AP Environmental Science Name _________________________
Soil Salinization Lab Per. __________ Date ___________
Background: Soil salinization is a severe threat to agriculture. Excessive salinity
costs the United States billions of dollars each year. As new land comes into use, it
is often in arid areas, which are highly susceptible to the problems associated with
soil salinization. Irrigation water contains a variety of dissolved salts, including
NaCl, MgCl2, Cacl2, etc. When irrigating a field, much water can evaporate, leaving
these salts behind as a thin layer. Over time, salts build up in fields until the soil is
so salty (salinized) that seeds will no longer germinate in the soil.
In this lab, you will test the following salt concentrations on peas: 0% (distilled water), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%,
2%, and 3%
Problem: How does increasing salt concentration affect the germination of plants?
Hypothesis: (Use the words increasing/decreasing in your hypothesis)
What is the control in this experiment?
What is the experimental group?
What is the independent variable?
What is the dependent variable?
What are our constants?
Materials:
Petri Dishes, Graduated Cylinder 5% NaCl solution beakers,
Distilled water Seeds, Paper Towels, ruler
Procedure:
Day 1
1. You will test the following salt concentrations on peas: 0% (distilled water), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and
3%
2. You are provided with a 5% NaCl solution. You must dilute the solution to lower the percentage of
salt concentration. Use the following formula to determine the volume of 5% NaCl needed for each
test. You will need 10 ml of liquid for each test.
3. Write your calculations for all your dishes BEFORE going on:
Volume of New Solution needed = Concentration of your starting solution
X Desired concentration of the new solution
X = The amount (volume) of the starting solution needed to make the new solution
To determine the amount of distilled water needed:
Volume of new solution needed – X = Amount (volume) of distilled water you need to add to make to make the
new solution.
For Example: To make 10ml of a 1 percent solution:
10 ml = 5% NaCl solution
X 1% NaCl solution
X = 2 ml of a 5% solution needed.
10 ml - 2 ml = 8 ml distilled water needed.
4. Obtain 6 Petri Dishes. Label with the six concentrations to be tested.
5. Place 2 pea seeds between two small paper towels in each petri dish.
6. Prepare your six concentrations using the math above—remember, you need 10 ml of each
concentration.
a. Use the pipette and the graduated cylinder for the Distilled water
b. Use the “5%” pipet and the “5%” graduated cylinder for the 5% salt solution. Do NOT
mix these up.
c. Stir the 5% salt solution before using it, and pipet from the middle—not the bottom, as
you will get too much salt.
d. Pour graduated cylinders into the “Mixing” beaker and swirl to mix
e. Pour the solution over the paper towels and Peas. Cover with another small piece of
paper towel.
f. Tuck the edges of the paper towels into the petri dish, or it will dry out.
7. Set your Petri dishes in the vent hood.
Day 2
8. Open the Petri dishes and observe how many of the mung beans germinated. Record in your
data. Figure percentages.
9. With a ruler, measure the length in mm of each sprout. Record.
Data:
Concentration of Number of beans Percentage of beans
Length of Sprout in mm
NaCl germinated germinated
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Analysis: Create two graphs.
● Graph the relationship between the concentration of NaCl and the Percentage of mung beans
germinated.
● Graph the relationship between NaCl concentration and the sprouts' length.
Label your axes and title your graphs (with a phrase or sentence). Create your graphs on a separate
sheet of graph paper and attach them.
Lab Conclusion
Write the following conclusion following the Science Writing Guidelines. Use complex sentences in all
sections.
1. Introductory statement with the problem and hypothesis.
2. Summary of experiment with results. In your summary, ALSO
● Explain whether the lab results confirm or refute the hypothesis.
● Discuss the experimental design (dependent variable, independent variable,
hypothesis).
3. Describe any real or possible error. If you had a real error, explain why this error occurred. If no error
occurred, explain why another group had an error or theorize where an error could occur. Be specific and do
not describe a math error--instead, re-do the math.
4. Provide an evidence-based concluding statement (facts and data). Remember, no opinions or feelings.