Aquaponics Post #1
Investigation Plan
Problem/Question:
When placed in an aquaponics system, which plant, basil (Ocimun basilicum) or peppermint (Mentha piperita), will have a higher rate of primary productivity?
Hypothesis:
When placed in an aquaponics system, peppermint will have a higher rate of primary productivity than basil.
Methodology/Protocol:
The primary productivity of the plants will be quantified through the calculation of the plant's average growth rate. We've come to believe that the more a plant grows, the more productive it will be. This is because with a greater leaf surface area, the plant will photosynthesize more often, producing a greater amount of organic compounds, overall.
Materials:
1. Set up the aquaponics system depicted to the left with the given materials.
2. Place a lamp on either side of the tank.
3. There should be 5 pots for each plant species. Each pot should have 2 seeds (same plant species for each pot)
4. Cut holes in the floating raft large enough to fit the pots.
5. Create a table to record the number of leaves, average leaf length (mm), average leaf width (mm), and average growth rate of each plant. The table should be divided into two primary sections (one for each plant species).
6. Calculate the average growth rate after the seeds have germinated and begun sprouting leaves (around 14 days), and collect data for the chart (number of leaves, length, and width).
7. Measure leaf growth every 3 days and record changes in the chart.
After 90 days, measure percent growth in the leaves between the two plants using the formula: (L2 - L1)/T where L1 is the first leaf count, L2 is the second leaf count, and T is the number of days between each.
Data Collection:
What: We'll calculate the average growth rate of each plant species by using the leaves (size and quantity).
How: We'll measure the number of leaved and their sizes. Then, we will utilize the average growth rate formulas:
How data will be reported/presented:
Data will be reported in tables (including the number of leaves, length, width, and growth rate) and will be presented in a line graph.
How data will be analyzed:
Whichever plant has a higher average growth rate will be considered to have a higher primary productivity.
Problem/Question:
When placed in an aquaponics system, which plant, basil (Ocimun basilicum) or peppermint (Mentha piperita), will have a higher rate of primary productivity?
Hypothesis:
When placed in an aquaponics system, peppermint will have a higher rate of primary productivity than basil.
Methodology/Protocol:
The primary productivity of the plants will be quantified through the calculation of the plant's average growth rate. We've come to believe that the more a plant grows, the more productive it will be. This is because with a greater leaf surface area, the plant will photosynthesize more often, producing a greater amount of organic compounds, overall.
Materials:
- 10 goldfish
- 15 gallon tank
- Large floating raft
- 10 netted pots
- 10 basil seeds
- 10 peppermint seeds
- Goldfish food pellets
- 2 Lamps (on either side of the system)
- Air pump
- Clay pebbles
- Ruler
1. Set up the aquaponics system depicted to the left with the given materials.
2. Place a lamp on either side of the tank.
3. There should be 5 pots for each plant species. Each pot should have 2 seeds (same plant species for each pot)
4. Cut holes in the floating raft large enough to fit the pots.
5. Create a table to record the number of leaves, average leaf length (mm), average leaf width (mm), and average growth rate of each plant. The table should be divided into two primary sections (one for each plant species).
6. Calculate the average growth rate after the seeds have germinated and begun sprouting leaves (around 14 days), and collect data for the chart (number of leaves, length, and width).
7. Measure leaf growth every 3 days and record changes in the chart.
After 90 days, measure percent growth in the leaves between the two plants using the formula: (L2 - L1)/T where L1 is the first leaf count, L2 is the second leaf count, and T is the number of days between each.
- Independent Variable: The plant species (basil or peppermint)
- Dependent Variable: Productivity of the plants (average growth rate as a percentage)
- Control Variables: Fish species (Goldfish: Carassius auratus), water quality (pH and temperature), growing medium, amount of time for plants to grow, and light exposure
Data Collection:
What: We'll calculate the average growth rate of each plant species by using the leaves (size and quantity).
How: We'll measure the number of leaved and their sizes. Then, we will utilize the average growth rate formulas:
- (L2 - L1)/T where L1 is the first leaf count, L2 is the second leaf count, and T is the number of days between each.
- (S2-S1)/T where S1 is first surface area measurement, and S2 is second surface area measurement, and T equals the number of days between each.
How data will be reported/presented:
Data will be reported in tables (including the number of leaves, length, width, and growth rate) and will be presented in a line graph.
How data will be analyzed:
Whichever plant has a higher average growth rate will be considered to have a higher primary productivity.