Pollution 1. Fascinating Facts - See Nature · to find pollution in cloudy water, but what about clear water? Clear water in a pond or stream may look clean and healthy but it could

Pollution

Aims:

• To introduce pupils to key facts about water pollution

• To assist the development of informed attitudes about water pollution

Materials:

• A copy of Worksheet 1 at the appropriate level for each pupil

Method:

• Ask pupils 'What is water pollution?' and 'How is water polluted?' and ask for examples of when/where they have seen polluted water

• Note their answers on a central board or large sheet of paper

• Hand out Worksheet 1 and read through with the class discussing keypoints

1. Fascinating Facts

www.scottishwater.co.uk/education © Scottish Water 2004

Water is polluted in many different ways:

rubbish

oil

waste from factories

chemicals from farms

untreated sewage

rubbish and plastic bags thrown into the sea kill over one million sea creatures every year

oil spills from ships kill birds and sea life

waste and chemicals from factories are poured into rivers

poisonous chemicals used by farmers wash off the land into oceans and rivers

in some places, untreated sewage goes into the sea which makes the sea and beaches dirty

Pollution - Worksheet 1

Fascinating Facts

Water pollution is anything that spoils our river s, lochs, seas and oceans.



Hard level

Pollution occurs for a number of reasons. Sometimes waste from factories pollutes rivers, and fertilisers and weedkillers wash off farm land. Pollution can also occur when the waste water treatment does not work properly.

Drainage from the roads in rural areas can also cause pollution in burns and rivers as it often carries high levels of petrol and oil. This can cause oxygen loss in the water which kills plants and animals. In cities, the drainage from roads usually joins the main waste water network and is treated.

Some people illegally throw weedkiller or paint stripper down drains which canpollute rivers and upset the waste water treatment process.

A ver y reliable method of testing pollution levels in ponds and burns is through recording animal life, known as indicator species, found there. Different kinds of animials need different levels of oxygen to survive.

Fascinating Facts

Water pollution is anything that spoils our rivers, lochs, seas and oceans.

F

Beaches also show signs of pollution. Litter is often left by careless visitors but a lot of litteron our beaches comes from ships and includes: broken glass plastic

People also flush things they shouldn't down the toilet. These can block and break screensand end up on the beach. Items include:

:

drinks cans paper wood

cotton buds baby wipes razors

Instead you should put these items in bags and then put them in the bin.Don't flush them!


Pollution

Aims:

• To enable pupils to learn the difference between acid and alkali

• To practice measuring and recording skills

• To experience writing results in tabular form

Materials:

• A copy of Worksheet 2a/2b for each pupil

• 5 jam jars with lids, 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, automatic washing powder, white vinegar, bleach, garden peat, pH paper, a pH scale chart, plain paper, sticky tape, duckweed for each group and disposable gloves for each pupil

Method:

• This experiment is best managed in small groups with adult supervision, but could also be carried out by the teacher with the class observing and recording results

• Hand out worksheet 2a and read through with the group - check understanding of the procedures and the safety issues

• Pupils conduct experiment 1 and write up their results in tabular form and answer the questions on the worksheet

• Discuss the results and what information this provides

• Pupils then begin experiment 2 on Worksheet 2b. This lasts 4 weeks and pupils should again record their results in tabular form

• After 4 weeks, pupils write up the experiment using the questions on the worksheet as a guide

• Review the results and what they have learned

NB. This experiment uses bleach. Please observe normal safety procedures when using harmful substanceswith this age group.

2a/2b. Testing for harmful substances


Pollution - Worksheet 2a

You will need:

- 5 jars- 1 teaspoon- washing powder

(automatic)- white vinegar- bleach- garden peat- pH paper- pH scale chart

Try to answer these questions:

1. Which of the jars looked as if they would contain substances which are harmful to plantsand animals?

2. Which of the liquids did you think would be quite pure?3. Which of the jars had pH value nearest to neutral?4. Which was the strongest acid?5. Which was the strongest alkaline?

Experiment 1:

One way of testing your local river or stream for water pollution is to see if the water is clear or cloudy. You probably wouldn't be surprised to find pollution in cloudy water, but what about clear water?

Clear water in a pond or stream may look clean and healthy but it could contain dissolved substances such as acids or alkalis. This experiment shows how to find out if water contains acid or alkali.

How to find out:

1. Put 150ml of tap water in each jar and label the jars 1-5.2. Add 1 teaspoon of bleach to jar 2.3. Add 1 teaspoon of washing powder to jar 3.4. Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to jar 4.5. Add 3 tablespoons of garden peat to jar 5.6. Do not add anything to jar 1. It is the control.7. Stir the jars thoroughly and then test them using the pH paper. If

it changes colour it is either acid or alkali.8. Compare each test against a pH chart to see how much acid or

alkali is in the water in each jar9. Keep the jars to use them for experiment 2 .

