Biochar out of Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaves in Absorption of BTEX in

Air, Water and Soil

A Science Investigatory Project (SIP)

Presented to the Faculty of

Quezon National High School

In Partial

Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Research III

By:

Micoh James W. Dayo

Sir Jeric Ilao

Research Adviser
Rationale

The guava plant (Psidium guajava) is native in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean

and northern South America. They were adopted as a crop in subtropical and tropical Asian

countries. It is regarded as an herbal treatment for several diseases due to their medicinal

properties. Guava leaves can also protect your skin against ultraviolet radiation, a major

environmental factor in skin wrinkle formation and hyperpigmentation.

Most research focuses on the healing and medicinal properties of guava (Psidium

guajava) but in this research the researcher will focus on its bioremediation properties and its

potential to absorb Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX). These volatile organic

compounds are classified as priority pollutants regulated by many environmental organizations

around the world. BTEX are carcinogenic compounds which is easily absorbed through the skin

which is harmful to humans. Their presence in water can create a hazard to public health and the

environment. One of the most common sources for BTEX-contamination of soil and

groundwater are spills involving the release of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel

and lubricating and heating oil from leaking oil tanks. Because of their polarity and very soluble

characteristics, the organic chemicals (BTEX) of petroleum products will be able to enter the soil

and groundwater systems and cause serious pollution problems.

BTEX problems can be solved through bioremediation and the researcher wanted to

know what other plants can be used to absorb Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene

(BTEX) that’s why the researcher come up with the study entitled “Biochar out of Guava

(Psidium guajava) Leaves in Absorption of BTEX in Air, Water and Soil”.

The study entitled “Biochar out of Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaves in Absorption of

BTEX in Air, Water and Soil” generally aims to produce a biochar out of guava leaves that

absorbed benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) present in air, water, and soil.

Specifically it sought to:

1. Determine if the Biochar out of Guava (Psidium guajava) leaves have a significant results

in absorbing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.

2. Determine if there is a significant difference in the amount of benzene, toluene,

ethylbenzene, and xylene between the pre-test (no treatment) and post-test (biochar).

3. Determine if there is a significant difference in the amount of benzene, toluene,

ethylbenzene, and xylene absorbed through air, water and soil.

4. Determine the proportion of time and amount of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and

xylene absorbed through air, water and soil.

Hypothesis

H0: There is no significant difference in the amount of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,

and xylene between the pre-test (no treatment) and post-test (biochar).

H0: There is no significant difference in the amount of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,

and xylene absorbed through air, water and soil.

H0: There is no difference between the proportion of time and amount of benzene,

toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene absorbed through air, water and soil.
Engineering Goals

The goal of the study is to produce a biochar out of guava (Psidium guajava) leaves that

can absorbed benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). The study aims to reduce the

amount of BTEX present in air, water and soil. By absorbing the BTEX ,which is a primary

pollutant and a carcinogenic substance, the study lessen the pollutants and risk of humans having

diseases. The study will greatly contribute to our society in different aspects like marine,

agriculture, biology and aerology in producing better quality and productivity.

Expected Outcomes

The study entitled “Biochar out of Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaves in Absorption of

BTEX in Air, Water and Soil” will significantly absorbed the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and

xylene present in air, water and soil. The study will provide a lots of benefits to humans

especially in households where BTEX is prone. BTEX are carcinogenic compounds and a

priority pollutant that can be absorbed by the biochar lessening the problem within pollution (in

air, water, soil) and rate of having cancer (or related diseases). The marine wildlife will also

benefit because BTEX can be found in water with oil spill or petroleum substance and with this

study the water will be much cleaner and safer. The agricultural section will increase their

productivity and better quality of their crops and soil.

Procedures

The researcher will first gather the experimental subjects which are air, water and soil

containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene and have a pre-test to measure the amount

of BTEX present. Next will be the application of biochar out of guava leaves to the different set-

up. The amount of biochar applied are all the same. Each experimental subject will have 3 set-
 ups because there will be a difference in time: the first set-up will have a biochar for 30 minutes,

second for 1 hour and third for 3 hours. After all the treatment is finished the researcher will

conduct a post-test to measure benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene and compare if there

are significant difference between the results of air, water and soil. The proportion of time it

takes and amount of BTEX absorbed is also measured.

Risk and Safety

Since the study will be handling benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)

which are carcinogenic and harmful; and can be easily inhaled and absorbed through the skin of

humans and prolonged exposure to high concentration of BTEX can have mild to severe effects

on health including damages to kidneys, nervous system, liver, eyes, and exacerbation of

respiratory conditions. Because of the risks, the study should be performed in actual laboratory

and the researcher should wear a proper laboratory suit especially face mask. Experts’ assistance

is highly required.

Data Analysis

The researcher will conduct a pre-test and post-test to measure the benzene, toluene,

ethylbenzene, and xylene absorbed. The researcher also need to compare the amount of benzene,

toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) absorbed by the biochar out of guava leaves between

air, water and soil. The proportion of time it takes and amount of BTEX absorbed is also

measured.

Average amount of BTEX

Pre-test Post-test
Subject

Air
Water
Soil
 Figure1.1 (Note: Average = 2(amount of BTEX in 30 minutes)+(amount of BTEX in 1 hour) +

1/3(amount of BTEX in 3 hours) all over 3)

Amount of BTEX
Air Water Soil

30 minutes
Time

1 hour

3 hours

Figure1.2

Bibliography

Srijata Mitra and Pranab Roy, 2011. BTEX : A Serious Ground-water Contaminant. Research

Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5: 394-398

DOI: 10.3923/rjes.2011.394.398 URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjes.2011.394.398

Phoslab Environmental Laboratories. (2019). BTEX: Risks and Control Measures. [online]

Available at: https://www.phoslab.com/btex-risks-and-control-measures/ [Accessed 19 Oct.

2019].

Environment | Department of Environment and Science. (2019). [online] Available at:

https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/management/activities/non-mining/fraccing/btex-chemicals

[Accessed 19 Oct. 2019].

GUAVA AND ASHOK TREE AT THREE DIFFERENT SITES OF BAREILLY DISTRICT-A

CASE STUDY. [online] Pdfs.semanticscholar.org. Available at:

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/38f4/866a1f8dbed597667c9d62176dff60fc4890.pdf [Accessed

19 Oct. 2019].

Burken, J., Wilson, J. and Bartz, R. (2019). Plants as Bio-Indicators of Subsurface Conditions:

Impact of Groundwater Level on Btex Concentrations in Trees. [online] Taylor & Francis.

Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15226514.2013.765769 [Accessed

19 Oct. 2019].