Effects of Indoor Plants on Air Pollution

Effects of Indoor Plants on Air Pollutionargon interior indus trial run plants adapted to die unblock formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta wholeness of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowa eld?1.0 IntroductionI did further research and found out that indoor(a) 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 more or less other associations like the Wolverton Environmental Services, Inc. endorsed by the Plants for Clean Air Council in Mitchellville, Maryland1. Research done by NASA has found out that at that place are certain plants that contribute the function to purify the air in a building2. They detoxify the existing toxins and pollutants which originate from the things used in daily activities nowa age fabrics, detergents and also furniture. These pollu tants can be classified into trine common indoor pollutants according to the list of indoor contaminant that are currently present. There are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. (TCE)3Plants use the purpose of transpiration to work onto this problem4. As the vaporized chemical substance 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 food6. As for the mechanism of transpiration to remove the pollutant, urine vapour that is liberated by the leaves of the plants will mix with the air in the atmosphere. Convection of air leads to the campaign 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 experim ented by one fixed type of pollutant formaldehyde. It is commonly used in the production of grocery bags, facial tissues, waxed paper, waxed paper7 and produced by tobacco products, gas cookers and open fire topographic points.8 In the experiment, this chemical is predicted to be sorb by severally plant. Plant that absorbs the chemical the most would be the efficient plant to be included in places mentioned before.2.0 AimTo study the effect of plants transpiration towards the tartness and sess of formaldehyde in a straightforward domiciliate.3.0 Planning and method developmentFirstly, a house must be set up to place plants chosen. A pot of selected plant is placed into each sleeping accommodation. 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 unbiased, and there are holes to let air enters. The material that I chose is transparent moldable 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 formol of the same amount in a beaker and let it evaporate in the chamber. As formalin CH2O, is a cut agent9, therefore it has the index to release its hydrogen.10 The more hydrogen ions present in it, the greater the strength of the acid. When desiccation of formalin happens continuously, there will be less(prenominal) in quantity of hydrogen atoms in the aqueous solution. Thus, the acidity of formaldehyde could return through evaporation pH of the formalin increases. So, the pH of the formalin is ought to be checked for every interval of two eld. Because concept of evaporation is used, it is for sure the sight of the formalin will reduce. The most effective method to measure this is by getting the mass drop-off. I took the reading of the mass of formalin fo r every interval of two age. I decided to take note on the away condition of all the plants so that analysis on that can be done to find its relativity with formalin.4.0 HypothesisMy prediction is that indoor plants have the ability to get rid of formaldehyde, one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home nowa long time by absorbing the chemicals through their microscopic openings perforated on their leaves the stomata11. As the chemical evaporates, the molecules of the chemical are indifferent by the plants by gaining entrance through the stomata. These plants transport the absorbed chemical to their root system on 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 pl ants are available.5.0 Methodology5.1 Variablesa) Independent* Types of plants chosen to be experimentedThere are variety types of plants chosen in order to last whether the hypothesis could be accepted. They are capital of Massachusetts fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis), Janet Craig(Dracaena deremensis), Florists mum(Chrysanthemum morifolium), Kimberly puff fern (Nephrolepis obliterata), snake plant or mother-in-laws tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii), Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) al unitedly. