The
Process
You
will first break up into groups of three or four. You will divide
the research so that each person can address two of the types of pollution.
You will need to gain knowledge about the sources of the different types
of contamination, the effects on plant and animal life and habitats, and
ways in which scientists clean up or stop the contamination. Listed
below are the specific types of contamination, which can be found in many
of the area's rivers. Included are links to websites that will help
you get started on your research.
*Nitrates
*Chlorides
*High
or Low pH
*Water
Hardness (levels of Ca and Mg)
*Low
Oxygen Content
*Heavy
Metals or Radioactive Materials
*Pathogenic
Organisms
*Other
Pollutants
You
will then come together as a group and share your research with your teammates.
As a team, you will choose a river in North Carolina that has one or more
of these problems. If the river has only one of these problems, the
problem must be significant or a severe threat to the environment.
The teacher must approve all river choices so that no two groups research
the same river. Find out what types of pollution problems your river
has, what effects it has had on the surrounding areas, a list of possible
sources including things such as towns, farms, and factories, and what
(if anything) is being done to clean up the water. Your group will
now create a map of the river and surrounding areas. Include the
name of your river, major tributaries, nearby towns and cities, and plot
points of possible pollution sources. Last, your team will present
your findings to the town council (your classmates) and use arguments backed
by data to persuade the town to clean up the water source.
.