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Biology P&D Lab

The document investigates whether biodegradable materials decompose faster when exposed to air compared to when sealed from air. The hypothesis suggests that aerobic microorganisms in oxygen-rich environments enhance decomposition rates. The experiment involves comparing the mass loss of biodegradable materials in two containers over two weeks, one exposed to air and the other sealed, while controlling for various factors.

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Kiara Golding 7F
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8 views3 pages

Biology P&D Lab

The document investigates whether biodegradable materials decompose faster when exposed to air compared to when sealed from air. The hypothesis suggests that aerobic microorganisms in oxygen-rich environments enhance decomposition rates. The experiment involves comparing the mass loss of biodegradable materials in two containers over two weeks, one exposed to air and the other sealed, while controlling for various factors.

Uploaded by

Kiara Golding 7F
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title:

Investigating the Effect of Air Exposure on the Decomposition Rate of


Biodegradable Materials

Problem Statement:
Do biodegradable objects decompose faster when exposed to air compared to
when not exposed to air?

Hypothesis:
Biodegradable objects decompose faster when exposed to air due to the
presence of aerobic microorganisms that thrive in oxygen-rich environments.

Aim:
To determine whether biodegradable objects decompose faster when exposed to
air or when deprived of air.

Materials/Equipment:
1. Two transparent containers with lids
2. Organic biodegradable materials (e.g., banana peels or vegetable scraps)
3. Soil (equal amounts for each container)
4. Measuring scale (for mass of materials)
5. Thermometer (optional, to monitor temperature changes)
6. Water spray bottle (to maintain moisture)
7. Stopwatch or timer
8. Marker for labeling

Procedure:
1. Label the two containers as Container A (exposed to air) and Container
B (not exposed to air).
2. Place an equal mass of biodegradable material (e.g., 50g) in both
containers.
3. Add an equal amount of soil (e.g., 500g) on top of the biodegradable
material in each container.
4. In Container A, leave the lid open or create air holes for ventilation.
5. In Container B, seal the container tightly to prevent air exposure.
6. Keep both containers in the same location, ensuring identical temperature
and light conditions.
7. Add a small amount of water to both containers periodically to maintain
moisture levels.
8. Record observations (e.g., changes in color, texture, or odor) every 3-5
days.
9. At the end of the experiment (e.g., after 2 weeks), measure the remaining
mass of the biodegradable material in both containers.

Variables:
 Independent Variable: Air exposure (open vs. sealed container)
 Dependent Variable: Rate of decomposition (measured by change in
mass)
 Controlled Variables:
o Type and mass of biodegradable material

o Amount of soil

o Moisture levels

o Environmental conditions (temperature and light)

Data Collection:
Create a table to record:
 Initial mass of biodegradable material
 Observations (e.g., physical changes, odor) over time
 Final mass of material after decomposition period

Expected Results:
It is expected that the biodegradable material in Container A (exposed to air)
will decompose faster due to the activity of aerobic microorganisms, while the
material in Container B (not exposed to air) will decompose more slowly
because anaerobic decomposition is less efficient.

Shortened Method:
Place equal amounts of biodegradable material and soil in two containers.
Leave one container open (air exposure) and seal the other.
Maintain moisture and identical conditions for both.
Observe changes and weigh materials after two weeks.

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