Effects of Greywater on Helianthus Annuus Growth Nicole...

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Running Head: EFFECTS OF GREYWATER

Effects of Greywater on Helianthus Annuus Growth

Nicole Fleming and Mary McDonald

EDUC-4260

Matthew Roy

February 26, 2014

EFFECTS OF GREYWATER 2

Abstract

This paper is about the impacts of greywater on the growth of plants. The study looked

at the effects of four different types of greywater on the growth of Helianthus Annuus

(sunflower) plants. It studied the effects of laundry water, dish water, shower water, and a

mixture of the three on plant growth. This was done by allocating three Helianthus Annuus

plants for each type of water, watering them every day for a period of 29 days and measuring

them once a week. The study found that the mixture of the three types of greywater resulted in

the most growth. Following that it was shower, laundry and dish water in respective order

with the control having the least amount of growth. The higher amount of natural and some

artificial materials in the various grey waters enabled the plants to have higher levels of

growth.

Introduction

Greywater is composed of non-toilet wastewater that households produce, which can

include water from showers, sinks, and washing machines (Wiel-Shafran, Ronen, Weisbrod,

Adar & Gross, 2005). The use of said greywater for irrigation is becoming increasingly

common (Wiel-Shafran et al, 2005), especially for irrigation of household lawns and gardens

(Misra, Patel, & Baxi, 2010). According to current studies, the use of untreated greywater can

result in poor soil quality and can increase environmental pollution (Wiel-Shafran et al, 2005).

It is also considered hazardous for humans, as there is the potential for infection to occur

(Misra, 2010). The use of greywater for irrigation may reduce plant growth due high

concentrations of sodium, zinc and aluminium that is found in greywater (Misra, 2010);

therefore, it may not be considered a viable option for irrigation.


The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the impact of greywater on plant

growth, and to determine the applicability of using grey water for plant growth. The results

can be used to justify the use and application of greywater for sustaining plant growth in daily

life. Controlling the type of greywater given to each plant enabled the demonstration of which

source of liquid allows for the greatest amount of plant growth. Greywater can be collected in

a number of different ways. For this study, the greywater was collected by gather all liquid and

associated materials from each source, and then taking a sample of each source. Each sample

was used for the entire duration of the study. Greywater is apart of our daily lives, and the use

of greywater can help with the conservation of water. Research of this nature is important for

water conservation and environmental sustainability, as it demonstrates alternative methods

for watering plants, while still producing growth.

Hypothesis

If grey water is used to water the Helianthus Annuus seeds then there will be a

reduction in plant growth compared to the growth of the control plants.

Research Question

When comparing grey water sources, the dish water will produce the most growth.

This is due to the composition of the dish water, which is likely to include “bacteria, organic

matter, food particles, fat, oil, grease,” which positively affects plant growth (Jordan, 2006, p.

10). This positive plant growth will be due to more nutrients being available to the plant from

the greywater, outweighing the negative affects caused by soap and detergent residue.

The shower water will produce the second most growth, also due to the increase in

organic matter. The organic matter, which may include “bacteria, hair, organic material, [and]


skin particles” (Jordan, 2006, p. 10), will be present in a smaller concentration than that of the

dish water, producing less growth than the plants watered with dish water.

The laundry water will produce the third most growth of the greywater sources, due to

the lack of organic matter in comparison to the other sources of greywater. Since laundry

water often contain detergents with bleach, the salinity and pH of this greywater source is

increased, which negatively affects the growth of plants (Jordan, 2006).

We believe that the mixed greywater will produce the least growth, due to higher

levels of soaps and detergents, which will negatively affect the growth of plants (Jordan,

2006). The presence of these soaps and detergents will outweigh the positive effects from the

organic matter presence, overall negatively effecting plant growth.

Due to the presence of detergents in all of the sources of greywater, all plants will have

less growth than that of the control.

