By: John Riediger and Eric Smith Posted on: 3/11/98

Our project was to observe what happens to plants if they are exposed to acid rain. Rain is considered acidic if its pH is lower than 5.6. Acid rain is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. The sulfur dioxide reacts with ozone in the air to form sulfuric acid which is washed back down to Earth by precipitation.

Materials:

3 Seeds (cantaloupe)

3 Pots with soil in them

1 Solution of water with a pH of 7 (neutral)

1 Solution of water with a pH of 5

1 Solution of water with a pH of 2

3 Eyedroppers or spray bottles

Light source

Directions:

1) Plant each seed in a pot

2) Label plants A, B, and C

3) Place plants in light

4) Water as needed for 2 weeks or until plants are sufficiently large enough for you experiment

5) Spritz or put drops of the pH 7 solution on plant A (This will be the control)

6) Spritz or put drops of the pH 5 solution on plant B

7) Spritz or put drops of the pH 2 solution on plant C

8) Repeat steps 5-7 for two more days or as long as you experiment is to last

9) Take a picture before and after each day

10) At the end of the time period observe and record the results

We followed the above steps with the materials listed and then recorded our results. Plant A was not damaged at all. Plant B started to show damage at the end of the second day, but was only moderately damaged by the end of the time period. Plant C showed damage within a few minutes, and by the end of the second day it had been destroyed and died.

In conclusion, we learned that plants will be damaged by acid rain. We also learned that the damage will be worse and occur faster when the acid is lower.

Write for more information, John's email address: gremlinx@hotmail.com

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