2: Renewable Adsorption Methods Using Sugarcane Peels

Trevor Norris, Tiffany Oji, Kyle Llenado, Nico Fernandez, Darren Garcia

This experiment investigated the most effective preparation method of creating a bioadsorbent through variating its experimental preparation methods. In this case, an anionic bioadsorbent (sugar cane bark) was used to collect the cationic dye Crystal Violet. The bark was prepared in varying ways to test for the most effective method. Four preparation methods were tested, including two physical modifications (grinding and derma-rolling) and two chemical modifications (cationic and anionic impregnation). It was hypothesized that on average, the chemical preparation methods will yield more effective adsorbance results. Similar adsorbance research showed a heavy experimental favoring towards researchers diversifying their chemical preparations while only cycling between 2 physical methods (Biochar & grinding/grounded). The widespread adoption of methodology pushed the group to the belief that the chemical methods will be more effective in increasing the bond stretching potential and thus the bonding potential (adsorbency potential). 

4: Zest Protocol

James Balderrama, Tega Igun, Jesus Saucedo, Joseph Balderrama Canales, Ebuka Iwu

Chemical wastewater pollution is a global threat to human and environmental health in both first and third-world countries, with industrial facilities releasing thousands of tons of toxic dyes, metals, and other harmful contaminants into waterways annually. Despite the many health risks, there isn’t yet a clear solution that tackles the expense, sustainability, and reliability of purifying our waters. Our group has used saponification as a treatment for dehydrated orange peels to adsorb methylene blue from aqueous solution. We then measured percent removal by running the solution through a spectrophotometer in 5-minute intervals for an hour, testing different treatment times to determine the most efficient route. The maximum % removal obtained was 50%. 

6: Orange Peel Adsorption

Maya Murphy, Jessica Rodriguez, Haley Dowing

The textile industry relies heavily on synthetic dyes, with approximately 10,000 tons produced and used annually. As a result, large volumes of dye-containing industrial effluents are discharged into water systems. Among these pollutants, methyl violet (MV), a widely used cationic dye in textile processing, is of particular concern due to its toxicity and resistance to biodegradation. Exposure to MV poses serious risks to human health, including conditions such as cyanosis, tissue necrosis, vomiting, jaundice, and cardiovascular complications. In addition to its health impacts, MV contributes to environmental damage by inhibiting plant growth and reducing photosynthetic pigment levels. Its persistence, non-biodegradability, and resistance to natural degradation processes make its removal from wastewater essential for protecting water quality.

Adsorption has emerged as a promising and cost-effective method for dye removal due to its simplicity, high efficiency, and versatility. Recent studies highlight the potential of low-cost, sustainable adsorbents derived from agricultural waste materials. This project investigates the use of orange peels as a bioadsorbent for the removal of methyl violet from aqueous solutions. Specifically, it aims to evaluate the effectiveness of orange peels in dye adsorption and to determine the optimal pH conditions that maximize adsorption efficiency.

8: Sudan Black B Adsorption with Edamame Peels

Angelica Gonzalez, Irina Soboleva, Makena Carey, Jackie Leon Reyes, Brianna Davis

Sudan Black B is a lipophilic dye widely used in the textile and cosmetics industries that currently poses a significant environmental and public health concern due to its persistence in wastewater and demonstrated genotoxic and hepatotoxic properties. This study investigated the potential of edamame peels as a low-cost biosorbent for the removal of Sudan Black B from aqueous solution. Moreover, we compared the peel’s removal capabilities after four separate pretreatments: citric acid immersion, stearic acid immersion, thermal drying, and a pectic enzyme bath. A working stock solution of Sudan Black B was prepared in 70% ethanol under heated magnetic stirring (Co = 86.83 mg/L); following dissolution, heat was removed and the solution was kept covered to minimize evaporation, though changes in concentration due to evaporation remained a significant experimental limitation. To test their adsorption capacity, peel samples were then submerged in the standardized Sudan Black B solution and dye concentration was monitored spectrophotometrically at 605 nm over a 60 minute period. The citric acid pretreatment demonstrated the greatest adsorption activity, with percent removal which ranged from approximately 12–26%, suggesting that citric acid modification meaningfully enhances the surface binding capacity of edamame peels, likely through the introduction of additional carboxyl functional groups. While overall removal efficiencies were modest relative to conventional adsorbents, this study provides a proof-of-concept for the validity of edamame peel bio-waste as a sustainable biosorbent material, and identifies citric acid pretreatment as a promising avenue for further optimization. 

