Science Fair Project

Plant Biology
Can Water Plants Be Used To Determine
Water Quality?
Time Required: 2-4 weeks
Cost Low ($20 - $50)
Material Availability:
Duckweed can be purchased from plant nurseries, or you can also find it
growing naturally in local ponds and marshes. If you find duckweed in a local
water source, make sure you get permission from the land owner or town
before taking any.
Abstract:
Some plants grow only in water-environments. These plants are usually
native to wetlands and are important for the sustainability of aquatic
ecosystems. Wetland ecosystems are very fragile and susceptible to the
toxic dumping of sewage and fertilizer run-off from neighboring farm land.
One very common aquatic plant called duckweed inhabits many wetland
marshes. Duckweed grows by asexual reproduction and floats at the surface
of the water with tiny roots extending into the water below. Can you find
duckweed from a local pond or wetland? You can grow the duckweed at
home in bowls of water. Will the duckweed grow well in different types of
water? Will it grow better in bottled mineral water than when using tap
water? What will happen to duckweed grown in acidic water, or water with
fertilizer? Are there other types of water contaminants you can test with
duckweed? Consult the Measuring Plant Growth page for tips on how to
determine which duckweed is growing the most.
MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Can Water Plants Be Used to Determine Water

Quality?" Science Buddies. Science Buddies, 30 June 2014. Mon. 6 Oct.
2014 http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas/PlantBio_p030.shtml)
APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2014, June 30). Can Water Plants Be Used to
Determine Water Quality?. Retrieved October 6, 2014 from
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas/PlantBio_p030.shtml
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water_quality/quality2/j-5-08-determinewater-quality.htm
Bibliography:
Notes:
Hypothesis:
Resources:

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Day 6

Microwav Purifie Froze Dirt

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water water

Day 1

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Microwav Purifie Froze

ed water
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water water

Day 4

Dirt water

Duckweed
Fartwort
Water hy