Activity – Hydrogen peroxide addition to soil and compost Supplies
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2 glasses or clear plastic jars with lids 6 percent hydrogen peroxide (available at any drug store) Small shovel or other tool to dig up your samples Compost and “regular soil” from the ground
Instructions 1. Pour a hefty scoop of soil into one clear plastic jar and a hefty scoop of compost into the other jar. 2. Add three to four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. 3. Record your observations of the two samples.
Observations Soil:
Compost:
Interpretation When you combine hydrogen peroxide with soils or compost, it mainly reacts with the organic matter. The reaction results in a visible fizzing. This fizzing is due to the hydrogen peroxide resting with the organic matter and, in the process, producing carbon dioxide bubbles. The more organic matter in a sample, the more fizzing you will observe.
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