Can hydrogels help improve the environment?
As you discovered, a hydrogel is a superabsorbent polymer—which can hold up to 500 times its own weight in water. Could hydrogels be used to address water conservation and groundwater contamination? Create an experiment that tests how hydrogels could work in soil. Set up two soil soakers, which are the experimental devices you will use for your experiment. • Prepare two Soil Soakers by cutting off the bottoms of the clear plastic bottles. Put one hole in each screw on cap using a 3/16″ diameter nail and hammer or use a 3/16″ drill bit (see drawing). Think safety — this step might require adult help. • Label one bottle as the Control Soil Soaker and the other bottle as the Experimental Soil Soaker. • Put 1 cup of potting soil into the Control Soil Soaker and place bottle into tall, narrow drinking glass, lid side down and open side up. • Obtain about 1 tablespoon of hydrogel powder (see the Engage activity if you are harvesting hydrogel powder from diapers). • Mix 1 cup of potting soil
