.620
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)
3.510
3.510
3.520
4.010
4.030
4.050
4.110
Snake plant (S. trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
3.510
3.370
3.360
4.030
4.030
4.030
4.030
Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)
3.510
3.370
3.370
3.350
3.350
3.350
3.350
Note: The pH of formalin in each beaker was checked at the same interval to ensure that none of the formalin being absorbed more by their respective plants. The time that they were checked was at a range of 4.00 p.m. until 4.45 p.m.
10
Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?
Transparent chamber containing plants
Mass of formalin + 50ml beaker in each transparent chamber ± 0.01g
2 days
4 days
6 days
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
46.950
46.960
46.960
46.530
46.540
46.550
46.230
46.220
46.220
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
46.910
46.910
46.910
46.520
46.520
46.510
46.310
46.310
46.310
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
46.940
46.940
46.950
46.610
46.600
46.610
46.350
46.340
46.350
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata)
46.970
46.970
46.970
46.620
46.620
46.640
46.430
46.410
46.410
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
46.920
46.910
46.910
46.620
46.630
46.610
46.420
46.410
46.430
Himalayan Balsam(I. glandulifera)
46.940
46.940
46.930
46.780
46.790
46.790
46.720
46.710
46.720
Note: The mass of the formalin was measured at intervals of 2 days and it was at a range of time from 4.00 p.m. until 4.45 p.m.
10
Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta
one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019
nowadays?
Transparent chamber containing plants
Mass of formalin + 50ml beaker in each transparent chamber ± 0.01g
8 days
10 days
12 days
14 days
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
46.010
46.030
46.040
45.480
45.480
45.470
45.210
45.220
45.220
44.950
44.960
44.980
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
45.520
45.530
45.530
45.030
45.030
45.020
44.960
44.960
44.920
44.580
44.590
44.580
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
45.550
45.550
45.560
45.220
45.210
45.220
44.940
44.940
44.950
44.130
44.130
44.140
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata)
45.500
45.510
45.510
45.320
45.350
45.350
44.980
44.980
44.990
44.220
44.230
44.230
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
45.890
45.900
45.890
45.530
45.530
45.530
45.140
45.140
45.120
44.970
44.960
44.970
Himalayan Balsam(I. glandulifera)
46.680
46.680
46.680
46.340
46.340
46.320
46.290
46.290
47.300
46.250
46.240
46.250
10
Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?
Transparent chamber
containing plants
Change in colour of pH paper
2 days
4 days
6 days
8 days
10 days
12 days
14 days
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Yellow leaves
Brown Leaves
Florist’s mum (C.morifolium)
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Wilted flowers
Wilted flowers
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves
K. queen fern (N. obliterata)
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
Green leaves
H. Balsam (I. glandulifera)
Green leaves
Green leaves
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves
Brown leaves
Brown leaves
Note: Only Florist’s mum (C.morifolium) in this experiment has flowers. When the edges of the leaves becoming brown or yellow, it is indicated as having brown leaves or yellow leaves. The font in italic form indicates the adverse change onto the plants.
10
Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?
Transparent chamber
containing plants
Change in colour of pH paper
2 days
4 days
6 days
8 days
10 days
12 days
14 days
Boston fern (N. exaltata )
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
K. queen fern (N. obliterata)
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
H. Balsam (I. glandulifera)
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Light orange
Note: The original colour of the pH paper is light yellow in colour
10
Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?
I discover that there are some changes in pH of the formalin in the transparent chamber. The following table shows the total difference in the final and the initial pH of the formalin in each transparent chamber.
Transparent chamber containing plants
Final pH
Initial pH
Difference in pH
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
4.310
3.510
0.800
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
4.430
3.510
0.920
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
4.620
3.510
1.110
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)
4.110
3.510
0.600
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
4.030
3.510
0.520
Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)
3.350
3.510
0.160
Note: The method to calculate the pH of formalin in chamber containing Himalayan Balsam is inverted, since the pH value decreased so that negative value can be ignored.
The following table shows the average mass of formalin + 50ml beaker for 14 days
Transparent chamber containing plants
Average mass of formalin+50ml beaker in each chamber ± 0.01g
Day 2
Day 4
Day 6
Day 8
Day 10
Day 12
Day 14
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
46.960
46.540
46.220
46.030
45.480
45.220
44.960
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
46.910
46.520
46.310
45.530
45.030
44.950
44.580
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
46.940
46.610
46.350
45.550
45.220
44.540
44.130
K. queen fern (N. obliterate)
46.970
46.630
46.420
45.510
45.340
44.980
44.240
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
46.910
46.620
46.420
45.890
45.330
45.130
44.970
H. Balsam (I. glandulifera
46.940
46.790
46.720
46.680
46.330
46.290
44.250
Note: The average masses were obtained by totaling up the three mass values in three trials, and divide it into three.
In order to get a graph of decrease in mass of formalin from day 0 to day 14, the real mass of formalin is required. Therefore, the table of mass of formalin for a duration of 14 days is made as follows.