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) acts as the control of the experiment to examine 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.b) Dependent* The rate of submerging of formaldehydeThe 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 formaldehy de 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.c) Fixed* The type of toxin chosen formaldehydeLiquid 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 tautness 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 chosenThe chosen plants are of the same size. There is no precise measurement for the plants sizes so therefore, the size is depending on the experimenters 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 chamberThe size of the pyramidal transparent chamber is to be made constant by using the same size and number of transparent credit card bags. The size of the waxy bags is 23cm x 38cm and they are cut into same shapes to f it it with the skeleton of the chamber. The base of the chamber is triangular in shape and constant with the ambit of (50cm x 50cm).5.2 MaterialsMATERIALSQUANTITYJUSTIFICATIONFormalin120mlFormalin acts as the toxin in the experiment.Tap Water5 litresThis is used to water the plants everyday for 2 weeks duration.5.3 implementAPPARATUSQUANTITYJUSTIFICATIONBoston fern(N. exaltata)1 potThese are the plants chosen to determine their effectiveness to absorb the formalin.Janet Craig(D. deremensis)1 potFlorists mum(C. morifolium)1 potKimberly queen fern(N. obliterata)1 pot glide plant(S. trifasciata)1 potHimalayan Balsam(I. glandulifera)1 potpH paper1 caseTo check the acidity of formalin every 2 days.pH meter1To determine the pH of the formalin every 2 days.Disposable plastic cups24To be the base of the pyramidal transparent chamber.Plastic and bamboo chop contracts54To be the poles of the pyramidal transparent chamber.Electronic balance1To measure the decrease in mass of the liquid for malin for every 2 days.50ml beaker6To place the liquid formalin in each chamber.50ml quantity cylinder1To measure the amount of formalin in each 50ml beaker. absolute plastics for packaging(23cm x 38cm)1 packTo become the cover of the chamber.5.4 Methodology to prepare a chamber for the plantA 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.5.5 Methodology to determine the change in acidity of formaldehyde later 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), Florists 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 protect 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 ascertained for interval time of 2 days. All of results were recorded in a table.5.5.1 Precaution1. Beware while handling formalin because it is a dangerous chemical. Since a high concentration of formaldehyde will be used in the experiment, 13it 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.6.0 Data collection get across 1 THE pH of FORMALIN IN EACH vaporific sleeping room WITH unlike PLANTS IN 14 yearsTransparent chamber containing plantsValue of Ph of formalin in each transparent chamber according to number of days2 days4 days6 days8 days10 days12 days14 daysBoston fern (N. exaltata Bostoniensis)3.5103.5503.5704.0204.1304.2604.310Janet Craig (D. deremensis)3.5103.5703.5804.0204.0704.2104.430Florists mum (C. morifolium)3.5103.5703.5904.1204.2004.3204.620Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)3.5103.5103.5204.0104.0304.0504.110Snake plant (S. trifasciata Laurentii)3.5103.3703.3604.0304.0304.0304.030Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)3.5103.3703.3703.3503.3503.3503.350Note The pH of formalin in each beaker was checked at the same interval to ensure that none of the formalin creation 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.1 0 atomic number 18 indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays? get across 2 MASS OF FORMALIN + 50ml BEAKER IN EACH CHAMBER CONTAINING DIFFERENT PLANTS IN 14 DAYSTransparent chamber containing plantsMass of formalin + 50ml beaker in each transparent chamber 0.01g2 days4 days6 days maiden2ndthird1st2nd3rd1st2nd3rdBoston fern (N. exaltata)46.95046.96046.96046.53046.54046.55046.23046.22046.220Janet Craig (D. deremensis)46.91046.91046.91046.52046.52046.51046.31046.31046.310Florists mum (C. morifolium)46.94046.94046.95046.61046.60046.61046.35046.34046.350Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata)46.97046.97046.97046.62046.62046.64046.43046.41046.410Snake plant (S. trifasciata)46.92046.91046.91046.62046.63046.61046.42046.41046.430Himalayan Balsam(I. glandulifera)46.94046.94046.93046.78046.79046.79046.72046.71046.720Note 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.10Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorretaone of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019nowadays?Transparent chamber containing plantsMass of formalin + 50ml beaker in each transparent chamber 0.01g8 days10 days12 days14 days1st2nd3rd1st2nd3rd1st2nd3rd1st2nd3rdBoston fern (N. exaltata)46.01046.03046.04045.48045.48045.47045.21045.22045.22044.95044.96044.980Janet Craig (D. deremensis)45.52045.53045.53045.03045.03045.02044.96044.96044.92044.58044.59044.580Florists mum (C. morifolium)45.55045.55045.56045.22045.21045.22044.94044.94044.95044.13044.13044.140Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata)45.50045.51045.51045.32045.35045.35044.98044.98044.99044.22044.23044.230Snake plant (S. trifasciata)45.89045.90045.89045.53045.53045.53045.14045.14045.12044.97044.96044.970Himalayan Balsam(I. glandulifera)46.68046.68046.68046.34046.34046.32046.29046.29047.30046.25046.24046.25010Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldeh yde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?Transparent chambercontaining plantsChange in colour of pH paper2 days4 days6 days8 days10 days12 days14 daysBoston fern (N. exaltata) commonalty leaves colour leaves immature leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesJanet Craig (D. deremensis)Green leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesYellow leavesBrown LeavesFlorists mum (C.morifolium)Green leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesWilted flowersWilted flowersYellow leavesYellow leavesK. queen fern (N. obliterata)Green leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesYellow leavesYellow leavesYellow leavesSnake plant (S. trifasciata)Green leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesGreen leavesH. Balsam (I. glandulifera)Green leavesGreen leavesYellow leavesYellow leavesYellow leavesBrown leavesBrown leaves evade 3 DAILY CONDITION OF PLANTS IN THE TRANSPARENT CHAMBERS IN 14 DAYSNote Only Florists mum (C.mor ifolium) 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.10Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?TABLE 4 CHANGE IN COLOUR OF pH PAPER WHEN pH OF FORMALIN FOR A DURATION OF TWO WEEKSTransparent chambercontaining plantsChange in colour of pH paper2 days4 days6 days8 days10 days12 days14 daysBoston fern (N. exaltata ) slatternly orangishness demoralize chromatic treeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeJanet Craig (D. deremensis)Light orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeFlorists mum (C. morifolium)Light orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeK. queen fern (N. obliterata)Light orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeL ight orangeLight orangeLight orangeSnake plant (S. trifasciata)Light orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeH. Balsam (I. glandulifera)Light orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeLight orangeNote The original colour of the pH paper is light yellow in colour10Are indoor plants adapted to get rid formaldehyde, Sipin, Elly Lorreta one of the noxious wastes commonly found at home 002348-019 nowadays?7.0 Data processing7.1 pH loss of formalinI discover that there are some changes in pH of the formalin in the transparent chamber. The following table shows the total divergence in the final and the initial pH of the formalin in each transparent chamber.TABLE 5 DIFFERENCE IN pH OF FORMALIN IN EACH TRANSPARENT CHAMBERTransparent chamber containing plantsFinal pHInitial pHDifference in pHBoston fern (N. exaltata)4.3103.5100.800Janet Craig (D. deremensis)4.4303.5100.920Florists mum (C. morifolium)4.6203.5101.110Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)4.1103.5100.600Snake plant (S. trifasciata)4.0303.5100.520Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)3.3503.5100.160Note The method to guide the pH of formalin in chamber containing Himalayan Balsam is inverted, since the pH value decreased so that negative value can be ignored.7.2 Data for mean mass of formalinThe following table shows the average mass of formalin + 50ml beaker for 14 daysTABLE 6 AVERAGE MASS OF FORMALIN + 50ml BEAKER IN EACH CHAMBER CONTAINING DIFFERENT PLANTS IN 14 DAYSTransparent chamber containing plantsaverage mass of formalin+50ml beaker in each chamber 0.01g sidereal day 2Day 4Day 6Day 8Day 10Day 12Day 14Boston fern (N. exaltata)46.96046.54046.22046.03045.48045.22044.960Janet Craig (D. deremensis)46.91046.52046.31045.53045.03044.95044.580Florists mum (C. morifolium)46.94046.61046.35045.55045.22044.54044.130K. queen fern (N. obliterate)46.97046.63046.42045.51045.34044.98044.240Snake plant (S. trifasciata)46.91046.62046.42045.89045.33045.13044.970 H. Balsam (I. glandulifera46.94046.79046.72046.68046.33046.29044.250Note The average masses were obtained by totaling