Forcing ground cover in baby tears with H2O2 shock

[skybox]

signus,
I don't know much about organica chemistry but i would like to know how quickly does H2O2 work in breaking down the lipids and proteins in a cell? and would it attack more simple celled organisms first or does it work evenly regardless of how complex an organism is. Basiclly what i'm wondering is if it would attack black brush algea first and do more damage to the algea as opposed to my plants.
If animals can make H2O2, Do they make it as a natural antispetic for cuts and other wounds. It would seem to me that the fish might be somewhat more tolerant of it if their bodies are able to produce it.

 

[FastFish]

Hydrogen is comprised of two hydroxyl ( O-H ) groups

Minor correction, it actually dissociates into two OH radicals (rather than hydroxyl groups, which have three lone pairs and a species negative charge).

Skybox - H202 destroys protieins by a chain of radical reactions - H202 dissocaites into free radicals which then "attack" organic molecules like proteins and transfer the unpaired electron to them (the 'radical'). The chain of reactions continues by itself until it terminates (when two radical molecules meet).

As to complex/simple organisms, I'd guess that more complex plants would have enzymes that neutralize H202 and thus are less damaged by it. I know this is true of humans and animals.

Animals do make H202, but not for an antiseptic - it's a relatively safe intermediate in the neturalization of more dangerous radicals like ozone. Ozone (for example) is a very reactive free radical which needs to be quickly removed, so it is turned into hydrogen peroxide, which is less dangerous. Eventually (but more slowly), an enzyme [hydrogen peroxidase ] catalzyes the neutralization of H202 into O2 and H20.

 

[Signus]

I forgot to mention the chemistry part. I just assumed that people would do the math for the bonding and come up with two radicals on both sides.

Hydrogen peroxide is very effective for getting rid of dead tissue. White blood cells do cary a lot of the stuff around in their organells for cleaning up old cells, killing/removing foreign bodies, and destroying infected cells.

Fastfish is right on all accounts. Pretty cool stuff, huh?

Ozone and the vast amounts of concrete are the first two reasons why I never want to live in LA. To me, it's the ugliest city ever created.

 

[plantbrain]

Algae have peroxidases/SOD's as well as plants FYI.
The addition of 3% H2O2 can overload these enzymes.

Small amounts here and there are fine for plants/critters etc, lots relative to your "size" is quite another matter.
So algae/bacteria are the first to die, H2O2 is no friend to plant life though.
Permangnate and O3 are also strong oxidizers as is bleach. O3 is very similar to H2O2 as it dissapates into O2. Both are effective biocides.
We(CDFA) are considering using them to kill weeds.

Add too little, no effect on the target organism, add too much critters/plant death(you kill the patient).

There are many many studies on Aquatic toxicology.
One of the main oxidizers used to kill weeds is something called Acolein, kills fish like flies though, it's only used here in irrigation canals that get choked with weeds. Last about 24-48 hours and then decays into CO2 and H20.
Kills everything.

Signus, go over to the Science library there near the cheese stix and look up some aquatic toxicology reference books, they should have plenty of information of the relative LC50's for 3% H2O2 for various organisms and mode of actions. I think the 3rd floor has it. UC has a much better collection on this stuff.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Signus]

Signus, go over to the Science library there near the cheese stix and look up some aquatic toxicology reference books, they should have plenty of information of the relative LC50's for 3% H2O2 for various organisms and mode of actions. I think the 3rd floor has it. UC has a much better collection on this stuff.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Are you talking about Marston Library? Wow. We now call them the french fries! lol Did you go to UF?

I'll be sure to look that up once the semester starts again. I finish with my exams as of tomorrow and am leaving for home. Maybe I can look up any of the journal articles that UC has. We're going digital for information sharing.