Salinization

In the salinization test we were assigned to create a bag of 4g/100mL concentration of salt for each lab table. Since we had to use 120mL of water we used the equation 4g/100mL=Xg/120mL to figure out the amount of salt we would need to keep the proportion the same. This came out to be 4.8g of salt so we mixed this in with 120mL of water. Then we put one paper towel with beans on top and poured 20mL of water into each of the 6 bags. In order to also compare red vs white beans we were to split up 3 bags of white and 3 bags of red beans. With our own bags we observed that the only growth was seen in the 0g of salt concentration bag. However, in other groups the .5g beans were also growing just as well and one group even had the start of a root breaking through in a 2g bag. 

.5g concentration

Overall, the higher concentrations were incapable of growing and most were even molding and had a green color to them. The same patterns in growth seen in the red beans were seen in the white beans.

This led us to the conclusion that things can not grow if there is too much salt. In order to remediate salty soils you can add sulfur, add carbon to reduce soil dispersion and the amount of sodium. Also tilling and leaching the soil can help.

white beans with .5g concentration