Science Fair Project Ideas in Ecology

Water Pollution

• What effects do phosphate detergents have on the oxygen level of local ponds?

• What is the effect of pollution on aquatic life?

• Is water pollution higher in urban or rural creeks?

• Do chemical fertilizers contribute to the growth of lake algae?

• Examine and compare different methods of water purification and filtration.

• Can magnetism be used to remove minerals from "hard" water?

• Research and demonstrate methods of pasteurizing or purifying water using
only sunlight as the source of heat.

• Is there a relationship between well water contamination and animal pens?

• What is the effect of an oil spill on marine life?
• Is it possible recover the oil from an ocean spill?

• Examine how various pollutants (animal wastes, fertilizers, phosphates, acids)
affect the growth of bacteria and/or algae in bodies of water.

• Compare the buffer capacity of local water sources and a means of measuring
the relative pollution levels of those bodies of water.

• Take water samples from several different locations in your area and test
them for pH and fertilizer/sewage contamination.

• How effective is lettuce as a bioassay medium for determining the
toxicity of water contaminants?

• What effect does water turbidity have on dissolved oxygen?

• What are the effects of biodegradable wastes on dissolved oxygen?

Air Pollution

• Is local air pollution getting worse, or is it improving?

• Examine and compare different methods of air purification and filtering.

• From which direction does our area receive the most particulate air pollution?

• Compare the type and quantity of airborn particles at various sites near you.

• Does carbon dioxide contribute to warming in a closed environment?

• What aerosols are in the air and does air quality affect asthma rates?

• Does methane contribute to warming in a closed environment?

• Determine if plants make adaptations to compensate for air pollution.

• Research and experiment with different plants to see if any of them can be
used as an indicator of air pollution.

Soil Pollution/Control

• What are the effects on plant life when detergents are added to the soil?

• Examine and compare the biodegradability of different soap powders.

• How long will weed-killing herbicides contaminate the soil?
(This may end up being a long-term project)

• How does the rate of rainfall affect soil erosion?  Demonstrate.

• Compare the effects of Polyacrylamide vs. Polyacrylate on soil erosion.

• Which method works best to control soil erosion?

Environmental Pollution

• Which type of antifreeze is safest for the environment?

• Which types of paper decompose the most rapidly when buried?

• Which types of cloth decompose the most rapidly when buried?

• Can food scraps and waste quickly and economically be turned into compost?

• What is the role of heat and microbes in composting?

• What effect would an oil spill have on plant life?

• Does a student's grade level have a bearing on their knowledge of pollution?

• Demonstrate how paper can be recycled and paper made at home..

Global Warming/Pollution

• What effect does Carbon Dioxide have on global warming?

• Compare the CO2 levels from different gas sources to determine their
effect on global warming.

• Demonstrate the greenhouse effect by measuring the temperature
within a light trap (box covered with glass or plastic).

• Where does methane come from and how does it affect global warming?

• Do older students know more about deforestation than younger students?

• What are the causes of acid rain? Can we duplicate acid rain in the lab?

• What effect does acid rain have on plant life?

• Research methods of determining past climate conditions, and prepare a
demonstration relating past climates in your local area to the tree rings shown
in a recently cut down tree.

Miscellaneous

• Is trash incineration a viable alternative to landfills?

• Does the pH of rainwater vary from place to place in our community?