Instructions and Worksheet for Decomposition Lab
NAME(S):
read the background section of the waste decomposition lab (pdf file) – on canvas under LAB MODULE on waste decomposition.
TRASH BURIAL
Litter Bag and hole size (none if plastic bag)
1
Large black plastic bag
2
Laundry mesh bag (1/16” hole size)
3
Small canvas bag – string tied top
Food Waste
2 eggshells, 2 corn on the cob, 2+ avocado slices – covered in coffee grounds, coffee grounds with paper filter (and plastic bag it came in), grapes, strawberries, blackberries, potato
Corn husks, paper plate with coffee grounds (and paper filter); eggshells, banana peel, avocado slices with coffee grounds, grapes, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries
Orange peel, eggshell, corn husk, grapes, small cake piece
Paper
Newspaper
Newspapers
Newspaper
Hello fresh paper bag
Hello fresh paper bag
3 paper towels
Haagen daz container and lid
Triscuit box
Coconut milk cardboard
3 paper towels
Snack pak cardboard packaging
1 piece paper
Mac and cheese packet
Mail/flyers
1 envelope
cardboard holders (around trash bags I bought at walmart)
Plastic
Water bottle
3 small bottles
3-4 plastic bags
2 glasses with thick straws
Dogfood can
Nuts/fruit snack pak
Plastic bag
2-3bags (salad, dog chew sticks)
Blackberry container
Plastic baggie – 2 small bottles inside, cupcake wrapper – paper ??
Aluminum Cans
Aluminum lid; aluminum foil
Yard waste
Leaves, pine needles, white rose (petals intact)
Leaves, pine needles
Leaves, pine needles, white rose (petals intact)
Other
Styrofoam cup
WHICH OF THE FOOD ITEMS DO YOU THINK WOULD BE FOUND AFTER 3 MONTHS BURIAL PERIOD – OR WHAT STATE OF DECOMPOSITION? Can base it on your own internet search for decomposition rates or on 2 articles included with lab – also under Lab course MODULE on waste decomposition (Measuring Biodegradability and How Long Does It Take Your Garbage to Decompose?)
Note: Maybe fill out one column first – 1 or 2 (DO NOT HAVE TO FILL OUT COLUMN 3); and then for the other column, just say whether you think the extent of decomposition would other greater or less or the same. For example, for yard waste, might say for column 1 – partial decomposition and then for column 2 say, more decomposition than in plastic bag. Or could even try and guess percentage – 10% decomposition in plastic bag and slightly higher decomposition in mesh bag…
I encourage you to actually make 2 guesses for each box – 1 based on your best guess BEFORE you look at the files on canvas that tell you how fast things decompose; and then a second guess after reading the article.
Litter Bag and hole size (none if plastic bag)
1
Large black plastic bag
2
Laundry mesh bag (1/16” hole size)
3
Small canvas bag – string tied top
Food Waste
DON’T NEED TO FILL THIS COLUMN OUT
Paper
Plastic
Aluminum Cans
Yard Waste
Other
Data Analysis:
Do you think the pH of the trash would change between before and after burial? If so, change in what direction and why? What difference might it make to plants and animals you find in the soil?
Would you expect to find a difference in the level of decomposition between mesh and plastic bag? Explain.
What materials showed the most amount of change over the decomposition period?
What materials showed the least amount of change and why?
Watch following two videos and answer remaining questions.
How does a landfill work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzo5sv4IrIw
Video field trip – Landfill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA608GJ-EzM
Why are landfills lined with rubber mats and plastic material. Consider what you know occurs during decomposition and how materials are transported through the soil.
What is the purpose of collection pipes at the bottom of a landfill? What is the purpose of vertical pipes in a landfill?
There is much discussion about recycling and landfills. Make a list of items (logged in the table above) you think should be recycled and items that should be placed in landfills based on your observations of the litter bag material.
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