The Effect of Elodea canadensis on Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Fluoride in water at certain levels can be dangerous to human health. The purpose of this experiment was to test if the plant, Elodea canadensis, would be an effective method of filtration for fluoride. It was hypothesized that if Elodea canadensis was used to filter water, levels of fluoride in water will decrease due to herbaceous plants being effective in water filtration. Thirty Elodea plants were separated into three different test groups with different levels of fluoride dissolved in water. The groups were as follows: Group 1, 2g of fluoride, Group 2, 7g of fluoride, and the third, a control group containing no fluoride at all. The concentration (ppm) of the fluoride was measured over a period of 120 hours. Data collected over the period ultimately showed inconsistent results with the observed fluoride concentration numbers fluctuating greatly. It would be important that this experimentation be replicated due to the potential negative effect that fluoride concentrations in water can have on people. Data analysis would involve comparing mean, median, min, max, interquartile range, quartiles 1-3, and the median. As well as the use of a two-way ANOVA to compare the mean values in each group. Data tables will be presented along with appropriate graphs to show trends.
Recommended Citation
Chigoba, Everlast, "The Effect of Elodea canadensis on Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water" (2022). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 15.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2022/all/15
Location
HSS 214
Start Date
4-2-2022 11:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Elodea canadensis on Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water
HSS 214
Fluoride in water at certain levels can be dangerous to human health. The purpose of this experiment was to test if the plant, Elodea canadensis, would be an effective method of filtration for fluoride. It was hypothesized that if Elodea canadensis was used to filter water, levels of fluoride in water will decrease due to herbaceous plants being effective in water filtration. Thirty Elodea plants were separated into three different test groups with different levels of fluoride dissolved in water. The groups were as follows: Group 1, 2g of fluoride, Group 2, 7g of fluoride, and the third, a control group containing no fluoride at all. The concentration (ppm) of the fluoride was measured over a period of 120 hours. Data collected over the period ultimately showed inconsistent results with the observed fluoride concentration numbers fluctuating greatly. It would be important that this experimentation be replicated due to the potential negative effect that fluoride concentrations in water can have on people. Data analysis would involve comparing mean, median, min, max, interquartile range, quartiles 1-3, and the median. As well as the use of a two-way ANOVA to compare the mean values in each group. Data tables will be presented along with appropriate graphs to show trends.
