How do Candles and Essential Oils Affect a Earthworms Burrowing Time?

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1 How do Candles and Essential Oils Affect a Earthworms Burrowing Time? Piper 12/14/17

2 ABSTRACT This paper is a detail scientific paper that describes the hypothesis, if the scientist does expose an earthworm to essential oils and candles, then their burrow times will be longer because of the effect candles will have on the earthworms. The research the scientist did was expose earthworms to essential oils and candles. After that, the scientist recorded the worms burrowing time after being exposed. The scientist made a chamber to expose the earthworms in. They were exposed with the two contaminants, essential oils and candles. Then the scientist used plastic cups and potting soil to create a place for the worm to burrow. The scientist tracked the burrowing time to record if the essential oils and candles affect the earthworms tested on. The scientist did this experiment because candles have been known to cause harmful acts in the body, like cancer, and essential oils have been coming in as a replacement. The scientist will include research about the positive and negative effects candles and essential oils have on the human body. The results that were recorded were used to create graphs that our hypothesis was correct or incorrect. INTRODUCTION Candles and essential oils have been proven to be harmful to humans and the environment. Candle wax and candle wicks have been known to be toxic because of the paraffin within them. Paraffin is a Petroleum product which Carcinogenic soot is let out when burned. Petroleum gasoline and oils which are prone to be harmful to humans. If a large

3 amount of this chemical gets into a human s lungs, a person could develop Lipid Pneumonia. Petroleum also can cause DNA damage which can affect the human body greatly. Carcinogenic means something that has the strength to cause cancer. Also, because soot is a dust like material, it can be hard to see and person may not know if they have it around their home or other places. When candle wax has Paraffin in it and burns it, Paraffin can be immensely harmful to a human or other living things. Paraffin wax can also create benzene which can affect blood, bone marrow, and the immune system. Benzene is in cigarettes which are one of the most commonly used harmful product. Lastly, candles can have Toluene in them which can have many effects on the human body and parts of the body. Examples are the eyes, nose, weakness, exhaustion, euphoria, headaches, dizziness, muscle fatigue, liver damage, kidney damage, and dilated pupils. Essential oils are known to be helpful and have many benefits to humans, but if not used the right way they can be harmful to humans. Essential oils can cause harmful rashes on children s skin. Children and baby s skin in much thinner than an adults skin and can be more sensitive. One drop of oil on a child's skin could cause damage. Also, some oils can be immensely harmful if swallowed. Essential oils can also interfere with medication. These oils can also be harmful when pregnant or nursing. The oils can go to the Placenta and reach the baby. Specific oils can also decrease the amount of milk a person may have. If essential oils are on a humans skin when exposed to the Sun s UV rays, the humans skin will become more sensitive to the Sun and the human will have a more likely chance to burn. Sunburn can be very harmful because it can cause skin cancer, which can cause death. These oils need to be used carefully. If used in large amounts they can be very harmful. Lastly, essential oils can be

4 extremely toxic to pets such as dogs. Oils can cause liver and kidney damage, and even death. Buy, essential oils are mostly known for positive effects such as helping the Flu, fighting colds, soothing sore muscles, relaxing the body, skin conditions, relieve pain, balance, hormones, reduce cellulite and wrinkles, and improve digestion. This is if the oils are used properly. Essential oils are also an all natural product, and are made from bark, flowers, fruit, and other natural products. Peppermint essential oils produce calming, relieve sore muscles, and sooth the digestive system and other digestive problems. Cinnamon essential oils can producing a soothing effect in the throat and help pancreatic health. Because essential oils are proven to be better for a human than candles, the scientist decided to test the effects of essential oils verses candles on a earthworm. The scientists hypothesis was, if the scientist do expose an earthworm to essential oils and candles, then their burrowing times will be longer because of the effect candles will have on the earthworms. The scientist tested two different scents, with essential oils and candles and how it would affect an earthworms burrowing time. The scientist's experiment came to a conclusion that candles affect a earthworms burrowing time more negatively than essential oils. The scientist accepted the hypothesis because the results showed that when an earthworm was exposed to candles it s burrowing time was longer, than when exposed to essential oils for the same amount of time. MATERIALS and METHODS In order to complete this experiment, the scientists used a cinnamon candle, Young Living cinnamon bark essential oil, winter mint candle, Young Living peppermint essential oil,

three plastic Solo Squared plastic cups, matches, soil, 10 gallon fish tank, cardboard box, essential oil diffuser, larger towel, beaker for measurement, and a tin tray.

