Invasive aquatic plant species are causing a growing threat in South Africa, as well as the whole world. These plants threaten the freshwater bodies causing a wide spread degradation on the environment. This study aims to see if Water Hyacinth can help the environment in which it inhabits by neutralising the pH level of acid water. As water hyacinth is a fast growing invasive species that can be controlled by weevils and pesticides [1] which can be used to assist in the purification and neutralisation of South African water sources. South Africa’s water sources are limited and in high demand. As 76.5% of the Earth water is polluted [2] , this study can enable the possibility of neutralising acid water.
Aim
Does water hyacinth affect the pH level of water contaminated with an acidic pH?
Research Question
Water hyacinth will affect the pH level of acidic water as it will be tested in controlled environments where comparisons between acidic and neutral water can be drawn as water hyacinth will be placed in both conditions and over time, the pH level of the water will be tested to observe the change of pH level of the water due to the water hyacinth.
Hypothesis.
Water hyacinth will alter the pH level of the acid water and make the water become more neutral, closer to 7.
Rationale
This research is important as water contamination and pollution is a growing problem in South Africa. As water hyacinth is able to grow at rapid rates, by deciding where one needs to pollinate their seeds, we can breed the plant in contaminated water to resolve the pH levels of the water. The water levels have a great effect on the ecosystems in and around it so with acidic water, ecosystems will be destroyed and the surrounding habitats and ecosystems near the water will be lost or destroyed. The topic is of great importance as there are severe problems concerning drinking water in the world and this can aid to fix the pollution of water around the world.
Literature Review
This project shows great importance as Water hyacinth is a problem on a global level. The problem of over population of this plant causes death of water life as sun light is restricted by the water hyacinth and therefor the plants at the bottom of the dam providing food and nutrition to the life start do die and add to the pollution as they do not receive sunlight for photosynthesis. When these plants have died, the dead fish (for example) begin to decompose which adds to the pollution of the already polluted water. There have been numerous studies around the world into the use of water hyacinth as a pollutant monitor. [3] Water Hyacinth has been tested to observe the absorption of arsenic, cadmium lead and many other metal compounds. [4] The plants can be tested to study the percentage of the compounds absorbed by looking inside the roots and stems and conducting tests to look at the compounds absorbed by the plants while living in the solution. [5] With all plants being made up of chemical structures, an imbalance of chemicals can cause plants to deform and in some instances die. There have been experiments to prove how the concentration of the chemical affects the growth of the plants. In this study, the plants are being tested whether or not the water hyacinth can improve the pH level of acidic water. Plants are very sensitive to high pH levels – vinegar and dish washing liquid as a previous test conducted to see the survival of the plants at different pH levels resulted in the death of the plants after only one week when placed in solutions with high pH levels – and normal garden plants flourish at a pH level of between 6.3 and 7.8 [6] . Water hyacinth is a plant with easy access and grows in specific conditions which could alter the results as plants are sensitive to the conditions in which they grow.
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Sources of pollution are direct – pouring waste into water and washing clothes in fresh water streams – and indirect – leaking oil pipes and runoff from eroded lands [7] – which both add to the pollution levels as well as effecting the pH levels of the water as there are harmful substances being added to a sensitive ecosystem. As water hyacinth is not indigenous to South Africa and originated in Brazil where their ecosystems were equip to control this plant and ensure it did not take over the water sections. South Africa’s water does not have the methods in place to cope with the overtaking of this plant as it is clogging up water ways, reducing the rate of water flow and adding to the pollution of the water [8] . If this plant could have a positive function, it could be controlled by humans and used for only that function.
Method
i) Label 9 small plastic bags (3 x control, 6 x acid ) with a permanent marker.
ii) Using an electronic scale, weigh 24grams of fertilizer and repeat 9 times.
iii) Place each 24g of fertilizer into a separate bag.
iv) Using an electronic scale, weigh 8grams of Iron chelates and repeat 9 times.
v) Place each 8g of Iron chelates into one of the bags.
i) Place 3 sets of 3 tubs in an enclosed area
ii) Measure 80ml of water and pour the water into each tubs.
iii) Draw a line with a permanent marker at the meniscus on the tub.
iv) Label three of the tubs Control and the other six Acid
v) Add one of each of the small plastic bags of the fertilizer and chelates to each of the according tubs
vi) Add 3 plants of Water Hyacinth into 3 of the tubs
vii) Measure 5ml of a coffee solution to each of the six acidic tubs
iix) Place one of each tub in a row and make 3 rows of 3 tubs.
ix) Record the pH level of each tub using HP pool testing strips in the table.
x) Take pictures of each of the strips next to which tub it is.
xi) Record the data once a week for 8 weeks.
The collection of the pH level of each tub once a week for 8 weeks will allow one to observe the effect of water hyacinth on water with irregular pH levels.
Week 1
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 2
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 3
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 4
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 5
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 6
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 7
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
Week 8
TUB
pH
Control
Acidic 1
Acidic 2
A table showing the average pH levels of the three tubs over eight weeks.
Tubs
Average pH level
Control
1
2
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 7
Week 6
Week 8
pH level
A line graph showing the change in pH level of the control tub over 8 weeks
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 7
Week 6
Week 8
pH level
A line graph showing the change in pH level of acidic tub 1 over 8 weeks
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 7
Week 6
Week 8
pH level
A line graph showing the change in pH level of acidic tub 2 over 8 weeks
Plan for Data Analysis
Using the collected data of pH levels from each of the nine tubs, after the 8 weeks, 3 separate line graphs can be drawn to show the neutralisation of the acidic water.
The data will be collected from the 2nd of March to the 20th of April.
Bibliography
African Entomology vol. 19 No. 2 2001. J.A Coetzee
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Va-Z/Water-Pollution.html. Dan M. Sullivan
Invasive Aquatic Plants. Lesley Henderson and Carina J Cilliers. 2002.
Science direct : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0143147182900605
http://www.plantea.com/pH.htm
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