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Landfill in a Bottle:

Methane Production

Teacher Page

Adapted from an activity in Bottle Biology by Mrill Ingram, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 1993.
 
 Hypothesis:
Methane is produced when organic material decomposes.
 
Materials:
  • 2 Liter bottles with caps
  • Soil
  • Variety of organic material (grass clippings, fruit, leaves, vegetables, etc.)
  • Water
  • Funnel
  • Matches
  • Safety goggles
  • Wooden splint

    •  
    Procedure:
    1. Using the funnel, pour about 5 cm of soil into the 2 liter bottle.
    2. Put a variety of organic materials into the bottle.  The bottle should be no more than 1/4 full.
    3. Pour 500 mL of water into the bottle.
    4. Cap the bottle tightly.
    5. Shake the bottle to mix the contents
    6. Put the bottle in a warm and sunny location.
    7. Leave the bottle capped for 4 days.
    8. Discuss ideas for control bottles and set them up. Ideas might include an empty bottle, a bottle with just soil, or a bottle with just food bits.
    9. Put on your safety goggles.
    10. Light the end of the wooden splint with a match.
    11. Dim the lights in the room.
    12. While one person unscrews the cap a second person should hold the lit end of the splint over the opening of the bottle.
     Observations:
    Record your observations in the space below.
    Students should notice an odor when the bottle is opened.  The methane gas will produce a flame when it is ignited with the splint.  The effect will depend on the amount of methane in the bottle.
    Conclusion:
    Did your observations support your hypothesis? Defend your answer. </DD
    If a blue flame is seen this is evidence of methane gas.
     Follow up:
    On a separate piece of paper name one variable in this experiment that you could investigate in a follow up experiment. Describe how you could carry out this experiment.
     The amount of soil and the "recipe" of organic materials added can be varied. The amount of water, and the addition of a catalyst are other possibilities. Allow students to try their experiments. The assessment rubric is used to grade only the follow up experiment.
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