The peppermint essential oil contains 100% pure, therapeutic-grade peppermint oil and leaf oil. The cinnamon essential oil contains 100% pure, therapeutic-grade cinnamon oil and bark oil.

5 three plastic Solo Squared plastic cups, matches, soil, 10 gallon fish tank, cardboard box, essential oil diffuser, larger towel, beaker for measurement, and a tin tray. The specimen the scientist used earthworms from Carolina Biological. We used four drops of each Young Living essential oil in the Young living Dewdrop diffuser. The peppermint essential oil contains 100% pure, therapeutic-grade peppermint oil and leaf oil. The cinnamon essential oil contains 100% pure, therapeutic-grade cinnamon oil and bark oil. The cinnamon scented candle, Yankee Candle Sparkling Cinnamon is made with premium grade paraffin, 100% natural fiber wick, and scents made with essential oils. The peppermint scented candle, DW Home Winter Mint, does not have information available on the ingredients. Picture of set-up(the setup on the right is not complete): Left: Exposure setup Right: Burrowing setup The picture on the left shows the setup that exposes the earthworms both containments which are Young Living essential oils and candles. This setup show the cardboard box sealing the fish tank that has the diffuser inside of it. Inside of the tank, the scientist place a towel on the inside bass of the tank to cover the bottom from any

6 salt of chemicals on the bottom of it. The scientist also placed a tin tray with an earthworm inside of it, when the timing was appropriate. There is also an ipad on the top of the cardboard box to record the exposure time. The picture on the right shows the setup of the worms burrowing time, which is the dependent variable the scientist used to determine which contaminant affect the earthworm more. The scientist used Solo cups to track the worms burrowing time. The scientist used an ipad to time the earthworms burrowing time. To expose the earthworms the the containment the scientist first collect the materials. Once the materials were collected, the scientist created a chamber to expose the earthworms to by placing a towel on the bottom of a 10 gallon fish tank. Then, place lit sparkling cinnamon candle and tin tray on the towel. Cover the fish tank with cardboard box. Place earthworms in tray and expose three earthworms for 30 minutes. While earthworm is being exposed to contaminant, filled cup up with 240 ml of soil. When earthworm exposure time is completed, remove worm from tin tray that was in the chamber and place into cup filled with soil. Track burrowing time from when the worm is placed in soil to when worm is burrowed(completely covered). Record burrowing time. Repeat with winter mint candle. Once finished, create chamber to expose earthworm to essential oils. Do this by removing candle from fish tank and placing diffuser in as a replacement. Keep everything else the same. Place worm in tin tray, expose worm to four drops of cinnamon essential oil for 30 minutes. Create cups of 240 ml of soil. When exposure time is over place worms in soil cups and track burrowing time. Record.

burrowing after being exposed to essential

7 This is a picture of the earthworms burrowing after being exposed to a candle. This is a picture of the earthworms burrowing after being exposed to essential oils. This picture is a picture of a earthworm burrowing in the habitat made out of the plastic cup.

8 RESULTS Candles are used everyday, but have been proven to be harmful to the environment and living things. Essential oils and diffusers have become a healthier replacement. To see if candles were more harmful than essential oils, the scientist used earthworms to contaminate and test on. The scientist used earthworms to test on because they are living this and are all over in the environment. Candles have been known to cause cancer, lung disease, liver damage, and many other harmful disorders in the human body. But, candles aren t just known to harm humans; they can harm all living things. Because of the previous research, the scientist hypothesised that if the scientist does expose an earthworm to essential oils and candles, then their burrowing times will be longer because of the effect candles will have on the earthworm. This experiment was important because it relates to the everyday world. People use candles and essential oils and it is important to known that they are and why they can be harmful to you.

