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Listing of Intel ISEF Project Abstracts
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2003 - EV001
THE EFFECTS OF NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC CHELATES ON IRON UPTAKE FROM PHOSPHOGYPSUM BY WATER HYACINTH
Megan Kathleen Bartlett
F. W. Springstead High School, Spring Hill, Florida, United States of America
I hypothesized that natural chelate citric acid would help water hyacinth plants take up iron more than synthetic chelate EDTA would because, as a main root
exudate for iron chelation, plant transport systems would have a high affinity for it. I put 28L of water, 2.72kg of phosphogypsum and 7 water hyacinths in 12
plastic tubs. I put 5.21g of EDTA in four tubs, 3.43g of citric acid in four tubs and nothing in the last four. They grew for 8 weeks in a greenhouse, then I tested
them for iron content at the environmental lab with an Atomic Absorption machine. Pieces of plant from each tub were dried in a drying oven overnight, then 1g
of each was mixed with 5ml of water and 10ml of nitric acid and put on a hot plate at 100C for two hours. Then, each was filtered and the liquid that passed
through was taken up to volume (100ml). The concentrations were too high for the machine, so 10ml of each sample was put in 100ml of water. The samples
and several standards (to ensure accuracy) were put in the AA machine. The iron concentrations are as follows (in ppm):<br><br>Control tubs:CON-1
1780ppm, CON-2 988, CON-3 508,CON-4 2420 Citric tubs:CIT-1 414ppm, CIT-2 2210, CIT-3 2020, CIT-4 2620 EDTA tubs:EDTA-1 2560, EDTA-2 1260,
EDTA-3 6940, EDTA-4 4480 My hypothesis was incorrect. Iron concentrations in the EDTA tubs were on average) 2x those in the citric acid tubs and 2.5x
those in the control tubs. EDTA- iron bonds are also stronger than citric acid-iron bonds, but iron is the metal citric acid has the highest affinity for. Most likely,
the difference is because EDTA- metal bonds are broken before metal uptake so the EDTA level remains constant, while the citric acid-metal complexes are
taken whole into the plant, lowering the citric acid level.
2003 - EV002
MULCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, OR IS IT? A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF ARSENIC LEVELS IN LANDSCAPE MULCH
Katharine Blaire Taylor
Palatka High School, Palatka, Florida, USA
The most widely used preservative for pressure-treated lumber is Chromate Copper Arsenate (CCA). Arsenic, a toxic chemical, leaches from the wood into the
environment. Concern over this and the pressure from environmental groups led the wood products industry to voluntarily agree to phaseout the commercial
production of CCA-treated wood by 2004. However, there is concern over the disposal practice of recycling this wood as mulch.<br><br> This project evaluates
various brands of mulch to determine if they contain arsenic and, if so, if the arsenic will leach from the mulch. <br><br> Several brands of mulch were
purchased. Each mulch was placed in a labeled bucket and mixed in a vinegar and water solution for ten days. Samples of each liquid and of each of the
mulches were then collected and labeled. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis. Both the solid and liquid samples were analyzed in an Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA) to determine the arsenic concentrations.<br><br> The average concentration of the dry mulch samples was 0.40
milligrams per kilogram. The leachate concentration of the liquid samples averaged 6.84 micrograms per liter. The dyed mulches had about a 50% higher
arsenic concentration in the leachate than did the regular mulches. <br><br> Finally, since the mulches and the leachates were found to contain arsenic, it can
be concluded that the hypothesis - if mulch is contaminated with arsenic, then the arsenic will be measurable in the mulch itself and will be detectable in the
leachate - was proven to be true.
Awards won at the 2003 ISEF
Award of Merit of $250 - Society of Exploration Geophysicists
2003 - EV003
DO PESTICIDES, INTENDED TO CONTROL MOSQUITOES, HAVE A NEGATIVE AFFECT ON BUTTERFLY LARVAE AND ADULTS
Jarrod Thomas Fostier
Wildwood High School, Wildwood, FL, U.S.A.
