Unit 5 - Pollution

Pollution can be defined as anything that it released into air, soil, or water that is harmful to human health or to ecosystems or the biosphere. While some pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticides are directly toxic to living things, other substances may not normally be harmful until they are produced in such quantities that the environment can not longer break them down and recycle them. Excessive amounts of nutrients that runoff the land and lead to eutrophication of lakes and streams is a good example of this type of pollution as is the excessive buildup "greenhouse gases" that lead to "global warming." And, as we learned in the previous unit, excessive noise can be categorized as pollution. In this unit we will take a closer look at air, water, land, and noise pollution.

Specific assignments

Assignment 1: Click on this link and take note on information in the paragraph entitled "What is Pollution." Begin to define the terms on the Pollution Vocabulary Worksheet. (click here to see worksheet)

Assignment 2: Watch the video below entitled "Human Pollution" Note of the terms biodegradable and non-biodegradable; be able to explain what they mean and give examples of each.



Assignment 3: Land Pollution and Solid Waste Disposal - mini lecture.

Click on this link to review the information on Land Pollution covered in the mini-lecture.

Assignment 4: Learn about a Modern Landfill - Watch the videos entitled "Anatomy of a Landfill" and "How Does a Landfill Work." Use the information given in the videos to label a diagram of a landfill. Click here to view diagram.





Field Project: Build a compost generator . Building a compost generator is one way we can help nature recycle nutrients and reduce the amount of things we end up throwing away. This is a class project. You will be given instructions in class as the project progresses. To get credit you must participate and contribute to the successful completion of the project.

Click here for details on how to make a compost generator.

Assignment 5: Water Pollution - mini lecture.

Click on this link to read an overview of the information on Water Pollution covered in the mini-lecture.

Next, watch the short video below entitled "Non-point Source Pollution, " which explains the difference between Point Source and Non-point Source pollution.



Assignment 6 : Types of water pollution. Click on this link and then on the icon for each kind of water pollution. Take notes. Be prepared to discuss what you have learned.

Watch the video below entitled "Three Important Types of Water Pollution" to gather additional information on the affects of excess nutrient, water-born pathogens, and thermal pollution. Continue to define key terms listed on your vocabulary worksheet.




Now, click on this link to review the process known as eutrophication. Draw a simple flow diagram that explains the process.

Sediment (particulate) pollution -- "A picture is worth a thousand works." Click here.

Field Project: Stream Bio-assessment.

Assignment 8: Pollutants in the Atmosphere - mini lecture.

Click on this link to get a little background on the air around the earth we call our Atmosphere.
Click on this link to to review the information on Air Pollution covered in the mini-lecture.

Assignment 9: Global Warming and Climate Change. Complete this two part lesson on global warming and climate change. Be prepared to explain the concept of global warming, its causes, and its effects in the biosphere.

Part 1: Click on the following link for an overview of human mediated climate change.

Part 2: Watch a video on global warming entitled "Six Degrees." As you watch the film, list the effects of global warming as they are presented.

Air Pollution Project: As a class, we will assist Dr. Geoffrey Smith of the University of Georgia with his study of air pollution. The project will involve sampling and analyzing air samples for ozone and particulate matter. The work will be completed in steps over several days. Detailed instructions will be provided by Dr. Smith and his staff.

Assignment 10: Noise Pollution -- mini lecture.

Assignment 11: Remediation

Watch the following video on " Riparian Buffer Zones." Note how the creation or preservation of buffer zones around waterways prevents water pollution and benefits the environment.




Now watch thefollowing videos entitled "Bio-remediation of Sediment" and" Phyto-remediation - How it works."







Unit Quiz: Pollution.