Water Pollution Webquest
Introduction:
Water is one of the most important resources we have. People can survive
without food for several weeks, but without water we would die in just a few
days.
On a slightly less dramatic note, millions of gallons of water are needed every day
worldwide for washing, irrigating crops, cooling, and industrial processes. Water
is also required for many forms of recreation, such as swimming, boating and
fishing.
Despite our dependence on water, we use it as a dumping ground for all sorts of
waste, and do very little to protect the water supplies we have.
The Task:
You are an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency. Your boss, Mr.
Walkerton, has just asked you to create a pamphlet or brochure that is to be
included with the Sunday newspaper about water pollution.
Mr. Walkerton has asked you to create the pamphlet ( brochure ) in response to a
number of incidents in which the water has become polluted in different areas
around this province. He believes that the pamphlet will help to increase public
awareness about water pollution and it will hopefully help to prevent its spread.
In your pamphlet or brochure, Mr. Walkerton has asked you to include the
following information:
What is water pollution?
What are some of the sources of water pollution?
Define point-source pollution and non-point source pollution.
What are some of the consequences of water pollution?
What can be done to improve the quality of water after it has become polluted?
What are some actions that can be taken to help prevent water from becoming
polluted?
What are nitrates and how do they get into our water supply?
What effect do high nitrate levels have on people?
What is considered to be the safe level for nitrates in drinking water?
What should a person do if there are high nitrate levels in their water supply?
What can be done to help prevent nitrates from entering our water supply?
The Process:
You will work together in groups of two. Each person on your team will have a
specific job to perform. One person is to be the General Water Quality Expert.
This person is to research, gather general information on water quality and water
pollution in its various forms. The other person on the team is to be a Water
Quality Nitrate Expert and Public Awareness Expert. That person is to focus on
nitrates in our water supply and how to best inform the public about the threat of
water pollution and poor water quality. Keep in mind that each person on the
team must co-ordinate his/her activities with the other person and they will need
to work together in creating the pamphlet / brochure.
Resources:
The following is a list of Internet resources that can be used to complete this
project
Real Life Concerns About Water
This site has quite a bit of information about ocean pollution, landfills and the ecoli tragedy.
Drinking Water Contaminants
This site is from the EPA and contains a wealth of information on water quality
standards in drinking water and the effects of different forms of water pollution
and some of their sources.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Web Site
This site provides information about the impact of the oil spill, the status of
recovery of injured resources and services and information about ongoing
restoration and research activities.
Maintaining Our Environment
This site contains a short slide show on pollution.
Nitrate Pollution
Information about nitrate pollution can be found at this site.
Nutrients in the Nation's Waters--Too Much of a Good Thing?
From the USGS, the National Water-Quality Assessment Program provides
information on water quality, including nitrate levels, in our water supply.
Preventing Urban Water Pollution
Information about urban water pollution and how to help prevent it can be found
at this site.
Reply to Ask-an-Earth-Scientist
This is a reply from ask an earth scientist concerning the topic of sources of
water pollution.
Reply to Ask-an-Earth-Scientist
This is a reply from ask an earth scientist concerning the topic of water pollution
in the world's oceans .
River and Estuary Pollution
This site will provide information on river or estuary pollution. A river or estuary
is polluted when a substance that degrades the water quality enters the waterway
and alters its natural functions.
The Water Cycle
This site provides general information on the water cycle and how different types
of pollution can impact it.
Water Science for Schools
Water Science for Schools from the USGS provides a lot of general information
on water, its uses, etc...
Evaluation:
Your project will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Is your pamphlet / brochure clear and concise?
Did you accurately include all the information requested?
Are drawings and photographs clear and used appropriately for the subject?