10: Corn Husks as a Low-Cost Bio Adsorbent of Fast Green FCF Dye

Akiera Aipoalani, Rheanna Deles, Gabrielle Kaleialii, Alfredo Villanueva Meza, Emmanuel Muhktar

Water pollution has become a major environmental concern as industrial activities release pollutants such as Fast Green FCF dye into water systems. Fast Green FCF is toxic and potentially carcinogenic, posing both environmental and human health risks. Globally, corn (Zea mays L.) is the second most abundantly grown crop, resulting in mass accumulations of its by-product, the husk. This research investigates the efficiency of corn husks as a low-cost bioadsorbent for the removal of Fast Green FCF from lab-modeled wastewater, 10.0 ppm dye-concentrated dilutions with different pH levels. Three dye solutions were adjusted to pH 3, 7, and 12 using HCl and KOH to generally replicate different Fast Green FCF dye-polluted wastewaters. The corn husks were superficially washed, dried, then chemically activated with potassium hydroxide, washed with deionized water, oven-dried at 240℉ for 48 hours, then sliced into small pieces. Approximately 0.1 grams of the bioadsorbent was added to each dye solution under constant stirring using a magnetic stir bar, modeling natural waterways’ constant motion. The adsorbance was measured of each solution was recorded every five minutes for one hour using a spectrophotometer. The results conclude that the corn husk most efficiently removed the Fast Green FCF dye in the basic pH solution, removing approximately 22% more Fast Green FCF dye compared to the acidic and neutral solutions.  

12: Rinds to the Rescue

Liliana Bailey, Karla Hernandez, Amabile Silva

Crystal violet dye continues to be a runoff pollutant from industrial processes, creating toxic aquatic environments and affecting human health risks. Crystal violet dye is known to be a carcinogen and an irritant to human eyes and skin. To combat the runoff concentration of crystal violet dye in water, our research study, under the supervision of Prof. Corey Spainhower, focused on two different bioadsorbents to measure the adsorption of crystal violet dye in water. The two peels we chose were rinds from watermelon and lemons. Two sets of bioadsorbents were run, one set was treated with ethanol, and the second set was not. All rinds were washed with deionized water and baked at 170 °F at least once. The treated peels were air dried after soaking in ethanol. Based on previous studies, we predicted that treated watermelon rinds would be a more effective bioadsorbent in comparison to lemon rinds. Our study concluded that the treated lemon rinds had a higher percentage removal measuring at 17% compared to the watermelon rinds measuring at 4%. The untreated lemon rinds measured a 65% removal, and the watermelon rinds measured a 6% removal. These findings suggest that lemon rinds are a more effective bioadsorbent for crystal violet dye removal than watermelon rinds, and that ethanol treatment may reduce adsorption efficiency. The higher performance of lemon rinds may be due to their surface chemistry and greater availability of active binding sites, highlighting their potential as an inexpensive and sustainable material for water purification.

14: Investigating the Effects of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria/Fungi (PGP) on Brachypodium distachyon with Deficient Nitrogen Levels.

Jaden Kelly-Langon, Alyssa Lizada, Roger Sernaque, Hammad Shabbir, Phillip Todd, & Jill Bouchard (professor)

Nitrogen is a nutrient that plays a critical role in plant growth and its development. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGP) have been used in studies showing an improvement in nutrient-limited environments. In this study, we investigated the effects of cyanobacterium Anabaena and how it can compensate for nitrogen deficiency in Brachypodium distachyon using a fabricated ecosystem (EcoFABs). Twelve plants were divided into four different treatment groups based on the absence or presence of nitrogen and Anabaena. We measured plant growth, shoot, and root length over a four-week period. Results showed that the plant group that grew in nitrogen-rich conditions had overall more consistent and healthy growth. Even though some improved growth was observed in the groups containing Anabaena, the effects were not sustained through the whole experiment. On the other hand, growth in nitrogen-limited conditions remained limited overall. These findings suggest that Anabaena might be able to improve early plant growth in nutrient-deficient environments but cannot fully compensate for a nitrogen deficiency under the conditions tested. Future studies are needed to determine optimized conditions and additional trials to better understand the microbial interactions and how they affect plant growth. 