Jar 1 Jar 2 Jar 3 Jar 4 Jar 5

pH valueacid or alkali

Write up yourresults in a tablelike this:

Testing for harmful substances

Pollution - Worksheet 2b

You will need:

- The 5 jars and their contents which were used for experiment 1

- duckweed


Write a report about your experiment.1. Which liquid gave the best growth?2. Which liquids contain substances that are harmful to plants?3. Are these liquids acid or alkali?4. Can you think how you might use these results to find out if a river, stream or pond near

you is polluted?5. What pH do you think healthy water would be?6. What do you think might make a river more acid or more alkali than normal?7. Can you think of any other ways of testing for water pollution?

Experiment 2:

Do plant and animals grow well in water which contains acid or alkali? Here is an experiment to find out.

How to find out:

1. Add 5-6 pieces of duckweed to each of the jars and see how theygrow for a month.

2. Draw a table to record your results.3. Observe them every week and record which jar has most duckweed

growing in it.4. Look for any changes in colour or leaf size and write down how

healthy you think the plants are in each jar.

Write up your results in a table like this:

Use results ofexperiment 1 torecord the pHmeasurement foreach jar.Key: = growth0 = no growthx = duckweed has died

Jar 1 Jar 2 Jar 3 Jar 4 Jar 5

Testing for harmful substances

week 1

week 2

week 3

week 4

week 5

Pollution

Aims:

• To investigate water pollution in the local area

• To experience writing results in tabular form

• To practice measuring skills

Materials:

• A copy of Worksheet 3 at the appropriate level for each pupil

• 5 clear jars, half a cup of milk, 1 teaspoon, 1 dropper, a measuring jug, a sheet of white paper and a green leaf for each group

Method:

• Explain to pupils that this is the first stage of an investigation to see whether a local pond or stream is polluted

• Hand out Worksheet 3 and read with the pupils

• Pupils prepare the results table before carrying out the experiment

• Pupils collect equipment and carry out the experiment and write up their results

• Discuss their findings

This experiment can be carried out by small groups or by the teacher with the whole class

3. Be a Pollution Detective


You will need:

-5 clear jars-half a cup of milk-1 teaspoon-1 dropper-1 measuring jug-a sheet of white paper-a green leaf


1. Through which jar could you see the leaf best?2. Through which jar was it hardest to see the leaf?3. Which jar would let the most sunlight through to plants?4. Which jar would let the least sunlight through to plants?5. Why do you think it is important for sunlight to get through to plants?

Do you know how to find out if the river or stream near you is polluted? One way is to test the water to see if it is cloudy.Plants growing in water need light from the sun to make them grow.The green colour in their leaves uses the sun's energy to change carbon dioxidefrom the water into oxygen. Without this oxygen, fish and other animals will die.

Try this experiment out in class before you visit your river or stream to find out what happens when the water is cloudy.

How to find out:

1. Label the jars 1,2,3,4,5.2. Pour 150ml of clean water into each jar.3. Leave jar 1 as it is.4. Add 2 drops of milk to jar 2 and sti r.5. Add 4 drops of milk to jar 3 and stir.6. Add 6 drops of milk to jar 4 and stir.7. Add 8 drops of milk to jar 5 and stir.8. Place each jar in turn on top of the leaf.

How clearly can you see the leaf through each of the liquids?


Be a pollution detective!

Jar 1Jar 2Jar 3Jar 4Jar 5

Write up your results in a table like this: Draw a shade chart to show what the liquid in the jars looked like.

What the leaf looked like:

Clear Cloudy



You will need:

-5 clear jars-half a cup of milk-1 teaspoon-1 dropper-1 measuring jug-a sheet of white paper-a green leaf


1. Through which jar could you see the leaf best? 2. Through which jar was it hardest to see the leaf ?3. Which jar would let the most sunlight through to plants?4. Which jar would let the least sunlight through to plants?5. Why do you think it is important for sunlight to get through to plants?

Do you know how to find out if the river or stream near you is polluted? One way is to test the water to see if it is cloudy.Plants growing in water need light from the sun to make them grow. The green colour in their leaves uses the sun 's energy to change carbon dioxide from the water into oxygen. Without this oxygen, fish and other animals will die.

Try this experiment out in class before you visit your river or stream to find out what happens when the water is cloudy.

How to find out:

1. Label the jars 1,2,3,4,5 .2. Pour 150ml of clean water into each jar.3. Leave jar 1 as it is.4. Add 2 drops of mil k to jar 2 and sti r.5. Add 4 drops of milk to jar 3 and stir.6. Add 6 drops of milk to jar 4 and stir.7. Add 8 drops of milk to jar 5 and stir.8. Place each jar in turn on top of the leaf.

How clearly can you see the leaf through each of the liquids?

Write up your results on the Results Sheet.Describe what the leaf looked like through each jar.

Jar 1

Jar 2

Jar 3

Jar 4

Jar 5

What the leaf looked like:

Be a pollution detective!