9 Burrowing Time For Each Test Winter Mint Sparkling Cinnamon Peppermint Cinnamon Bark Burrowing time (Min) Candle Candle Essential Oil Essential Oil Worm # DEAD Worm #2 time > Worm # 3 time > Average *time over 20 is average as 20 min Burrowing Time (Min) Candles Essential Oils Averages added The data in the table above proves that essential oils are less harmful that candles. The average time it takes and earthworm to burrow is 4.26 minutes. After each worm was exposed to all contaminates, the scientist track their burrowing times. The burrowing times are recorded in the chart above. These burrowing times were average(shown above) and the contaminate with the most normal burrowing time was the peppermint essential oil. Then the scientist added the averages together by category. The independent variable, the candle and essential oils, both affect the dependent variable, the earthworms burrowing times. The scientist knew that this experiment was accurate because the constants are the towel, the fish tank, the tin

10 tray, the cardboard box, the burrowing environment, and measurements. The only variables that changed during the experiment were the diffuser, candles, and the worms. After the scientist s further research, the data from the experiments was not statistically significant. The scientist tested the data by using a t-test. The data was compared by Essential Oils burrowing time to control burrowing time, and candle burrowing time to control burrowing time. (Below: Blue is when earthworm is exposed to contaminant; Red is control) The data below is the new data that proves that the data is not statistically significant. The candle affect the worms more than the essential oils, but not to the amount to make it significant. The data above shows that the average burrowing time when exposed to candles was minutes. The average burrowing time when exposed to essential oils was The controlled burrowing time average was 4.25 minutes. The times of burrowing for the candles were, in minutes, 6.43, time>20, time>20, 2.53, 4.33, and The times for the burrowing time when exposed to essential oils were, in minutes, 3.92, 5.22, 9.37, dead, 15.00, and 7.12.

The earthworm that died was not average because he died of exposure to salt in the fish tank. The salt was something that tampered with our experiment.

11 The earthworm that died was not average because he died of exposure to salt in the fish tank. The salt was something that tampered with our experiment. Some things that may have compromised the scientists experiment results are the uncleaned fish tank. The fish tank had salts, crust, and other substances at the bottom. Besides the scientist first trial, the scientist covered the bottom with a towel to prevent any other problems. Another thing that may have harm the experiment is that the candles were two different brands. The ingredients within them are not constant. The timing was also inaccurate because there were multiple tests going on at once so the timing could be one to three seconds off. The cardboard box closing the chamber was also not large enough to cover the entire exposure chamber. Every time the box was put on it was release a larger or smaller amount of

12 air. Another thing that may have tampered with our experiment is if the diffuser was completely cleared of all other oils. There may have been other oils in the diffuser and those oils may have effect the earthworms in different ways. The scientist did not use the same earthworm for each experiment with may have cause default. Some earthworms may have reacted differently that other earthworms. The earthworms could also have other contributions to their actions such as the amount of food beginning fed to them, the habitat, exposure to other scientists experiments, and any small contributions that may change the reaction. If the scientist had more trials, the experiment would be more accurate, but not change the final result. If the scientist created a different experiment using constant candles, the same worm, a clean fish tank, and the other problems, the scientist may find different results. The scientist could also test reaction or if the earthworm habituated to something after being exposed their may be different results because the data before was not statistically significant. Altho the data was not statistically significant, the candles were more harmful to the worms that the essential oils. DISCUSSION The scientist hypothesis was if the scientist does expose an earthworm to essential oils and candles, then their burrowing times will be longer because of the effect candles will have on the earthworms. The results show in the RESULTS section rejected our hypothesis. At first, the scientist thought that he results proved the hypothesis, but after further research the scientist discovered that the data was not statistically significant. The times for the burrowing time when exposed to a candles(winter Mint or Sparkling Cinnamon) did not have a pattern

13 which may explain the reason for the results not being statistically significant. The burrowing times recorded in the data were 6.43 minutes, time>20.00 minutes, time>20.00 minutes, 2.53 minutes, 4.33 minutes, and minutes. This number are all very spread out. On the other hand, the essential oils numbers in the data are fairly close to each other. The burrowing times of the earthworm when exposed to essential oils were 3.92 minutes, 5.22 minutes, 9.37 minutes, no time(dead), 1.00 minutes, and 7.12 minutes. This times could show that the experiment was more accurate. It could also show that the essential oils were a more constant variable when acting upon the earthworm(s). This data explains why the scientist reject the hypothesis they scientist made. Some possible errors as I listed above in the RESULTS section are the uncleaned fish tank with the salts and crust at the bottom, the constant ingredients in the candles, the timing is not as accurate as it could be, because other tests were going on. The closure of the chamber and the air gap from the cardboard box was different every time. This may have caused the contaminate to escape the chamber. Another thing that may have affected the earthworms were the earthworms being exposed to other essential oils. The diffuser may have not been completely clean of essential oils which have may had other chemicals react upon the earthworms. The last thing that may have affected the earthworms is the scientist did not use the same earthworm for every experiment. Some earthworms may have previously been exposed to other chemicals which may change the reaction to the essential oils and candles. All of these could have been the reason the data for the candles did not have any trends or patterns. This may explain why the minimum and maximum are not close in the essential oil data. The changes to these errors and problems can be found in the results section.