16: Investigating Intense Plasma Drifts and Associated Optical Emissions Using Swarm and TREx RGB All-Sky Imager Observations

Sheryl Madlangbayan

Subauroral ion drifts (SAIDs) are fast (>500 m/s) westward plasma flows that occur equatorward of the auroral oval. Previous studies have established a statistical correlation between intense SAIDs (>4 km/s) and STEVE (strong thermal emission velocity enhancement), an unusual optical emission which appears as a mauve arc stretching east/west across the subauroral sky (Archer et al., 2019). Unlike typical auroral emissions, which have narrow emission features associated with distinct atomic or molecular transitions, STEVE emissions are a continuum that spans the optical spectrum, and their specific emission mechanisms are still debated. This project aims to investigate the relationship between SAIDs and subauroral optical emissions to better understand the physical conditions required for such emissions.

We identified extreme (> 3 km/s) westward plasma flows using data from the ESA Swarm satellite mission. We compiled a catalog of these events from 2019 through March 2025. We then cross-referenced these events with available RGB all-sky imager and spectrograph data from Canadian sites in the TREx network to search for conjunctions between these observed fast flows and available ground-based imagery.

We have identified 20 conjunctions which occur under favorable observing conditions (clear skies, no moon), some of which contain optical emission features. For cases with optical emissions, we are applying magnetic field-line mapping to different altitudes to estimate the emission heights and determine the spatial relationship between the optical features and the plasma flow channels.

These results will enhance our understanding of how intense plasma drifts relate to optical emissions and may help refine models of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. This work also contributes to identifying conditions favorable for STEVE and may support future observational campaigns targeting sub-auroral phenomena.

18: Hydrophobization of Silica Xerogels Using Stearic Acid 

Andrew Nettles, Tanner Duran

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a silica-based xerogel could be made hydrophobic through treatment with fatty acid. Modifying surface wettability is important for improving the performance of materials in any sort of coatings or moisture-resistant applications. The xerogel was made with colloidal silica polishing suspension, calcium chloride, and glycerol. This was all mixed together with water to create our gel, then placed in an oven at 45 °C for 4 days. After this we then soaked it in a mixture of stearic acid and ethanol on a hot pad for 3 hours, then left to dry for 1 week.  The results of our research shows that this method does result in a coating that does make our 

xerogel hydrophobic. We dropped water on the samples and then took pictures and measured the water angle. Our tests with our control sample resulted in complete water absorption, which means it was hydrophilic, but with our treated samples, they had water angles of 113° and 105°.  This does prove that our methods do make our xerogel hydrophobic. These results prove that using our fatty acid we can manipulate our silica xerogel into a hydrophobic gel and could be useful for any sort of coating research for silica based objects.  

20: Ortho Love: From Methyl Salicylate to the Unknown

Katie Chu, Natalia Flores, Shwe Yee Thinn

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, being a non-biodegradable product, does not break down easily over time. For this study, methyl salicylate, an oil of wintergreen, underwent a chemical change using the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, followed by Acid-catalyzed modification and amine condensation, to end with the addition of metal. The primary goal of this research was to synthesize a catalyst that improves plastic decomposition. Based on the product of our first reaction, we are expecting a highly deactivated catalyst with higher polarity. With polyester plastics being a highly polar material, using a highly polar catalyst is likely to result in greater decomposition. The first reaction, the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, is originally used to introduce an aldehyde group to phenols, producing ortho-hydroxybenzaldehydes using chloroform and sodium hydroxide. We are using methyl salicylate, which, due to its functional groups (ester and phenol) being better electron-withdrawing groups, is a more deactivating compound compared to other starting materials. We believe that using methyl salicylate will lead to a highly polar compound. Based on the structure of methyl salicylate (methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate), this results in the added aldehyde being ortho to the phenol directing group, while meta to the ester. Due to this being the preferred confirmation, we are expecting little byproduct with the structure of para-aldehyde. Testing the results of our first reaction product using thin-layer chromatography, our data showed a color change and streaking compared to the original starting material. 