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The purpose of this project is to observe the effect of pesticides, sprayed to control mosquitoes and the potential outbreak of the West Nile Virus, on the
butterfly larvae population in the Wildwood, FL area.<br><br> To do this project, this researcher will first go to a local Butterfly Garden and observe and identify
the butterflies and butterfly larvae. This researcher will count and derive an estimate of the larvae population in the area. For the following eight weeks, this
researcher will observe and count or estimate the number of butterfly larvae on Sundays and Wednesdays, before spraying and again on Tuesdays and
Fridays, after spraying. The city sprays for mosquitoes every Monday and Thursday night, unless it rains.<br><br> This researcher's hypothesis predicts that
the pesticides will have a terminal affect on the larvae, causing a severe depletion in the potential butterfly population. After repeated observation of the
butterfly larvae, before and after spraying, this researcher concluded his hypothesis was correct. Indeed, the pesticide did harm the butterfly larvae. It actually
killed nearly every one of the larvae in the garden. This researcher documented approximately three hundred less larvae after spraying, over eight week's time.
<br><br>
2003 - EV004
THE EFFECT OF CERIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB) TOXICITY IN CULTURED BRAIN CELLS
Andrew Gordon Cook
Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando, Florida USA
Nanobiology applies engineering concepts nanotechnology to biological systems, providing novel opportunities to intervene in biological functions or disease
processes. The present research merges the science of nanoscale materials with cell biology to intervene in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) neurotoxicity.<br>
<br> An estimated one billion pounds of PCB has been released into the environment, making them the most widely distributed class of chlorinated pollutants.
Because of their persistence, the impact of PCBs on fragile ecosystems and human health is of great concern.<br><br> Mixed organotypic cultures of rat brain
cells containing neurons, astrocytes, and microglia were exposed to different concentrations of PCB mixtures (Aroclor 1242 & 1254, 1ug-30ug/ml medium) for
24 hours. Live/Dead Assays with propidium iodide demonstrated that concentrations of PCB as low as 5ug/ml medium resulted in dramatic increases in cell
death. Examination of neuronal signal transduction with the calcium indicator dye Fura-2, suggested PCBs altered neuronal calcium signaling in a biphasic
manner. At high concentrations, basal and neurotransmitter-stimulated signaling was dramatically enhanced, suggesting an excitotoxic response. Pre-treatment
of cultures with Cerium Oxide nanoparticles on day 10 of culture preserved normal neuronal signaling in PCB-treated cultures and blunted excitotoxicity. In
contrast, at low concentrations of PCBs, calcium signaling was decreased or abolished. Effects of nanoparticles on low doses of PCBs are presently under
study.<br><br> Susceptibility of brain cells to low doses of PCBs seem to confirm many medical studies which report that exposure to low levels of PCBs
causes significant mental decline in humans. Sensitivity of brain cells to these chemicals even after two decades of discontinued use points to still existing
environmental dangers of PCBs. Present research indicates potential benefits of nanotechnology in resisting damage by this chemical pollutant.
Awards won at the 2003 ISEF
Second Award of $1,500 - Environmental Sciences - Presented by the Environmental Protection Agency
Second Place Award of $250 - Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
2003 - EV005
AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF PHOSPHATES ON THE SCIOTO RIVER
Winifred Margaret Lo
Upper Arlington High School, Columbus, Ohio, USA
As of 2001, seventy-three percent of the Scioto River's pollution problem is caused by nutrient enrichment. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate
how phosphates could harm the river by fueling the growth of harmful algal blooms (HAB), looking specifically at algal effects on dissolved oxygen (DO) and
reactive phosphate. Water samples from the Olentangy River Wetland (ORW) were used to represent a "normal" water system. Both samples from the Scioto
River and the ORW received 100mL freshwater algae and 100mL of a concentration of orthophosphate. These samples were observed over an eight-week
period of experimentation. It was found that excess phosphates cause a delay and decrease in algal growth in the Scioto River. There was a direct relationship
with the amount of phosphates and growth time to the pH levels of the water samples. This resulted in an increase in alkalinity 75% of the time. Also, reactive
phosphate levels had a dramatic decrease in measurements during the growth period, and slowly increased over the period of death of the algal populations.
