Mele Tupou BI201 S11037337

THE EFFECT OF DETERGENT WATER ON PLANTS GROWTH RATE

(Bottle Biology)

Introduction:
Detergents are materials which aid in the removal of the dirt or other foreign matters from
contaminated surfaces. They have the ability to remove dirt from porous surfaces such as
fabrics and clothes (Bino. M, 2010) and they are used to wash clothes and most people in
Tonga used different type of laundry detergent for their laundry but has trained their dirty
water out in the ecosystem. Detergents generally are composed of surfactants, builders,
alkalis, enzymes, active oxygen bleaches, fabric softeners, fragrances and many more
complicated chemical compounds. The increasing environmental pollution arising from
detergent use is becoming a growing concern. Lack of knowledge on the effects of the
detergents on living organisms makes people to handle or dispose detergents carelessly.
Therefore an investigation on the ecological disorder that may arise from improper handling
or disposal of detergents needs to be done. And this is necessary because there is no
alternative to detergent for now. In this experiment, the effect of detergent water on plant
growth rate will be investigated through terraqua (bottle biology)

Research Question:

Does detergent water slow down the growth rate of plants?

Hypothesis

Detergent water slows down the growth rate of plants

Method:
2 identical 2 Litre bottle was collected and was cut in the neck of both bottle. The cap of the
bottle were then nicely drilled and then a nice piece of cotton yarn was then inserted in both
of the drilled bottle cap and was then closed tightly with the cotton hanging down. 150g of
soil where then filled into each of the inverted upper part of the bottle making sure that the
cotton is up at the surface of the soil. 5 seeds of snow peas each for both bottle where then
Mele Tupou BI201 S11037337

planted nicely into the soil. 200ml of water was then filled in the bottom part of both bottle
except for one bottle was added 50g of detergent (Daia) and dissolve while the other was just
tap water only and that will serve as the control. The upper part of the bottle was then seated
nicely on top of the bottom part making sure that the piece of cotton really sinks into the
water underneath. Both Columns where then leave in the same place then height of only one
plant was then measured daily.

Results:
Height of plant
Detergent Tap
Day water water Pictures
(stress) (control)
(cm) (cm)
1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 1 0

6 1.3 0

7 1.3 0

8 1.3 0.8

9 1.4 1.5

10 1.5 2.8

11 1.5 3.5

12 1.5 5

13 1.6 6.2

14 1.6 8.5
Mele Tupou BI201 S11037337

Discussion:
Since detergent contains some harmful chemical such as phosphates which makes up almost
50% of the detergents (Paleo, Keto, Helathy Lifestyle , 2018) it has an effect on plants
especially germination. The table above in the results shows that the column with the applied
stress which is the detergent, germinate faster than the seeds in the control column. In which
it took only 5 days for it to germinate and 3 seeds only where germinating, whereas in the
control column, it took 7 days before it germinate. However after the 14 days period, the
plants in the control column was longer in height than the plants in the column with the
applied stress however the plants in the applied stress was stunted and was remain stagnant.
This means that the phosphate in the detergent at first was necessary for plant growth since
plants do needs such nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen, so it speed up the rate of
germination however when phosphate was concentrated in the plant system it starts
dehydrating the soil thus interfering with the absorption of water by the roots thus slowing
down the growth rate of plants.

Conclusion
The effect of detergent water on plants is that it speed the germination rate but slows down
growth rate. This is due to the fact that laundry detergents contains necessary nutrients for
plant growth such as phosphorous (phosphate) but when concentrated it tend to slow down
the growth rate of the plant. There were sources of error arises from the experiment, such that
the seeds that we have used was expired that’s why it took so long to germinate, another
factor could be that the amount of detergent used was too much that account for the
stagnating plants in the detergent water. A careful handling of the experiment is required in
the future for a better and reliable results.

Reference
Bino. M, H. A.-H. (2010, June ). Science Direct . Retrieved from Effect of treated grey water reuse in
irrigation on soil and plants:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916410000664

Paleo, Keto, Helathy Lifestyle . (2018, 07 14). Grass Fed Girl. Retrieved from 7 Dangerous Chemicals
in Laundry Detergents: http://www.grassfedgirl.com/7-dangerous-chemicals-in-your-laundy-
detergent/