Question:
Do Ocimum basilicum have a higher chlorophyll concentration when integrated in an aquaponics system or when growing under typical conditions? Hypothesis: If Ocimum basilicum is integrated into an aquaponic system, then it will have a higher chlorophyll concentration than Ocimum basilici grown in a system without aquaponic integration. What how and when of data collection? We will be analyzing the chlorophyll concentration of Ocimum basilicum by placing a 1 cm2 * 1 cm2 piece of the Ocimum basilicum in a spectrophotometer. The Ocimum basilicum would be analyzed at three different wavelengths: 630 nm, 645 nm, 665 nm. These three wavelengths are where chlorophyll pigments spike and will be the easiest points at which to measure concentration. The chlorophyll analysis will be done every 14 days on three plant samples and the average chlorophyll concentrations between those three samples will be produced. Weekly images will be taken of the aquaponic system and the Ocimum basilicum. These images have the potential to be useful in assessing the support provided from the energy transfer from the Carassius auratus waste to the Ocimum basilicum plants. While these images will not provide quantifiable data, they will serve as additional support for the conclusions from the chlorophyll concentration tests. Why Chlorophyll Concentration? The measure of chlorophyll concentration is a great indication of the well being of a plant. The chlorophyll concentration essentially indicates how efficiently the plant produces sugar. By comparing the Ocimum basilicum growing in different environments, we will be able to understand whether the natural environment or the aquaponic system is the most beneficial to the plants' productivity during photosynthesis. How Data Will be Analyzed: The data from the spectrophotometer gives us the absorbance rate at various wavelengths. The absorbance rate that is observed are plugged into Arnon’s equation which is used to determine the chlorophyll concentration of chlorophyll a and b.
These two equations give us the chlorophyll concentration in the units of mg/L. We are expecting the chlorophyll concentration of the Ocimum basilicum in the aquaponic system to have a higher concentration. We will also calculate the total chlorophyll concentration by adding the two values The equation to determine this is Total Chlorophyll = Ca+ Cb. This will give us the values in units of mg/L as well. How Data Will be Reported/Presented:
Aquaponic Set Up Diagram:
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Aquaponic System Procedures:
1: Thoroughly wash the gravel and place in the bottom of the fish tank. 2: Drill 1/8” holes in the bottom of the grow bed every 2 square inches so the water can drain into the tank. 3: Assemble wooden framework to support grow bed above tank. 4: Feed the tubing from the water pump through the gap between the grow bed and the framework. Place holes throught the tubing to allow the pump to distribute water evenly through the soil. Attach with zip ties. 5: Place a sheet of burlap along the bottom of the grow bed; this will help sift remaining large particles. Fill the grow bed with the growing medium to just under the top of the tube. 6: Puncture small holes every 2 inches in the section of tubing that loops in the grow bed. 7: Cover the loop of tubing with an inch or two of growing medium. 8: Fill the fish tank with water. Plug in the pump to ensure that the water is pumped into the grow bed, trickles down through the growing medium and continuously back into the tank. 9: Connect you air pump to the air stone with the air tubing. Place the air stone in the tank and plug in the air pump. A steady stream of bubbles should rise through the water, providing fresh air. 10: Use litmus paper to test initial pH of water, pH should test at 7.0. If pH levels are above or below, use pH lowering or raising solutions to balance the water. 11: Add chlorine removing solution, let sit for 15 minutes. Then, test pH of water to ensure a safe envirnment for the fish. 12: Add your fish to the fish tank. At this point, check functionality of pump and air stone, ensuring that the pump can transport water from the tank, to the grow bed, and back. 13: Plant initial Ocimum basilicum in control bed in Miracle-Gro Seed Starting potting mix to provide initial support. Control Ocimum basilicum environment will be identical to grow bed envirornment, and will support the Ocimum basilicum seeds until they are germinated. 14: Transplant Ocimum basilicum after germination. Chlorophyll Concentration Analysis Procedures: 1: A 1 cm^2 piece of the Ocimum basilicum will be cut off and cut into smaller pieces into a granite mortar 2: Add 1mL of acetone with the Ocimum basilicum into the mortar and smash the solution using a pestle for approximately three minutes 3: Transfer the solution inside the mortar to a centrifuge test tube and add 6 mL of acetone. Place the solution into an Ample Scientific Champion E-33 Centrifuge. Add another test tube that contains 7mL of water to balance out the centrifuge. 4: Run the centrifuge for approximately two minutes at 2000 rpm 5: Remove the test tube from the centrifuge and withdraw 5mL of the liquid solution from the test tube using a pipette and place into another test tube. 6: Set the spectrophotometer wavelength to 630 nm and zero it by inserting 5mL of acetone into the spectrophotometer. 7: Remove the acetone from the spectrophotometer and insert the sample into the spectrophotometer and record the absorbance rate. Repeat steps 6-7 for wavelength at 630nm, 645nm, and 665nm. 8: Repeat all steps for each of the Ocimum basilicum samples. Average absorbance rates for three samples. Experimental Procedures: 1: Refer to aquaponic set up procedures for the assembly of the aquaponic system. 2: At the 12:00 PM each day, sprinkle Aqueon Goldfish Flakes into lower portion of aquaponic system to feed the Carassius auratus continuously for 2 minutes. This time regulation is recommended by the RSPCA to prevent overfeeding. 3: After feeding fish, mist control system until top soil is moist with tap water to simulate the water supply of the aquaponic system. 4: Every 7 days record written observations of system, and take photos of system to be used as supporting information in final conclusions. 5: Every 14 days, test chlorophyll concentration in three samples from both the aquaponic system as well as the control system. (Refer to Chlorophyll Concentration Procedures) 6: Regularly monitor pH levels in the Carassius auratus habitat to assure a safe environment for the fish. Monitor the proper function of the air pump, water pump, and light to prevent alterations in the system functionality. Energy Source Diagram:
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