WATER QUALITY

Background Knowledge: Water Cycle

Learn how water continually recycles itself by connecting to:

http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/water/watercycle.shtml

Inquiry activities from http://www.units.muohio.edu/dragonfly/water/watercycle.shtml:

1. Create your own water cycle
2. Investigate water pollution

Background Knowledge: Water Pollution

Now that you understand water cycle, you will need to learn about water pollution. Connect to: http://www.water-pollution.org.uk and visit their links on:

1. The types of water pollution (Types)
2. What causes water pollution (Causes)
3. The dangers brought by water pollution (Dangers)
4. What we can do to prevent water pollution (Preventing)
5. Possible and effective ways to treat polluted water (Treating)

 

Numerous fascinating links on this topic are also given on this site if you want to learn even more on a problem that affects all of us.

Strategy for thinking- Organizing relevant information on water pollution

While reading, organize the information in a chart, which you can download HERE or at the bottom of the page.  For each cause of water pollution, you need to give its definition, type, danger, prevention, and treatment.  This information will give you the necessary knowledge and understanding to do the following challenge: what is the biggest threat to water pollution in your area.

Critical Challenge:  What is the biggest threat to water quality in your area?

You now know that there are 5 different types of water pollution, which are the main threats to water quality:

1. Surface water pollution (solid materials suspended into water)
2. Groundwater pollution (contaminated aquifers)
3. Chemical pollution (metal, solvents, pesticides, petroleum)
4. Oxygen depletion (too much biodegradable material)
5. Nutrient overload

Now you will need to look at the different causes of water pollution in your area.  For example, in BC, the provincial government has identified 6 different causes:

1. Land development
2. Agriculture
3. Storm water runoff
4. On-site sewage systems
5. Atmospheric deposition
6. Boating and marine activities

 

Causes of water pollution in BC

Background Knowledge: There are 7 main causes of water pollution in BC click HERE for the essential background information!

Strategy for thinking: 'Identifying and ranking threats on water quality in my area'
is focused on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan region in BC, Canada.  However, you can study any surface water with this strategy. Click HERE for the table.  The information that you have previously recorded will help you fill it out. Use your 'Organizing Relevant Information' table that you filled out earlier to find evidence connected to the causes of water pollution in your area (See 6 causes identified by BC government).  The following sites will also help you to better judge water quality for the Okanagan region:

http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page402.aspx (FAQ on Kelowna water quality)
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page1121.aspx  (Turbidity FAQ)

Criteria For Judgment:

While completing your chart, you will organize information according to the 4 criteria (areas of impact) listed below.  These criteria are intended to help you make your final decision about the biggest threat to water quality.

1. Turbidity (Clarity/suspended materials)
2. Purity (adequate for human consumption)
3. Chemically balanced (acidity/Ph)
4. Healthy for aquatic life (Plant and fish life)

Critical thinking vocabulary: evidence, argument

After completing 'Identifying and Ranking Threats', you will need to look at each threat and rate them between 1 (very little impact) and 5 (extremely damaging impact).

Now that you have completed 'Identifying and Ranking Threats' and rank the threats, you can answer your critical challenge:  What is the biggest threat to water quality in your area?

You need to carefully consider all the information that you have already recorded.  If your rating is similar, you might need to do additional research to get a clearer picture of water pollution in your area.  It is why part of your assessment will be based on how “fully” you have researched your topic.

Habit of Mind: Full-mindedness, a habit or inclination to make up one’s mind on the basis of adequate understanding of the whole story.

After reaching a decision, you will need to justify your decision with solid arguments based on facts.  You will need to clearly connect each of the 4 criteria (areas of impact) with at least 2 arguments.

Record your justification in 'Justification of My Choice' located HERE: Justification of my choice for the biggest threat to water quality in my area.

 

Assessment:  Fill out Assessment of justification located HERE.

All the documents in the lesson can be found here in either editable or printable format.