Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Plant Growth
By Amanat Harry
Junior Category (Grades 7-8)
Experiment | Environment
Carbon dioxide is the gas used by plants to fuel photosynthesis. Research also shows that CO2 has harmful effects on our environment. To find out, I conducted an experiment on two primrose plants. I put both plants under garden cloches, but my experiment plant also had a carbon dioxide mixture made by vinegar and baking soda. I also did a variation of my experiment, using green gram sprouts instead of primrose plants. During my research and experimentation, I found out that rising levels of CO2 lead to poor plant growth. This is because more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reduce the plant’s nitrogen absorption. In conclusion, excess CO2 leads to poor plant growth, wilted leaves, less flower growth, and increased temperatures. Since carbon dioxide has harmful effects on plants, humans can also be affected. Research shows that CO2 toxicity can lead to visual, auditory, respiratory, muscular, central, and heart-related symptoms. Human activities are emitting about 42 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. If we want to find a solution to this problem, we need to know where carbon dioxide comes from.
CO2 is mostly produced by transportation, factories, energy, and stuff we buy. Did you know that the production of food such as lamb, beef, and cheese release more carbon dioxide into the air than we think? If one person plants 12 trees, save 50 gallons of fuel, and recycle 460 tons of waste, it will reduce 1000 lbs of CO2 from the atmosphere. We need to take immediate action.
