Cigarretes

INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH:

CIGARETTE FILTERS WITH VEGETATION, SOIL, AND SUBTERRANEAN

ENVIRONMENTS

A Capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Arts in Education, Natural Sciences & Environmental Education

By

Eric R. Dahlberg

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

April 11, 2006

Committee:

Assistant Professor Renee Wonser, Committee Chair

Mr. Mike Link, Expert Reader

Ms. Tanya Lendway, Peer Reader

Copyright © by

ERIC R. DAHLBERG

2006

All Rights Reserved

To Suzanne, Madeline and Heather

Thank you for being more than patient with me during this project.

(Please excuse the mess in the garage!)

Abstract

Investigative comparisons between vegetation, soil and subterranean environments

introduced to cigarette filters and those without filters was conducted. Chemical soil tests

were conducted to determine the availability of soil nutrient contents during the

investigation. Observable experiments were recorded on digital media and mechanically

in the form of a log which documented vegetative growth, health and density of

vegetative growth, and the presence or absence of invertebrates. Results indicated that

under certain growing conditions, plants, on average grow higher and have longer roots

than those exposed to cigarette filters over a specific period of time. Other implications

indicate that there may be some connection between cigarette filters introduced to soil

and the depletion of some soil nutrients over a period of time. The less confined a

growing environment was under research conditions, the stronger the evidence indicated

a possible link to cigarette filter pollution impacting the nutrient content and rate of

growth of specific wildflower plants and natural grasses. The introduction of worms was

not a significant indicator to potential cigarette filter impact.

The control man has secured over nature has far outrun his control over himself.

-Ernest Jones

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