22: Plastic to Pieces: The Catalyst Effect

Nickson Lui, Bryan Roman, Brandon Amezcua

This research project investigates the synthesis and purification of a product formed from salicylic acid, chloroform, and base under Reimer–Tiemann reaction conditions. The goal of the experiment is to prepare the product, isolate it through acidification and vacuum filtration, and further modify it to form nickel-based catalysts. The reaction mixture was heated, monitored using TLC, acidified to pH ≈2 to precipitate the product, and purified through recrystallization. The purified compound was reacted with 1,2-diaminocyclohexane to form a ligand, which was then combined with nickel sulfate under reflux conditions to produce a nickel-based catalyst. Formation of the catalyst was indicated by observable color changes and differences compared to the starting materials. The synthesized catalyst was tested for interaction with plastic glove material under UV light and hydrogen peroxide conditions. Results showed evidence of catalyst and plastic interaction toward plastic degradation. This project demonstrates a method for preparing a nickel catalyst and evaluating its reactivity with polymer materials 

24: PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”) from Waterproof Mascara Reduce Root Growth in Brachypodium Distachyon

Alexys Acosta, Neda Ahmadi, Breanna Fumar, Gilberto Gil, Jennilyn Quintos, Jill Bouchard (professor) 

Per- and Polyfluroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS are toxins that are commonly found in our environment. They show up in soil and groundwater due to runoff from household items, including cosmetics. PFAS are the cause of many health concerns including things like cancer. We wanted to see the negative effects they had on living organisms in our environment by testing how PFAS found in water runoff from mascara affects Brachypodium distachyon, a small, flat leafed plant.

We compared the growth of roots and shoots in the B.distachyon through various groups. A control group grown in normal solution, an experimental group grown in Waterproof mascara solution, and another experimental group grown in Non-Waterproof mascara solution. To maintain a constant environment for our testing plants, we grew the B.distachyons in EcoFabs, a 3D printed controlled laboratory habitat. 

A one-way ANOVA revealed that mascara runoff treatments did not significantly affect leaf growth, but significantly reduced root growth, with the waterproof mascara treatment producing the greatest reduction compared to both control and non-waterproof treatments. These results suggest that root development in B. distachyon is more sensitive than shoot growth to contaminants associated with mascara runoff.

These findings suggest that PFAS-containing waterproof mascara runoff may negatively affect early plant root development and could potentially impact plant establishment in local ecosystems exposed to cosmetic-contaminated water sources. Because PFAS compounds persist in soil and groundwater, further research measuring PFAS concentrations directly and testing additional plant species is recommended to better understand their broader ecological effects on vegetation and environmental health.

26: Synthesis and Evaluation of Metal–Salen Catalysts for Polyester Degradation

Jesse Doan, Adaugo Ehujor, Ahmad Hasani

This study explores the synthesis and application of salen-based metal complexes as potential catalysts for environmentally sustainable plastic degradation. 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde was synthesized from 2-naphthol via the Reimer Tiemann reaction and subsequently functionalized through electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. These intermediates were then used to form Schiff base (salen) ligands through condensation with ethylenediamine. The resulting ligands were coordinated with transition metals, including cobalt, to generate metal–salen complexes.​

The synthesized complexes were characterized and prepared for evaluation in catalytic degradation reactions targeting polymeric materials. Preliminary results confirm successful formation of key intermediates and salen ligands, with ongoing work focused on optimizing metal coordination and assessing catalytic efficiency. This work contributes to the development of green chemistry approaches for addressing plastic waste through tunable, ligand-based catalytic systems.

28: Evaluation of Coconut Fiber-Based Sponges for the Adsorption of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions

Jennifer Gutierrez, Analee Botello, Alessandra Danao, Zainab Popal

This study investigated the efficacy of sustainable, bio-based sponges derived from coconut fibers (known as coir) as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a common cationic dye that contaminates water, to address the need for low-cost and eco-friendly remediation materials. This research evaluated the adsorption capacity through controlling parameters of initial dye concentration and adsorbent dosage. The coconut fibers were shaped into sponges and treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or hydrochloric acid (HCl) to modify the surface properties. The two control groups A. and  B. were washed with ethanol, and all samples were rinsed with deionized water (except control group A.) to reach a neutral pH. Of all treatments, NaOH treated coconut fibers showed the highest removal of mb with 59.05% after 60 minutes. The adsorption data was analyzed using kinetic modeling and the pseudo-second order was the best fit model which means the rate of adsorption depends on the surface area of the coconut fibers and the concentration of MB. Coconut fiber sponges represent a viable, biodegradable, and cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment. This research contributes to the development of circular economy practices by repurposing agricultural waste into high-value environmental filters, providing a scalable model for localized water purification in industries utilizing synthetic dyes.  

