Popsicle sticks are usually made from Birch wood. The ones we decided to use for the experiment were also made from Birch. It's ease of use and reasonable price, have made it a great craftwood, for most wood involving projects. It's used extensively for firewood and it has been turned to make tongue depressors, tooth picks, pulped for paper, and furniture. There is little it has not been used for which is also why it is used for popsicle sticks. Birch has a uniform texture, closed pored and has no significant odor. After Birch dries, it loses almost 16% of its volume from fresh to dry lumber. Like most other types of wood, it is not resistant to decay, fungal and insect attack. This leaves to the three main contributors of wood decay which are fungal and insect infection as well as weathering. However for our experiment, we will only consider the decaying effects of fungus and weathering because insects will likely not be a factor in what we are trying to test.
Fungus: Fungal infection are grouped into three categories: brown rot, white rot and soft rot. These fungi will attack the three major chemical components of the wood: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. When wood-degrading fungi decays the wood, it starts to become weaker and lose its strength. The strength loss will vary depending on the type of fungi involved. Brown rot usually attacks softer woods such as Douglas, Cedar and Pine. Despite this, it is also likely that they can infest hardwoods such as Birch or Oak. White rot usually occurs on hardwood and they can be observed as a white bleached spot on wood. The rot which this experiment is mainly concerned about however, is soft rot. Soft rot is caused from over exposure to moisture and appears to be black or super dark brown. Examples of soft rot can be found on wooden playgrounds or on wooden benches after a week of rain. Ocean water contains a many types of fungi, a majority being sea sponges and other organisms. Very few are harmful species containing decaying properties. Fresh water have less amounts and species as the environment is less compatible for growth.
Weathering: Weathering is also a main factor in the deterioration of wood because it includes the introduction of moisture. Rain wears out the wood because moisture seeps into the cracks and causes expanding of the wood. Expanding of wood with wet surface makes the wood prone to bacteria and yeast infection which will lead to rotting of wood. As our experiment is modelling weathering by exposing the sticks to water long term, we will expect the wood to expand and become more prone to rot infection.
Salt Preservation: The main reason why salt is used so widely as a preservative is because of its ability to withdraw water and moisture from foods through osmosis. As the water is drawn out, the surface of the wood becomes inhabitable for bacteria. Salt also limits bacteria’s ability to absorb oxygen and also interferes with cellular enzymes. This further causes bacteria growth to decline and creates an intoxicating seal around the substance trying to be preserved.
Fungus: Fungal infection are grouped into three categories: brown rot, white rot and soft rot. These fungi will attack the three major chemical components of the wood: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. When wood-degrading fungi decays the wood, it starts to become weaker and lose its strength. The strength loss will vary depending on the type of fungi involved. Brown rot usually attacks softer woods such as Douglas, Cedar and Pine. Despite this, it is also likely that they can infest hardwoods such as Birch or Oak. White rot usually occurs on hardwood and they can be observed as a white bleached spot on wood. The rot which this experiment is mainly concerned about however, is soft rot. Soft rot is caused from over exposure to moisture and appears to be black or super dark brown. Examples of soft rot can be found on wooden playgrounds or on wooden benches after a week of rain. Ocean water contains a many types of fungi, a majority being sea sponges and other organisms. Very few are harmful species containing decaying properties. Fresh water have less amounts and species as the environment is less compatible for growth.
Weathering: Weathering is also a main factor in the deterioration of wood because it includes the introduction of moisture. Rain wears out the wood because moisture seeps into the cracks and causes expanding of the wood. Expanding of wood with wet surface makes the wood prone to bacteria and yeast infection which will lead to rotting of wood. As our experiment is modelling weathering by exposing the sticks to water long term, we will expect the wood to expand and become more prone to rot infection.
Salt Preservation: The main reason why salt is used so widely as a preservative is because of its ability to withdraw water and moisture from foods through osmosis. As the water is drawn out, the surface of the wood becomes inhabitable for bacteria. Salt also limits bacteria’s ability to absorb oxygen and also interferes with cellular enzymes. This further causes bacteria growth to decline and creates an intoxicating seal around the substance trying to be preserved.