ECOBEAKER: SEWAGE
Name: ___________________________
Procedure
1. Proceed to a computer, turn it on, and from the start menu enter programs and
open the file EcobeakerHS in the EcobeakerHS folder.
2. When the software opens, click on the screen to stop the scrolling of the
developers, etc..., and open the sewage lab by DOUBLE clicking on the word
sewage among the labs listed in the lower left window. When the text for the
lab appears, resize the text field by clicking on the window size icon in the
upper right (it is the inner window that you are resizing).
3. Now you should see seven separate windows within the main software
window. Complete question 1 and 2 by scrolling down and reading in the
information window.
4. Then, scroll down to Exercise One: Starting Up and complete as directed.
Answer question 3.
5. Complete Exercise Two: Phosphorus as a Nutrient and answer questions 4
and 5. Skip Exercise Three.
6. Complete Exercise Four: Changing Phosphorus Levels, and answer the
remaining 6 through 8.
7. Read the Wrap Up section in the information panel and answer the remaining
questions.
Questions
Background
1. Describe the background setting for this lab in brief paragraph. Make sure to
dentify the problem that exists.
2.Identify the names of each of the organisms that are involved in the simulation,
identify their trophic level (producer, primary consumers, etc...) using the
background information, and note any other important information about
them.
Exercise One
3. Describe the population sizes for the organisms in each trophic level once it
appears to have stabilized (it may never completely stabilize – just use your
common sense). Why do these population values make sense based on your
knowledge of the flow of energy through ecosystems?
Exercise Two
4. Describe what happens when you increase the phosphorus level to five times
the normal amount. Be specific by referencing both biotic and abiotic
information given on the screen.
5. What are the arbitrary values that the lab sets for unhealthy algae levels?
What is the pond like at these algae population levels?
Exercise Four
6. Explain your design for the experiment or protocol for determining the highest
allowable level of phosphorous pollution based on the unhealthy algae levels
that you determined above. Before you start collecting data identify the
independent and dependent variables in the experiment and create a
hypothesis.
Independent Variable: _______________________________
Dependent Variable: ________________________________
Hypothesis
Design
7. Demonstrate that you conducted your experiment by recording appropriate
data in a data table.
8. Make conclusions relating the data that you collected to the hypothesis that
you created.
9. Based on the information given in the Wrap Up section, identify at least three
human activities that can increase phosphorus levels in aquatic habitats?
How have or can humans reduce the effects of these activities? Be specific.
10. How did the increase in algae affect the levels of oxygen in the pond? Why
do you think this happened?