30: Investigating the Effect of Urbanization on the Leaf Phyllosphere and Brachypodium distachyon Growth & Development

Daniela Avalos, Aaliyah Dacasin, Nada Gheit, Madelynn Jenkins 

Urbanization alters phyllosphere microbial communities (the microbial habitat on leaf surfaces), yet how these shifts influence plant growth remains unclear. This study tested how microbes from leaf environments with varying levels of direct human contact affect the growth of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon in a 3-D printed fabricated ecosystem (EcoFAB). Based on previous studies, microbes from less disturbed areas were expected to promote more plant growth than those from highly human-impacted areas. Microbes were collected from leaf surfaces in three areas of human disturbance: high (gas station), medium (garden), and low (Round Valley Regional Preserve). These microbes were cultured and used to inoculate plants, and root and shoot growth were measured over four weeks. Microbial variation was assessed through colony arrangement and abundance. Plants inoculated with microbes from low-disturbance site exhibited the highest average growth (+5.09%), while those from medium-disturbance site showed reduced root growth (-2.75%). These results suggest that microbial communities from less disturbed environments are associated with enhanced plant growth, while those from urbanized settings may be less beneficial. This study highlights the importance of restoring microbial communities in supporting plant health in urban ecosystems.  

32: ANT BEHAVIOR BASED ON QUANTITY OF FOOD

Nicodemus Mancera, David Varela 

In order to investigate how red harvester ant behavior is affected by food quantity, the ants were placed in a maze and time was taken to navigate the maze. Harvester Ants are ecological engineers, they facilitate growth, food source and soil quality and with the data we provided proof that they are intelligent. The hypothesized data is that limited food availability would increase exploratory behavior, resulting in faster location of the food source over time as the ants adapted to the maze. We recorded the time it took the ants to find their food from the start to the end of the maze, how they behaved each trial, and finding the outline of the maze. We found that the ants do not rely on memorization, they use pheromones to “trace” a given path that leads to resources. Every time we wiped down the maze, it erased the pheromone trail that the ants used to navigate their way through the maze, which also erased their ability to memorize the maze effectively. Our control group had no food at all, and the experimental group has sugar water given to ants. Data shows that with time and quantity of food, the ants were able to solve the maze but we noticed that the experimental trials took the longest and had a peak in time with the ants figuring it out in one minute, the control trials had shorter times but did not have the same effect since they had been relying on pheromones. 

34:Bacillus vs Fertilizer: Effects on Brachypodium Distachyon Growth

Emely Rodriguez, Shreya Rao, Christopher Maravillas, Martin Munoz

Excessive use of synthetic fertilizer improves crop yields but also causes environmental harm, including soil degradation, water contamination, and adverse effects on human health. This study explores the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), specifically Bacillus Subtilis, as a sustainable alternative to enhance plant growth while reducing the heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. To test this, Brachypodium distachyon seedlings were grown in controlled EcoFAB systems under three conditions: supernatant (negative control), fertilizer-treated (positive control), and Bacillus Subtilis-treated groups. Over four weeks, root and shoot growth were measured using Image J, and the data was analyzed across groups to compare differences in plant growth. The supernatant group outperformed both the fertilizer and bacillus groups in percent change of root growth by a margin of 6.01% for bacillus and 5.84% for fertilizer. Assessing shoot growth, both the supernant and bascillus groups outperformed the fertilizer group upon initial percent change by values of 1% and 0.75%, respectively. These results do not support our initial hypothesis and research, as the supernatant (our negative control) outperformed the bacillus group, and our fertilizer group (positive control) underperformed both groups. Confounding variables such as the concentration of bacillus and fertilizer can be attributed to the discrepancy in results. To avoid these problems, future experiments could grow the bacteria in colonies and utilize colonies of the same size instead of using a probiotic pill to have consistency of bacillus concentration. Alongside this, it would be advised to utilize a different fertilizer that is targeted towards grass growth to ensure the expected results of one's positive control group. 