Materials

• 460 milliliters of Tap water

• 460 milliliters of Laundry Water

• 460 milliliters of Dishwater

• 460 milliliters of Shower water

• Mixed water: 1:1:1 ratio of the various grey waters listed above

• 5 Helianthus Annuus seeds

• 15 planter pots

• 3.54 liters of Miracle Gro - Seed starting soil

• Tablespoon

• 4 containers for the water


Method

This study was conducted over the period of 30 days. To begin, the 15 Helianthus

Annuus (herein referred to as sunflower) seeds, from the same package, were submerged in tap

water for a period of 24 hours prior to being planted. The seeds that were selected were of

similar size to attempt to control the starting conditions. When planting the seeds, 237 mL of

soil was placed in each of the 15 planter pots and a 12.5 mm hole was dug in each pot. A

sunflower seed was then placed in each hole and covered with soil. Each planter pot was had

30 milliliters (two tablespoons) of the appropriate water source poured directly over where the

seeds had been planted. There were three seeds planted in separate planter pots for each source

of water, therefore, there were:

o three seeds planted for tap water

o three seeds planted for laundry water

o three seeds planted for shower water

o three seeds planted for dish water

o three seeds planted for a mixture of the greywater

Each planter pot received 15 mL (one tablespoon) of the assigned water source daily, for 29

days. The plants were placed on a table where all of the plants would get the same amount of

sunlight. They were away from the heaters in the room and the room was kept at a constant

temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. All of the sources of grey water were obtained on the first

day of the experiment and used throughout the duration of the experiment. The laundry water

was collected when there was 150 mL of Sunlight Cold Water laundry detergent for 170 L.

There was 15 mL of dish soap in 20 L of dishwater. For the shower water 30 mL of soap and

shampoo combined was put into 80 L of shower water. Observations were made when growth

was first observed, and then were recorded weekly from the day of planting. Measurements


were taken from the soil to the highest point on the plant, or the apex. If the plant was not able

to support itself, then it was lifted to the height it would naturally be standing if it were able to

support itself, and measurements were taken from the apex of that standing position.

Figure 1: Planting Arrangement of the Sunflower Seeds

Safety Considerations

When conducting this experiment, it is important to prevent any materials from being

ingested, inhaled, or contact with the eyes. This includes soils, and greywater sources. Due to

the composition of the soil and the greywater sources, ingestion, inhalation, or contact with the

eyes could result in irritation. To prevent this, wear safety goggles and proceed with caution

when handling soils and greywater. If ingestion, inhalation, or contact with the eyes occurs,

follow appropriate warnings on containers of soils, soaps, and detergents.


Results

December 1st was the first day that we saw growth.

Chart 1. The Comparison of the Effects of Different Types of Grey Water on Plant Growth

Chart 2. Control Plant Growth

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 7 14 21 30

Plant Growth (mm)

Day

Tallest Plant Growth for the Various Types of Grey Water Sources

Control Plant Growth

Dishwater Plant Growth

Shower Water Plant Growth

Laundry Water Plant Growth

Mixed Grey Water Plant Growth

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 7 14 21 30

Plant Growth (mm)

Day

Sun<lower Plant Growth For the Control

Plant 1

Plant 2

Plant 3


Chart 3. Dish Water Plant Growth

Chart 4. Shower Water Plant Growth

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

1 7 14 21 30

Plant Growth (mm)

Days

Sun<lower Plant Growth For Dishwater

Plant 1

Plant 2

Plant 3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

1 7 14 21 30

Plant Growth (mm)

Days

Sun<lower Plant Growth for Shower Water

Plant 1

Plant 2

Plant 3


Chart 5. Laundry Water Plant Growth

Chart 6. Mixed Grey Water Plant Growth

As demonstrated in the results above, the mixed greywater had the largest amount of

plant growth. The next source of greywater that had a large amount of plant growth was the

shower water, followed by laundry water, dishwater, and finally the control plant. The three

plants for each source of water had similar results and were consistent with the overall

comparison of plant growth between the various sources of greywater.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

1 7 14 21 30

Plant Growth (mm)

Day

Sun<lower Plant Growth For Laundry Water

Plant 1

Plant 2

Plant 3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

1 7 14 21 30

Plant Growth (mm)

Day

Sun<lower Plant Growth For Mixed Water

Plant 1

Plant 2

Plant 3


Discussion

There was a large amount of plant growth in the mixture of the three types of

greywater (refer to Chart 6), potentially due to the idea that there were the most amounts of

potential nutrients to optimize the amount of plant growth. Within the laundry machine, there

are materials like “dirt, lint, oil, grease, organic material, sodium, nitrates, and phosphates,

bleach, increase the salinity and pH ” (Jordan, 2006, p.10). The natural ingredients like skin

and other organic materials in addition to the nitrates and phosphates all give the plants more

nutrients to help increase the amount of growth (Jordan, 2006). In our laundry water, we did

not use bleach or a detergent containing bleach, therefore, our grey water contained fewer

materials than listed above. Due to the nature of laundry water and from our research, we

speculate that there would be organic matter, dirt, lint, grease, nitrates, and phosphates; all of

which give the plants more nutrients and assist in growth, compared to the control (refer to

Chart 1).