14 Neither the candles or the essential oils affected the earthworms. This could be because of the errors in the experiment. Another reason the candles may have not affect the earthworm is because candles can be harmful in the long run. They do not affect a human instantaneously which may be the reason they didn t affect the worms immediately. Then Wintermint candle also did not include paraffin in it. Paraffin is the one of the chemicals in candles which is a cancer causing chemical. The earthworm may not have been affected by the candle because there was not paraffin in the candle. None of the candles ingredients included the wick ingredients. The wicks ingredients may have been harmful or safe which is another possibility for the reason the scientists data turned out the way it did. The essential oils did not affect an earthworm. Essential oils are a all natural product that are harmful. The oils are known to help certain parts of the body like, the brain, the skin, and many other things. The oils did not work on the earthworms, but they also didn t affect the earthworms. The candles were more harmful to the earthworm that the essential oils by 3.2 seconds, but the data was not statistically significant(quickcalcs was the site used to process our data). This investigation and the knowledge gained by the scientist are very important to other scientist and the society. Other scientist need to look further into the knowledge of candles and how harmful they are. The society may want to look further into candles as well. This research concluded that essential oils are not harmful, but that they may not have a positive effect either. Essential oils are an all natural product which makes people assume that they are good for the environment. But, it is important for the scientists to take into consideration that some of these oils are harming the environment by taking products from the environment. Now that

15 the research for the effect our done, the scientist can research if the essential oils are truly helping the environment if they are taking resources away from the environment. My results are relevant because earthworms are living things and so arm humans. Altho they are very similar, it is important to keep them safe because they are part of our environment. The environment helps humans everyday, and the humans need to help the environment to keep living as best as they can. The results are also relevant because candles are harmful to humans and earthworms can be a living time to test on. This data could help scientist when experimenting with the effects of candles on humans. The scientist might find other harmful things that are caused by candles. The scientist may find a new way to make candles safer. To further the scientists investigation, the scientist would correct all the errors and do more trials because that would be more accurate. The scientist would also test different things on the earthworm such as reaction or if the earthworm was able to learn after being exposed to the two containates, essential oils and candles. The next time the scientist conducts the experiment, there will be more trials done to create a more accurate and precise experiment. If there are more trials during this experiment, the scientist s results may be statistically significant. Works Cited Google Search, Google,

16 =on. Essential Oil Singles. Essential Oils Singles Young Living Essential Oils, Health and Fitness News, Recipes, Natural Remedies. Dr. Axe, draxe.com/. HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News. The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, Ideas To Live A Healthier, More Natural Life. Natural Living Ideas, naturallivingideas.com/. Iyer, Shweta. Evolutionary Relatives? Humans, Flies, And Worms Show Remarkable Similarities In Gene Expressions. Medical Daily, 27 Aug. 2014, Main Page. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Jan. 2018, Phoenix, Arizona News and Weather ABC15 Arizona. KNXV, abc15.com/. Sparkling Cinnamon Large Classic Jar Candles. Yankee Candle, Toxicity Of Essential Oils. Aromatherapy Bible, aromatherapybible.com/toxicity-of-essentialoils/. Wonderful Worms. YouTube, YouTube, 21 Nov. 2012, Dictonary.com -&NbspThis Website Is for Sale! -&Nbspdictonary Resources and Information. Dictonary.com -&NbspThis Website Is for Sale! -&Nbspdictonary Resources and Information., dictonary.com/.

Jordan Ciccone 9 th Grade Pittsburgh Central Catholic Highschool

Jordan Ciccone 9 th Grade Pittsburgh Central Catholic Highschool *Many different purposes -Aroma -Light -Bug Repelling *Wax -Petroleum derived paraffin (C 25 H 52 ) -Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Clear Gels -Paraffin