36: Synthesis of Nickel-Based Catalyst

Yusra Shojai, Estafeni Herrera, Brianna Aguilar De La Torre

Plastic waste is a major environmental concern because many commonly used plastics, especially polyesters, do not readily degrade under natural conditions. Previous research has shown that metal-based catalysts can promote the depolymerization of polyester plastics, offering a promising approach for chemical recycling and environmental remediation. In particular, Zhang et al. demonstrated that a binuclear metal catalyst was capable of degrading poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and other common plastics under alkaline conditions. In this CURE research project, our group focused on synthesizing and testing a catalyst designed to assist in plastic degradation. The catalyst was prepared through a multistep synthesis beginning with 2-naphthol and chloroform, followed by the formation of an intermediate product and a nickel-based complex catalyst. Several laboratory techniques were used throughout the synthesis and analysis process, including heating, reflux, vacuum filtration, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to confirm product formation. After successful catalyst synthesis, preliminary testing was initiated by exposing weighted plastic samples to the catalyst solution under alkaline conditions and comparing them with multiple control groups. At the time of presentation, the degradation experiment is still in progress, and final results are pending further analysis. This research is significant because it explores a potential catalyst-based method to improve plastic breakdown and contribute to more sustainable strategies for reducing plastic pollution. 

38: Synthesizing Fe(tBu-Salen) Catalyst from Salicylic Acid to Test Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Paige Bae, Gabriella del Rosario, Breanna Fumar, Mica Mendoza

If salicylic acid undergoes a series of synthesis reactions, then it will form a metal complex catalysts that will degrade plastic because redox metal catalysts are most efficient with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The purpose of the experiment is to create a compound able to degrade plastic from our starting material, Salicylic Acid. To evaluate this, we performed a series of five reactions to synthesize a new compound to degrade PET. The first reaction undergone is the Reimer-Tiemann, which adds an aldehyde to the salicylic acid, then a Friedel-Crafts reaction with tert-butyl alcohol. Next, 1,2-cyclohexanediamine is added to form a salen ligand, which reacts with Fe (III) nitrile, finally creating a metal complex. This product then acts as a catalyst to degrade PET in a reaction with acetic acid. Plastic waste is accumulating alarmingly in landfills and polluting the environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in 2018 the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1%. The remaining 70% could be broken down and recycled using a synthetic compound for an environmentally-friendly disposal route. As a result of creating Fe(tBu-salen), a metal complex catalysts to degrade plastic, we predict that it will successfully degenerate PET. By determining the best salen ligand metal complex to degrade PET, these results can translate to the mass degradation and efficiency of reducing plastics in the environment.  

40: Can Algae Fix Toxic Waters? Anabaena's Role in Raising pH.

Janice Perkins, Mya Singleton, Brooke Bistline, Anaya Tellado, Sasha Walker

This research study investigated the ability of Anabaena algae to raise the pH level in fresh waterways. Low pH conditions in freshwater, often caused by industrial pollution and agricultural runoff, increases solubility toxicity levels of heavy metals, causing significant risk to aquatic life. The purpose of this study was to explore how effectively Anabaena algae mitigate toxic pH levels under various parameters including varying initial pH, temperature, and algae concentration. Various research studies have been completed on the topic of ocean acidification, but not many on the acidification of fresh waterways. The Anabaena algae concentration was determined using spectrophotometry and freshwater was simulated based on tested creek water using deionized water, magnesium nitrate, and pH 4 buffer. Experimental trials were conducted by varying algae concentration, initial pH, and temperature. All conditions were compared against our replicated standard stock solution. Results showed that all water samples containing Anabaena resulted in a raised pH level when tested over the course of 90 minutes. The most effective concentration of algae was the highest (72.94 mg/L) with initial pH of 7.2 raised to 8.6. The algae proved to be most effective at a higher temperature of 30°C, raising the pH from 7.2 to 8.6. Additionally, an initial pH of 7.3 proved to be the most effective, increasing to 9.1. These findings demonstrate that Anabaena algae can effectively raise pH levels in freshwater systems with potential applications in mitigating water acidification on a larger scale to improve the health of aquatic ecosystems. 