No conclusions can be drawn from the results of the DO data, though it is believed the algae might decrease DO concentrations. In conclusion, the Scioto River
is at risk of developing HABs. Unless the problem with nutrient enrichment is dealt with by the City of Columbus, HABs could potentially cause the death,
extinction, or dangerment of several mussel, fish, and macroinvertabrate species that live primarily in the Scioto River system.
2003 - EV006
ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN SULPHIDE IN SMOKE AND SEWAGE
Man Sum Chi
Hong Kong Chinese Women's Club College, HKSAR, China.
Hydrogen sulphide is a poisonous gas and can cause death in concentrations over 600 ppm. Its concentration in different samples of smoke and wastewater
were analyzed and scrubbing solution tested to remove hydrogen sulphide from the wastewater.<br><br> The contents of the samples were complex and their
concentrations of H2S were very low, so the conventional titrametric and calibration technique were found to be inadequate; hence an ion selective electrode
(ISE) Ag/Ag2S electrode was made, a standardized HS- solution was prepared and these, together with Gran plot were used to determine the concentration of
HS- in smoke and sewage samples.<br><br> It was found that mosquito coils and joss sticks did not produce any H2S. Direct smoke contained more H2S than
passive smoke. The H2S level of the smoke from one cigarette was well below the lethal level. Industrial sewage of higher acidity had a higher H2S content
than that of domestic sewage.<br><br> The self-made Ag/Ag2S electrode is economical and provides a fast and effective means of detecting HS- ions. Very
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low concentrations of H2S (10-5 to 10-6 M) can be accurately found. Scrubbing solution can remove H2S in wastewater. This is appealing from an
environmental perspective, since the reagent iodine can be reused many times.<br><br> Investigation into the comparative H2S toxicity levels of different
brands of smoking products and the invention of a compact instrument for measuring H2S concentration directly would be of value. <br><br> <br><br>
2003 - EV007
THE EFFECT OF AERATED BARLEY STRAW LIQUOR ON SELENASTRUM CAPRICORNUTUM A GREEN ALGAE
Elizabeth Jean Welsh
Proctor High School, Proctor, Minnesota
Eutrophication is a problem for many of Minnesota’s lakes. Chemical algaecides have been used in the past. Selenastrum capricornutum is a green alga often
used as a biological indicator. This study is to determine if concentrated and diluted barley straw liquor inhibits the growth of Selenastrum capricornutum, a
green algae. Also if the rotting time and aeration of barley straw will affect the resulting liquors ability to inhibit algal growth. The hypotheses are that barley
straw liquor will inhibit the growth of Selenastrum capricornutum and that the liquor concentration will affect the inhibition. Also, inhibition will be the greatest
after two weeks of rotting for the non-aerated, but longer for the aerated buckets. Five plastic buckets with 10 grams of barley straw and one liter of 0.1%
fertilized water were allowed to sit in a grow lab over five weeklong intervals. Fertilized and plain water were used as controls. One hundred and ten, 40 milliliter
liquor samples were inoculated with one milliliter of algae and incubated in a grow lab for seven days. The chlorophyll a concentration was determined. The
results show that barley straw liquor does significantly inhibit Selenastrum capricornutum with a p-value of less than 0.05 and that the rotting time and
concentration of barley liquor does have and affect, p less than 0.001 using a Univariate ANOVA test. Aeration, however, did not have an overall affect on the
inhibition of algae. Barley straw can be used to inhibit algal growth even in oxygen-limited situations.
Awards won at the 2003 ISEF
Third Award of $1,000 - Environmental Sciences - Presented by the Environmental Protection Agency
2003 - EV008
WHICH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR HAS THE GREATEST IMPACT ON DISSOLVED OXYGEN?
