Problem and Question: Log driving lumber is a very low energy, environmentally friendly way of transferring fresh lumber from upstream to downstream. It is one of the main ways wood is displaced here in Vancouver, and around BC. However there is a variety of bacteria in the waters used for this process such as rivers, ocean banks and small streams. We want to find out what type of water causes more damage to the lumber as a result of decay. Does freshwater cause the wood to become weaker than log driving in saltwater?
Hypothesis: If wooden popsicle sticks are left in two different types of water for a month then the wooden sticks in the ocean water will remain stronger because the sodium content in the water will inhibit bacteria growth, slowing the decomposition of the wood and leaving the wood stronger.