In dish water there is likely to be “bacteria, organic matter, food particles, fat, oil,

grease, soap, and detergent residue,” which affects plant growth (Jordan, 2006, p. 10).

Although there is some organic matter, which will increase the amount of plant growth for

these plants, the soaps and detergent residues have chemicals that reduce the amount of plant

growth (Jordan, 2006). Food particles, oil, and grease could be observed in the dish water that

was collected, leading us to believe that there was also bacteria and other organic matter; as

well as the soap and detergent residue. Each of those components would affect plant growth

compared to the control (refer to Chart 1 and Chart 3). Unlike what we additionally believed,

the dish water did not have a lot of plant growth, presumably due to the high concentrations of

soaps, detergent, and grease, which negatively affects plant growth.


For shower water, there is usually “bacteria, hair, organic material, skin particles, lint,

oil, grease, soap, and detergent residue” (Jordan, 2006, p.10). Just like with the dish water,

some of the organic matter will help increase the growth of the plants (Jordan, 2006), while

other components of the grey water will hinder growth. The shampoos, soaps, and

conditioners that are part of the shower water contain more chemicals such as bleaches,

sodium and chloride, which are very harmful to sunflower plants (Jordan, 2006; Wang et. al,

2012). Within our sources of greywater, the make-up positively affected the growth of the

plants, resulting in more growth than the control (refer to Chart 1 and Chart 4), potentially due

to the low concentrations of soaps in comparison to the concentration of organic materials,

such as the ones listed above.

The mixed source of greywater had the most growth (refer to Chart 1 and Chart 6). It is

believed that this growth was due to a higher concentration of organic material from the

combination of the sources of greywater, which allowed for the increased plant growth. It is

also believed, due to the increased plant growth that this source had a lower concentration of

soaps and detergents, which resulted in less inhibition of plant growth.

With an increase in ratio of water to soaps, detergents, shampoos and other chemical

products used for cleaning, there was a decrease in the potential chemicals in the sources used

to irrigate the plants. The increase of these chemicals, such as sodium, decreased the amount

of water being absorbed by the plants (Jordan, 2006). Chemicals like sodium also decrease the

amount of discolouring and burning of the leaves (Jordan, 2006). Although we did not find

this happening to any of our plants, as they were all green and standing upright, it would be

good to look at what point this would happen.


Errors

This study encountered some experimental errors, which may have influenced our

results. There could have been some human error, which would include incorrect measurement

of the amount of soil added initially, and the amount of liquids given to each plant. This could

have been due to sloppiness or spilling of materials during measurement and transfer from the

source to the plant. When collecting the sources of greywater, improper collection techniques

may have affected the composition of the greywater sources and ultimately affected the

growth of the plants. This could include the improper cleaning of holding containers or

measurement equipment, which could have contaminated the greywater sources and/or the

plants. During observation and recording, poor recording could have occurred from a variation

of eye level when reading the measurement. This would result in improper measurements

being taken, altering the results. Taking precautions to be aware of human errors and being

precautious during steps will assist in minimizing human errors. These precautions can include

accurate measurements of materials by using proper and specific measuring tools, measuring

results from eye level, and not rushing through steps.

Experimental errors could have also occurred, which would also alter the results. The

location of the plants within the set-up of the experiment would influence the conditions,

which the plants were under. Movement and rotation of plants could have assisted in

minimizing this effect. Another error is the differentiation of seeds, due to natural differences,

which results in different abilities of growth and successful maturation. During measurement

and transfer of greywater from source to plant, evaporation of the liquid may have occurred

due to natural environmental effects on the liquids. This evaporation alters the amount of

liquid being given to the plants, influencing the results. Awareness of experimental error can

allow for a more accurate interpretation of the results.