42: Investigating How Different Soil Horizons Affect Brachypodium Distactyon Development

Brian Peralta Baltazar, Alyssa Fisher, Aaron Saifi, Viktor Ochoa-Aragon, Jill Bouchard

Soil nutrients play a key role in the development and growth of an ecosystem’s function. Soil is commonly divided into subsections called horizons, with the uppermost horizons often playing the biggest role in the growth and development of agriculture. In addition to this, these soil horizons are often disturbed in a process commonly referred to as tillage, oftentimes causing long term problems.To test the nutrient density and subsequent effect each soil horizon has on specific plant growth, germinated Brachypodium distachyon seedlings were planted into controlled ECOFab environments, measuring root growth following a period of 3 weeks. The experimental groups contained a filtrate that was created using different soil horizon samples, while in the EcoFABs, the seedlings were monitored for growth. Exact measurements were taken with the use of the ImageJ program of the pictures taken of the initial and final root lengths. The uppermost horizon showed the best results, averaging 28 cm of total root growth, a 17% increase from lower levels. Furthermore, concluding tests indicated a pH of ~8.0 was detached, with some nitrogen and little to no potassium and phosphorus levels.  

44: High Energy Products Get Best Results

Nianna Crawford, Megan Hines

Over 11 tonnes of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year, causing damage to marine life and our water systems. Less than 10% of the plastic produced will be recycled and even less is being broken down each year. With all the plastics investing our resources, it is culminating heavily in the human body, causing problems such as hormone, digestive, reproductive and even respiratory irregularity. The purpose of our research is to develop a product that can help with plastic decomposition while minimizing waste, effects on the environment, and saving time. The plan is to synthesize a catalyst to break down plastics by using our most unstable chemicals together. As the chemicals are high energy and eager to react, it should take minimal effort and intervention to synthesize our desired plastic decomposer. This will help maximize our production and be easily replicable.

46: Crushed or Not: The Effect of Shell Size on Adsorption

Jacquline Kea

Increased population growth, globalization, and growing demands for industrial goods pose a threat to our limited supply of clean water. In an attempt to help eradicate this issue, bioadsorption exhibits promising results by removing contaminants such as dyes from water, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach.  Our research question, “What is the optimal pH of crystal violet solution for pistachio shells in whole and crushed forms to achieve maximum adsorption efficiency?” investigates pistachio as a viable approach to this contamination. It is hypothesized that the crushed form of the pistachio shell will have the highest adsorptive efficiency in an alkaline crystal violet solution, as pistachio shells have increased compatibility between lignocellulosic particles and crystal violet dye. To optimize the adsorption of crystal violet, the pistachio shells were sonicated in isopropyl alcohol and dried for 20 hours after being rinsed in deionized water. Using a spectrophotometer, the absorption of whole and crushed shells in acidic, neutral, and basic conditions of crystal violet was measured.  The results indicate that both the whole and crushed pistachio shells exhibited the highest adsorption in basic crystal violet solution. Additionally, there was no difference in the whole shell adsorption compared to the crushed shells. Whole shells measured a percent removal of 84.34% while crushed shells had a percent removal of 83.57%. This further supports previous research where pistachio shells adsorb the most crystal violet in alkaline conditions and extends our understanding of pistachio shells as bioadsorbents, suggesting that surface area does not play a key role. 

48: From Salicylic Acid to Metal-Organic Catalyst: The Synthesis of a Mn-Salen Complex

Christian Pulido, Zohaib Ayan

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental problems of our time. Unlike biodegradable waste, plastic waste breaks down far less in the environment and remains in landfills and oceans for centuries. One solution to this problem is the synthesis of a metal-organic catalyst that can degrade plastic waste. The catalyst was synthesized through a three-step synthesis. The Reimer-Tiemann reaction was performed on salicylic acid, resulting in the attachment of an aldehyde group to the salicylic acid molecule to form hydroxybenzaldehyde. The reaction of hydroxybenzaldehyde with ethylenediamine resulted in the formation of a Salen ligand. The coordination of a manganese ion to the Salen ligand resulted in the formation of the Mn-Salen catalyst. The successful synthesis of the catalyst was confirmed via UV-Visible spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analyses. Future work will focus on testing the catalyst against common plastics to evaluate its potential as a sustainable method of plastic waste management.