Fixation of carbon dioxide
from the burning of fossil fuels
by the planting of trees.
 
TEAM MEMBERS
 
Belinda Poindexter
Roselle, NJ
Monica Shah
Edison, NJ
Edgar Ticzon
Glendale, Ca
 
INTRODUCTION:
The increasing level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is of concern because of  its association with global warming. This excess CO2 is being rapidly released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. As fossil fuels remain the predominant source to meet present energy demands, the level of carbon dioxide is expected to increase along with its accompanying problems. One attempt to alleviate the situation has been reforestation in various regions of the world, to compensate for the effects of fossil fuel-using industrial and power plants. The intention is to, via the process of photosynthesis, hopefully stabilize, and later reverse the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere.

Hypothesis: Excess carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere  may be counteracted by the planting of trees.
 

Tests:

1. Create a simple model using the STELLA system relating rate of carbon dioxide emission from burning fossil fuel to rate of carbon dioxide fixation by trees. The model is expected to provide an estimate of extent of forestation needed to compensate for specific levels of carbon dioxide emission.
 
2. Perform a simple experiment showing carbon dioxide utilization by bean seedlings:

    Bean seedlings are grown in plastic containers fitted with CO2 filled balloon and levels
    of CO2 remaining checked after  a few days of growing. The presence of CO2  is detected
    by  reaction with Bromthymol blue, an  indicator solution.
 
 
 
 

 Fig. 1  CO2 fixation by seedlings                  Fig. 2   CO2 level detection
 
If a CBL probe is available, an alternative method would be to grow potted seedlings  inside a plastic bottle and directly monitor the decrease in CO2.
 

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

1) STELLA MODELLING

2) EXPERIMENT
 

Transfer to local school:

1) This situation easily lends itself to be utilized as a decision-making management problem. Students will brainstorm possible solutions to the situation, then research the feasibility of a selected solution. This may be accomplished by actual visitations to fossil fuel burning power plants to gather primary data, as well as using Internet and library resources.

2) Use the STELLA model as a framework for introducing other variables involved in maintaining atmospheric CO2 levels. This can be done by utilizing a flow chart system of organization or as a graphing exercise if STELLA software is unavailable.

3) As the planting of trees will emerge from student-generated ideas as a likely possibility, they will conduct our experiment (test #2) with slight modifications in order to assess the effects of vegetation on CO2 more directly.
 
 

Contributions to the Community:

    The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has significantly contributed to the warming of our planet. Global warming, aka the greenhouse effect, is a serious environmental attack on the earth. Many scientists and the like have recently suggested the planting of trees to counterattack the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. Our research will benefit the local as well as the global environment, by discerning whether or not this method of sequestration of CO2 is probable. Efforts in this direction are already being undertaken by programs such as Global Releaf of the American Forestry Association.
 

CORRELATION WITH STANDARDS
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Edgar, Monica and Belinda of Team #52 would like to give our sincerest thanks to all of the staff at the W.W.F.  We especially would like to acknowledge two individuals who devoted an enormous amount of time and shared a wealth of knowledge to the development our project, Denise Johnston and John Snow. It has been a pleasure to work with all of you.