Conclusion

All of our plants had growth, suggesting that each mixture of grey water had natural

and organic matter, which assisted in growth; rather than harmful chemicals that would hinder

growth. Our results did not support our hypothesis. The control, in fact, had the least amount

of growth when we predicted that the control would have the greatest amount of growth. We

also thought that the sunflower seeds watered with the mixed grey water would produce the

least amount of growth; instead they had the greatest amount of growth. Our other prediction

was that the shower water would produce the greatest amount of growth, and it showed the

second greatest amount of growth. Although our hypothesis was disproved, we were pleased

with our results; which support the use of grey water for watering household plants.

It is difficult to determine how successful future uses of grey water use for watering

household plants will be, because the concentration of grey water will change from household

to household. By using watered down greywater or organic soaps, there would be an increase

in plant growth, as there would be a further reduction in the amount of harmful chemicals

(Jordan, 2006). Since the concentrations that were used for this study may not be the same

concentrations used in homes, the results will vary in different situations. We suggest watering

down grey water to decrease the concentration of potential harmful chemicals, and increase

the potential for growth. Overall, this study found that using grey water to irrigate household

plants is a viable option for reducing water consumption, while still having positive plant

growth.


References

Jordan, A. (2006). Overview of greywater management Health considerations. World Health

Organization. Retrieven Jan 11th, 2014 from, http://applications.emro.who.int/

dsaf/dsa1203.pdf

Misra, R. K., Patel, J. H., & Baxi, V. R. (2010). Reuse potential of laundry greywater for

irrigation based on growth, water and nutrient use of tomato. J. Hydrol., 386(1-4), 95-

102.

Planet Ark. (2007). Grey Water. Retrieved Jan 10th, 2014 from, http://products.planet

ark.org/documents/doc-163-greywater-information-guide.pdf

Wang, J., Bai, Z., Yang, P., (2012). Sodic Soil Properties and Sunflower Growth as Affected

by the Byproducts of Flue Gas Desulfurization. PLoS ONE 7(12): e52437. doi:

10.1371/journal.pone.0052437

Wiel-Shefran, A., Ronen, Z., Weisbrod, N., Adar, E., & Gross, A. (2005). Potential changes in

soil properties following irrigation with surfactant-rich greywater. Ecological

Engineering, 26, 348-354.


APPENDIX 1

Day Control

Plant

Growth

(mm) 5

Dishwater

Plant Growth

(mm) 4

Shower

water Plant

growth

(mm) 2

Laundry

Water Plant

growth

(mm) 3

Mixed Grey

Water Plant

Growth

(mm) 1

1 -

Nov. 25th,

2013

0 0 0 0 0

7 -

Dec. 1st,

2013

10 0 35 30 40

14 -

Dec. 8,

2013

15 12 49 45 55

21 -

Dec. 15th,

2013

27 26 56 50 68

30 -

Dec.22nd

2013

39 41 70 64 80

Table 1. Tallest Plant Growth for the Various Types of Water Sources


Day Plant 1 ( mm) Plant 2 ( mm) Plant 3 (mm)

1 -

Nov. 25th, 2013

0 0 0

7 -

Dec. 1st, 2013

7 10 8

14 -

Dec. 8, 2013

15 12 13

21 -

Dec. 15th,

2013

21 20 27

30 -

Dec.22nd

2013

35 30 39

Table 2. Plant Growth For the Control



1 -

Nov. 25th, 2013

0 0 0

7 -

Dec. 1st, 2013

0 0 0

14 -

Dec. 8, 2013

12 6 10

21 -

Dec. 15th,

2013

18 16 26

30 -

Dec.22nd

2013

31 29 41

Table 3. Dishwater Plant Growth



1 -

Nov. 25th, 2013

0 0 0

7 -

Dec. 1st, 2013

35 20 26

14 -

Dec. 8, 2013

49 37 41

21 -

Dec. 15th,

2013

56 50 52

30 -

Dec.22nd

2013

70 59 61

Table 4. Shower Water Plant Growth



1 -

Nov. 25th, 2013

0 0 0

7 -

Dec. 1st, 2013

15 30 24

14 -

Dec. 8, 2013

27 45 39

21 -

Dec. 15th,

2013

36 50 46

30 -

Dec.22nd

2013

49 64 58

Table 5. Laundry Water Plant Growth



1 -

Nov. 25th, 2013

0

0 0

7 -

Dec. 1st, 2013

40 27 34

14 -

Dec. 8, 2013

55 42 48

21 -

Dec. 15th,

2013

68 51 64

30 -

Dec.22nd

2013

80 65 72

Table 6. Mixed Grey Water Plant Growth

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