What's Gotten Into You?
Students investigate water contaminationCopyright Wikimedia Commons http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/India_-_Sights_%26_Culture_-_garbage-filled_canal_(2832914746).jpg
In this activity, students use models to investigate the process and consequences of water contamination on the land, groundwater, and plants. This is a good introduction to building water filters found in the associated activity, The Dirty Water Project.
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) organization of civilian and military men and women provides both engineering and environmental services, such as water table analysis in various parts of the country. The USACE research is helpful in identifying and addressing water table issues, and providing policies and procedures that keep our water supplies safe.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how polluted water contaminates the land, groundwater and plants.
- Understand how contaminants leach into the soil and ground water and how they are absorbed by plants.
- Describe how drinking water can be affected by pollutants.
- Understand the role of engineers in water treatment systems.