Duckweed Experiment Report

Introduction

The aim of the following experiment is to determine the correlation between the level of nitrates in the water and the growth of duckweed. It is expected that the increased amount of nitrates in the water will cause the duckweed to grow. The duckweed is expected to absorb the nitrates as it grows and therefore lower the levels of nitrates in the water. This is a valid aim as the results could be used as a method of deterring and removing eutrophication in bodies of water where other methods may not be suitable. It is expected that the higher levels of nitrates will cause duckweed colonies in a body of water to grow in population at the same time lowering levels of nitrates in the water.

If this is true it can be deduced that duckweed

The water will now be void of chlorine and this factor will no longer have an effect on the results.

• The experiment consist of a control of 5 containers holding 80ml of water measured with a measuring cup and 0.5ml of nitrate plant food measured with a syringe and no duckweed. All measurements were taken abiding by experimental design rules.

• The experiment consist of another control of 5 containers holding 80ml of water measured with a measuring cup and 0ml of nitrate plant food measured with a syringe and 2cm3 duckweed.

• A further 5 containers were filled with 80ml of water and 0.2ml of nitrate plant food. To this 10 fronds (approximately one square centimetre in area) of duckweed were added per container.

• A further 5 containers were filled with 80ml of water and 0.5ml of nitrate plant food. To this 10 fronds (approximately one square centimetre in area) of duckweed were added per container.

• A further 5 containers were filled with 80ml of water and 1ml of nitrate plant food. To this 10 fronds (approximately one square centimetre in area) of duckweed were added per