The Effect of Nylon, PET, and Polystyrene Microplastics on Dugesia tigrina Reproduction
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Plastic waste products are often found littered throughout the environment. When organisms digest plastic, microplastics are left in their system. Therefore, these microplastics are present in virtually all living organisms, including humans. The purpose of this experiment was to discern which type of microplastic has the least harmful impact on Dugesia tigrina as a model organism for other animals and the environment. It was hypothesized that if Dugesia tigrina were exposed to polystyrene, nylon, or PET, then the brown planaria would reproduce at the lowest rate in the presence of polystyrene. Polystyrene contains toxic chemicals, which, when this plastic is broken down, are released. Polyethylene terephthalate and nylon are also known for being more hygienic and safe plastics. The effect of microplastics on brown planaria was tested by adding 0.3g of nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene to three different beakers of water containing planaria, with an additional beaker without microplastics as a control. Planaria in each culture were counted every three days for two weeks to measure the rate of reproduction. The results were analyzed using a Chi Square Goodness of Fit test at the end of the experiment to see how the plastic affected different cultures. The results of the test showed x^2 values < 9.488, meaning that none of the plastics had a significant effect on the rate of planaria reproduction.
Recommended Citation
Gardiner, Mary Ann, "The Effect of Nylon, PET, and Polystyrene Microplastics on Dugesia tigrina Reproduction" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 76.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/76
Location
BS 355
Start Date
3-25-2023 9:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Nylon, PET, and Polystyrene Microplastics on Dugesia tigrina Reproduction
BS 355
Plastic waste products are often found littered throughout the environment. When organisms digest plastic, microplastics are left in their system. Therefore, these microplastics are present in virtually all living organisms, including humans. The purpose of this experiment was to discern which type of microplastic has the least harmful impact on Dugesia tigrina as a model organism for other animals and the environment. It was hypothesized that if Dugesia tigrina were exposed to polystyrene, nylon, or PET, then the brown planaria would reproduce at the lowest rate in the presence of polystyrene. Polystyrene contains toxic chemicals, which, when this plastic is broken down, are released. Polyethylene terephthalate and nylon are also known for being more hygienic and safe plastics. The effect of microplastics on brown planaria was tested by adding 0.3g of nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene to three different beakers of water containing planaria, with an additional beaker without microplastics as a control. Planaria in each culture were counted every three days for two weeks to measure the rate of reproduction. The results were analyzed using a Chi Square Goodness of Fit test at the end of the experiment to see how the plastic affected different cultures. The results of the test showed x^2 values < 9.488, meaning that none of the plastics had a significant effect on the rate of planaria reproduction.