Sara K. Sullivan
Union Scioto High School Chillicothe, Ohio United states
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the small amount of oxygen dissolved in water. DO is essential for the respiration of fish, aquatic animals, microorganisms and
plants. To maintain a healthy aquatic ecosystem, an adequate amount of DO must be present in water. Naturally occurring environmental factors such as
barometric pressure, water turbulence, water temperatures, and turbidity can influence DO levels. This project was designed to determine which environmental
factor exerted the greatest impact on the DO levels in three local streams. It was hypothesized that turbidity would exert the greatest influence in the DO levels
in water. Turbidity is a measure of the suspended solid matters that affects the clarity of water. High turbidity levels may cause bodies of water to lose their
ability to support a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Twenty-one water samples were collected over a seven-week period from each of the three area streams. DO
readings in each sample were calculated using a commercial water testing kit. Using a different testing kit, the turbidity levels of each sample were also
calculated. Barometric pressure, water temperature, and surface water velocity were also gathered. A regression analysis was performed in order to determine
the relationship between each variable and the DO in each sample. The analysis revealed that turbidity had the greatest impact on DO. As turbidity increased,
the DO decreased. The long-term monitoring of DO in bodies of water can be a valuable tool in evaluating and maintaining the health of any aquatic
ecosystem.
2003 - EV009
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF INCREASE RAINFALL ON THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF COMMON
PaCha Leena Yang
John A. Johnson Senior High School St. Paul, MN USA
Rhmanus cathartica, (Common buckthorn) as become one of the most prolific environmental problems in North America. Preliminary experimentation to
confirm the allelopathic effect of Rhamnus catharica constructed tissue leachates, did not have an inhibitory effect in bioassays with Lolium multiflorum
(ryegrass seeds), compared to the strong effect observed in tests ran in previous experiments (Yang/Her 2001).<br><br> Formulated null hypothesizes states
that various environmental factors have an influence over the production of this allelochemical. The null hypothesis was formulated on the basis that there was
a considerable change in one environmental factor, the amount of rainfall this year compared to the rainfall of previous years, where constructed leachates
produced strong inhibitory affects. The formulated hypothesis states that Rhamnus cathartica shrubs’ are affected by the increase in rainfall which may produce
floods, resulting in less production of allelopathic compounds. <br><br> Biotic root and leaf materials were taken from these different environments. Aqueous
extracts of the biotic tissues were used in bioassays with Lolium multiflorm (Annual ryegrass) seeds to determine their inhibitory affects.<br><br> Two potted
sets of shrubs, each with different applications of water, represented last year’s and this year’s rainfall (being twice compared to the average).<br><br> The
hypothesis and null hypothesizes of this project was supported in the findings when using One-way Analysis of Variance to analyze true random samples of the
collected data (growth of ryegrass seeds) of over 3,000 petri plates. Understanding factors that may influence the production of inhibitory compounds in
Common buckthorn shrubs may prove to help decrease the production of those chemicals. <br><br>
2003 - EV010
ARE SEDIMENTS FROM THE SAINT LUCIE ESTUARY, FLORIDA, U.S.A. HAZARDOUS?
Sylvia Stella Stoffella
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John Carroll Catholic High School, Fort Pierce, FL, USA
These experiments were conducted to assess heavy metals, nutrients, and chemical properties of the sediment located in the North and South Forks of the St.
