Testing the
Waters
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
1: How clean is our water?
Introduction | Invitation | Exploration | Explanation | Taking Action | Conclusion
Water, water, everywhere, but just how clean is it? This lesson will introduce you to water quality standards and allow you to explore some water pollution problems that might exist. Previous research will provide background information that will allow you to understand the results of water testing which you will conduct on a nearby stream, river, or lake. As you begin your work in the Water Testing Module, you should also consider the way that all people share the valuable resource of water on the "Blue Planet".
Objectives
In this activity you will:
- trace the flow of water from a nearby stream, river, or lake to the oceans.
- learn about clean water standards which are used to evaluate water quality.
- consider the cause and effect of some common water pollutants.
- demonstrate ways which we can be good stewards of our water resources.
Materials: For this activity, you will need:
- maps of your region, your country, and your world.
- web-links provided in this lesson.
- poster paper and art supplies.
Top
Invitation
A wise person once said, "Everybody lives downstream." What is your opinion of the meaning of this statement? Another important point to consider before we begin is the question of what type of pollutants might find their way into your local water system? Discuss these two questions with your classmates, and post a response on the Bulletin Board for this module.
Your teacher will provide you with a map of the world, as well as close-up maps of Russia, the United States, and the region of the school sites in both countries participating in this module. See if you can trace the flow of water from a stream, river or lake near your school an ocean. Consider your collaborating student friends across the globe, and see if you can trace stream, river or lake flow from their school site an ocean. Once water reaches an ocean, the water cycle serves as a global link for all the world's water supply. The fact that all the world shares the same water might make you want to learn more about clean water standards, and how water can be affected by human activity.
Click on the links within each question to find the answers:
- What is the "water cycle" and how does it link all the world's water supply?
- Where's the water?
- How can you create your own water cycle.
- What are some of the key water quality parameters (range of characteristics) for your stream, river or lake?
Use these links to research and discuss the cause and effect of some common water pollutants.
- Animal Factory Waste
- Excess Water Use Affects Water Quality
- Effects
of Pollution on Water
Quality
Other interesting sites: - UGSG Water Resouces of the U.S.
- Ecological Bridges (in Russian)
Top
Explanation
Discuss the following questions in your lab group or with your teacher:
1. What are some indicators of water quality.
2. What predictions can you make about the water quality in the stream, river or lake near your school? Please post these predictions on the Eco-Connections Project Forum for other students to see.
Taking Action
1. Discuss with your teacher the various water testing experiments that you would you like to conduct on the water supply in your area.
2. Now that you've looked at some web-sites that discuss the cause and effect of common water pollutants, it might be nice to share what you've learned with others in your school. Your teacher will divide you into small groups (of 2-3 students). In your group, create a poster that presents information about a common water pollutant. Consider human impact and how we can be good stewards of our earth's water supply.
Top
Conclusion
What are
some common water pollution problems that might be found in
both Russian and American water systems?
Now that you have
been introduced to water quality standards, and common types
of water pollution, you are ready to start conducting
chemical and biological experiments to evaluate water
quality.