The Future of Education

Traces of ionized and elemental fluorine are present at various concentration in waters, land, and air; indeed, an article published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on fluorine states that the total fluorine concentration in seawater was measured as 1.3 mg/litre. Even though
fluorine is an essential element for the human body, excessive amounts can be quite harmful. Specifically, in the article published by WHO it is stated that fluorine has a drastic effect on skeletal tissue and tooth enamel. Collagen is a type of protein that forms one third of all proteins in the human body. While its primary purpose is to maintain the integrity of our body, it also grants flexibility and firmness to the skin. The deceleration of this imperative protein caused by aging has produced the necessity of external collagen supplement. The most common amongst all 16 types of collagen is
Collagen type 1 which strengthens and supports many tissues in the body, including cartilage, bone, tendon and skin. Furthermore, it is scientifically proven that Collagen type 1 can be extracted from the skins, bones, fins and scales of both sea and freshwater fish. Calcium-rich Collagen type 1 can be acquired from fish scales through several procedures. This experiment aims to detoxify fluoride containing waste water through calcium rich collagen. Throughout this experiment we also aimed to raise awareness to the opportunity to convert fish waste into beneficial products for the environment. Minimizing the 212 thousand tons of waste caused by fish scales in 2012 alone is a valuable asset of our experiment alongside the curation of waste water. As AP chemistry students but most importantly as
environmentally aware, farsighted citizens of the world, it is our duty to augment any idea or process that will favor environmental well-being and create an educated environment against any obstacles that may exist in our developing country.

Keywords: Dicentrarchus labrax, Fluorine ion, Calcium ion, water detoxification, collagen;

References:
[1] Crowley, D., Lau, F., Sharma, P., Evans, M., Guthrie, N., Bagchi, M.,
Bagchi, D., Dey, D. ve Raychaudhuri, S. (2009). Safety and efficacy of
undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a
clinical trial. PMC, 6(6), 312-321.
[2] Kozlowska, J. ve Sionkowska, A. (2013). Fish Scales a Biocomposite of
Collagen and Calcium Salts. 185-190
[3] World Health Organization (WHO). Fluoride in Drinking-Water.