Lucie River, FL. These properties can affect marine life. Heavy metals, nutrients, and sediments can accumulate in a water body through run-off from housing
developments and agricultural farms. Sediments samples (0-427 cm depth) were obtained from both forks. Each 15 cm section of sediment was analyzed for
available nutrients (K, P, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Na), total and available heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cu), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). Samples
were replicated three times for heavy metals and nutrients and two times for pH and EC. pH of sediments from both forks was more acidic in lower depths and
neutral to alkaline in upper depths. The sediment from both forks had EC that varied from 1.94 to 3.02 uS/cm. Available nutrients and Na concentrations varied
within sediment depths. These nutrients may be released into water if sediments become disturbed (hurricanes, rainfall, etc.). The increased nutrient
concentrations may alter pH, EC, and salt levels, and also increase algae blooms that can reduce dissolved oxygen levels. Sediments (in several samples)
from both forks contained total heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu) concentrations that exceeded the Threshold Effect Level (TEL), which is considered
hazardous by the FL Dep. Env. Protection (FDEP). Each heavy metal had available concentrations that were lower than the total concentrations and never
exceeded their respective TEL. The FDEP should take into consideration the available as well as total concentrations for heavy metals when establishing
threshold levels for hazardous sediments. <br><br> <br><br><br> <br><br><br> <br><br> <br><br>
2003 - EV011
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FLOW OF BACTERIA IN THE ATMOSPHERE ON TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS: A THREE YEAR STUDY
Timothy Calvin Borden
Canterbury School, Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America
African dust storms are acting as transport mechanisms for the flow of bacteria in the atmosphere. Annually, as much as one billion tons of African dust blows
off the Sahara desert. I examined the potential environmental impacts of bacteria transported by these African dust storms on terrestrial ecosystems.<br><br>
After researching African dust storms and obtaining satellite images from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, I found that African dust was
impacting the Americas and the Mediterranean. I obtained air samples that were taken during African dust storms in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
and Erdemli, Turkey. I also obtained air samples during clear atmospheric conditions in the Caribbean. All of the air samples were collected by contacts at the
United States Geological Survey. I isolated and identified bacteria by amplifying the 16S rDNA sequence of each bacterium using Polymerase Chain Reaction.
The bacterial 16S rDNA was sent to the University of Florida for sequencing. Using the GenBank Blast search, I compared the isolated bacterial DNA to the
DNA of identified bacteria.<br><br> After identification, I reviewed the general characteristics, origin, and pathogenicity of these bacteria in order to predict their
ecological repercussions. Bacteria isolated from all locations were compared and analyzed. The results suggest that there is an increase in the number of
pathogenic bacteria with the presence of African dust. Additionally, trends emerged pertaining to the origin, genus, and phylogenetic relationship of these
bacteria. The implications of bacteria, traveling through the atmosphere, represent a new frontier of environmental research.<br><br>
Awards won at the 2003 ISEF
Honorable Mention Awards - American Meteorological Society
Third Award of $1,000 - Environmental Sciences - Presented by the Environmental Protection Agency
First Award of $200 - Patent and Trademark Office / U.S.Department of Commerce / Patent and Trademark Office Society
2003 - EV012
BIOBASED GREASE: THE GREASE OF THE FUTURE AVAIABLE TODAY
Joseph Michael Searcy
Colquitt County High School, Moultrie, GA USA
In this project the researcher engineered a biobased grease (containing at least 51% organic products) with an extreme pressure (EP) agent to compare with
conventional greases with toxic EP agents. The researcher wanted to find a more environmentally acceptable EP agent to use with an organic base oil and
thickener to form a biobased grease equal to or better than conventional synthetic greases.<br><br>The student developed a frictional wear tester to compare
different greases and EP agents. After the researcher chose his best grease, it was then tested and compared to commercial petroleum grease. The research
and recorded data prove the grease engineered by the researcher was the most desirable of the two greases. The outcome of these tests, and the benefits
biobased grease has on the environment (it's cheaper, safer, and uses no petroleum) put it in the running as a grease of the future.<br><br>
Awards won at the 2003 ISEF
Third Award of $200 and matching grant to winner's school - Bureau of Reclamation/U.S. Department of the Interior
One all expense paid trip to London International Youth Science Forum, $3,000 in savings bonds, $300 from the Association of the United States Army, a gold
medallion and Certificate of Achievement. - U.S. Army
First Awards of $3,000 - U.S. Air Force
2003 - EV013
PHYTOREMEDIATION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CHINESE BRAKE FERN AND INDIAN MUSTARD ON UPTAKE OF ARSENIC FROM
THREE TYPES OF SOIL
Kevin Michael Cronin
Sarasota High School, Sarasota, FL, United States
The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) Which of two plants, the Chinese Brake fern (Pteris vittata) or the Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) accumulates the
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