The formulation to calculate the mass of formalin in each beaker would be;
Mass of formalin= [(Average mass of formalin+50ml beaker)-
Average mass of 50ml beaker]
Transparent chamber containing plants
Mass of formalin ± 0.01g
[(Average mass of formalin+50ml beaker) – Average mass of 50ml beaker]
Day 2
Day 4
Day 6
Day 8
Day 10
Day 12
Day 14
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
10.170
9.750
9.430
9.240
8.690
8.430
8.170
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
10.120
9.730
9.520
8.740
8.240
8.160
7.790
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
10.150
9.820
9.560
8.760
8.430
8.150
7.340
K. queen fern (N. obliterate)
10.180
9.840
9.630
8.760
8.430
8.150
7.450
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
10.120
9.830
9.630
9.100
8.540
8.340
8.180
H. Balsam (I. glandulifera
10.150
10.000
9.930
9.890
9.540
9.500
9.460
Note: The average mass of one 50ml beaker is 36.79 ± 0.1g. This value was used to calculate the mass above.
The bar graph of decrease in mass of the formalin against number of days for each beaker containing formalin in every transparent chamber is as follows;
graph 1: decrease in mass of the formalin against number of days for each beaker containing formalin in every transparent chamber
Note: The graph shows quite obvious inclination of mass of formalin in all chambers except for the H. Balsam (I. glandulifera)
The initial average mass of the 10ml formalin in the 50ml beaker is 46.980 ± 0.01g and the average mass of the 50ml beaker alone is 36.790 ± 0.01g making the mass of the 10.000 ± 0.1 ml formalin poured in to be 10.190 ± 0.01g. From the data, there is a decreasing pattern of the mass of the formalin in the 50ml beaker. The percentage of decrease in mass of the 10.000 ± 0.1 ml formalin in 14 days of time in respective transparent chamber of plants can be determined. Before that, the mass of formalin absorbed in all the 6 transparent chambers must be d up. Calculation is as follows;
Name of plants in each chamber
Mass of formalin absorbed
[Initial mass (10.190)- Mass on the14th day] ± 0.01g
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
2.020
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
2.400
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
2.850
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)
2.740
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
2.010
H. Balsam (I. glandulifera
0.730
Note: The mass of formalin absorbed by plants in each chamber is referring to the decrease in mass of formalin throughout the 12 days duration.
It is possible to calculate the percentage of decrease in mass of formalin absorbed by using the formulation below. The table below shows the percentage in respective 50ml beaker of formalin in all 6 chambers;
Percentage of decrease in = Mass of formalin absorbed x 100%
mass of formalin Initial mass of formalin
Transparent chamber containing plants
Percentage of decrease in mass of formalin absorbed
Percentage of decrease in mass of formalin (%)
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
2.020/10.190 x 100
19.820
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
2.400/10.190 x 100
23.550
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
2.850/10.190 x 100
27.970
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)
2.740/10.190 x 100
26.890
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
2.010/10.190 x 100
19.730
Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)
0.730/10.190 x 100
7.160
Note: The comparison of decrease in mass of formalin in beaker is based on the initial mass of formalin in the beaker.
The greater the percentage of decrease in masses of formalin, the better the quality of air in the chamber, the better formalin absorber would the plant be. The following diagram shows the ascending order of the quality of plant as formalin absorber.
Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
Mass
± 0.01g
Plants
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata)
Snake plant (S. trifasciata)
Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)
1st trial
2.000
2.330
2.810
2.000
1.950
0.690
2nd trial
2.000
2.320
2.810
2.740
1.950
0.700
3rd trial
1.980
2.330
2.810
2.740
1.940
0.680
Mean
1.993
2.327
2.810
2.493
1.947
0.690
Std. Dev
0.009
0.005
0.000
0.349
0.005
0.008
Note: The mean was determined by getting the difference of mass of formalin between 14th day with the 0 day; initial mass.
The formulation to calculate t-test is as follows;
t-value =_____difference in mean___
difference of standard error
Mass
± 0.01g
Plants
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
Difference between Boston fern and Janet Craig
1 trial
2.000
2.330
0.330
2 trial
2.000
2.320
0.320
3 trial
1.980
2.330
0.340
Mean
1.993
2.327
0.330
Std. Dev
0.009
0.005
0.008
Std. Error
1.151
1.343
0.191
Degree of freedom
2.000
Critical value at 5% level
4.300
t-value
1.728
Null Hypothesis: There is no significance difference for decrease in mass between Boston fern (N. exaltata) and Janet Craig (D. deremensis)
| t | = 1.728 < 4.300
Thus, null hypothesis is rejected. The mean difference is not significant
Null Hypothesis: There is no significance difference for decrease in mass between Boston fern (N. exaltata) and Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
Mass
± 0.01g
Plants
Boston fern (N. exaltata)
Florist’s mum (C. morifolium)
Difference between Boston fern and Florist’s mum
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