up the three mass values in three trials, and divide it into three.7.3 Graph for the decreasing mass of formalinIn 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 beMass of formalin= ( mediocre mass of formalin+50ml beaker)-Average mass of 50ml beakerTABLE 7 MASS OF FORMALIN IN EVERY 50ml BEAKER CONTAINED IN TRANSPARENT CHAMBER WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTSTransparent chamber containing plantsMass of formalin 0.01g(Average mass of formalin+50ml beaker) Average mass of 50ml beakerDay 2Day 4Day 6Day 8Day 10Day 12Day 14Boston fern (N. exaltata)10.1709.7509.4309.2408.6908.4308.170Janet Craig (D. deremensis)10.1209.7309.5208.7408.2408.1607.790Florist s mum (C. morifolium)10.1509.8209.5608.7608.4308.1507.340K. queen fern (N. obliterate)10.1809.8409.6308.7608.4308.1507.450Snake plant (S. trifasciata)10.1209.8309.6309.1008.5408.3408.180H. Balsam (I. glandulifera10.15010.0009.9309.8909.5409.5009.460Note 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 followsgraph 1 decrease in mass of the formalin against number of days for each beaker containing formalin in every transparent chamberNote The graph shows quite obvious inclination of mass of formalin in all chambers except for the H. Balsam (I. glandulifera)7.4 Mass and percentage of formalin absorbedThe 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 pou red 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 followsTABLE 8 MASS OF FORMALIN ABSORBED BY PLANTS IN EACH CHAMBERName of plants in each chamberMass of formalin absorbedInitial mass (10.190)- Mass on the14th day 0.01gBoston fern (N. exaltata)2.020Janet Craig (D. deremensis)2.400Florists mum (C. morifolium)2.850Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)2.740Snake plant (S. trifasciata)2.010H. Balsam (I. glandulifera0.730Note 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 chambersPercentage of decrease in = Mass of formalin absorbed x 100%mass of formalin Initial mass of formalinTABLE 9 PERCENTAGE DECREASE IN MASS OF FORMALIN IN THE 50ml BEAKER IN RESPECTIVE TRANSPARENT CHAMBERTransparent chamber containing plantsPercentage of decrease in mass of formalin absorbedPercentage of decrease in mass of formalin (%)Boston fern (N. exaltata)2.020/10.190 x 10019.820Janet Craig (D. deremensis)2.400/10.190 x 10023.550Florists mum (C. morifolium)2.850/10.190 x 10027.970Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterate)2.740/10.190 x 10026.890Snake plant (S. trifasciata)2.010/10.190 x 10019.730Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)0.730/10.190 x 1007.160Note 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 formal in absorber would the plant be. The following diagram shows the ascent 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)Florists mum (C. morifolium)7.5 Calculation for mean, standard deviation and T-testTABLE 10 TABLE OF MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION FOR EVERY PLANTS CHOSENMass 0.01gPlantsBoston fern (N. exaltata)Janet Craig (D. deremensis)Florists mum (C. morifolium)Kimberly queen fern (N. obliterata)Snake plant (S. trifasciata)Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera)1st trial2.0002.3302.8102.0001.9500.6902nd trial2.0002.3202.8102.7401.9500.7003rd trial1.9802.3302.8102.7401.9400.680Mean1.9932.3272.8102.4931.9470.690Std. Dev0.0090.0050.0000.3490.0050.008Note The mean was determined by getting the passing of mass of formalin amongst 14th day with the 0 day initial mass.The formulation to calculate t-test is as followst-value =_____differenc e in mean___difference of standard errorTABLE 11 TABLE OF T-VALUE FOR THE COMPARISON OF MASS DECREASE MEAN BETWEEN BOSTON FERN (N. exaltata) AND JANET CRAIG (D. deremensis)Mass 0.01gPlantsBoston fern (N. exaltata)Janet Craig (D. deremensis)Difference between Boston fern and Janet Craig1 trial2.0002.3300.3302 trial2.0002.3200.3203 trial1.9802.3300.340Mean1.9932.3270.330Std. Dev0.0090.0050.008Std. Error1.1511.3430.191Degree of freedom2.000Critical value at 5% level4.300t-value1.728Null Hypothesis There is no significance difference for decrease in mass between Boston fern (N. exaltata) and Janet Craig (D. deremensis) t = 1.728 Thus, null hypothesis is rejected. The mean difference is not significantTABLE 12 TABLE OF T-VALUE FOR THE COMPARISON OF MASS DECREASE MEAN BETWEEN BOSTON FERN (N. exaltata) AND FLORISTS MUM (C. morifolium)Null Hypothesis There is no significance difference for decrease in mass between Boston fern (N. exaltata) and Florists mum (C. morifolium)Mass 0.01gPlantsBo ston fern (N. exaltata)Florists mum (C. morifolium)Difference between Boston fern and Florists mum