Pollution

Aims:

• To experience checking levels of pollution in the local area

• To introduce pupils to indicator species

Materials:

• A copy of Worksheet 4a/4b at the appropriate level for each pupil or group (laminated for use out of doors)

• A plastic container, a plastic tray, a magnifying glass, a long handled net, a pond life book, pH paper for each group

Method:

• Explain the purpose of the field trip and what pupils will be doing

• Discuss Worksheet 4a

• Pupils dip-net in the water and record what they see on worksheet 4b and answer the questions 1-4 on Worksheet 4a

• In the classroom pupils write up a report of the field trip and answer question 5

• Discuss the findings and display the results

NB.Normal safety rules for any field trip apply

4a/b. How healthy is your pond, river or stream?


Never go near water alone!You can find out how clean and healthy your local pond, river or stream is by testing it for pollution yourself.

You will need:

- a plastic container- a plastic tray- a magnifying glass- a long handled net- a pond-life book- pH paper



1. Is there any rubbish on the edges?2. What colour is the water?3. Can you see the bottom?4. Are there other birds and other creatures on or near the

water? List them.5. How could the area be improved?

How to find out:

1. With your teacher, visit a pond, river or stream in your area.2. Find a safe place to go pond-dipping.3. Sweep the net slowly through the water against the current.4. Put your catch in the tray and use the pond-life book or the pollution

detector on Worksheet 4b to record what you have found. 5. Return the catch alive to the water.6. Do the same at another part of the pond, river or stream.7. Take a sample of the water and test it to see if it is acid or alkali.

Write a report about your visit.

Say what conclusions you came to about the level of pollution in the water and explain how you came to those conclusions.

How healthy is your pond or stream?

One very reliable test is to find out what minibeasts live in the water.Different kinds of creatures need different levels of oxygen to survive.The pollution detector showing different species of minibeasts is very good in helping you to identify what is living in the water. We call these indicator species as they indicate how polluted a river is.


You will need:

- a plastic container- a plastic tray- a magnifying glass- a long handled net- a pond-life book- pH paper



1. List any rubbish that you can see on the edge of the water. 2. What colour is the water?3. Can you see the bottom?4. List any birds or other creatures that you can see on or near the

water.5. How do you think the area could be made better?

List your ideas.

How to find out:

1. With your teacher, visit a pond, river or stream in your area.2. Find a safe place to go pond-dipping.3. Sweep the net slowly through the water against the current.4. Put your catch in the tray and use the pond-life book or the pollution

detector on Worksheet 4b to record what you have found. 5. Return the catch alive to the water.6. Do the same at another part of the pond, river or stream.7. Take a sample of the water and test it to see if it is acid or alkali.


Never go near water alone!You can find out how clean and healthy your local pond, river or stream is by testing it for pollution yourself.

One very reliable test is to find out what minibeasts live in the water. Different kinds of creatures need different levels of oxygen to sur vive. The pollution detector showing different species of minibeasts is very good in helping you to identify what is living in the water. We call these indicator species as they indicate how polluted a river is.



Name

A

B

C

D

E

Group Indicator Species Pollution level


NO LIFE

Sludge worm Rat tailed maggot

Water slater

Water shrimp Caddis fly

Mayfly Stonefly

No life. If you find nominibeasts at all then thewater is VERY POLLUTED

If you find these minibeasts,but none from groups A, B or C then there isA LOT OF POLLUTION

If you find these minibeasts,but none from groups A or Bthen there is probablyMEDIUM POLLUTION

If you find theseminibeasts but none fromgroup A then there may beSLIGHT POLLUTION

If you find theseminibeasts there isNO POLLUTION

Pollution

Aims:

• To enable pupils to be aware of the effect of oil on water

Materials:

• A copy of Worksheet 5 for each pupil/group, a bottle of tap water, cooking oil and washing up liquid for each pupil/group

Method:

• Hand out Worksheet 5 to each pupil/group and the equipment

• Discuss the task and check understanding

• Pupils carry out experiment and write up their results

• Discuss findings as a class

• Relate what they have learned to any recent environmental clean up operation following an oil spill. Archive material may be available via the internet on the Shetland oil spill.

This experiment could be a homework activity

5. Oil and Water


Saving W aterPollution - Worksheet 5

You will need:

- a bottle of water- cooking oil- washing up liquid


1. Does the oil mix with the water?2. Can you still see the oil when you have added the washing up

liquid?3. Did you reach a point when the water could no longer hold any

more oil?4. What does the washing up liquid do?5. Why is detergent important when oil leaks into water?

Once you have finished this experiment please dispose of your container properly by putting it in the bin.

Please do not put oil down the drain!

How to find out:

1. Add a few drops of oil to the water. Write down what happens.2. Add a few drops of washing up liquid to the water, put the cap

on the bottle and shake the bottle. Describe what you can see.3. Do this again several times using more oil and more washing

up liquid. Keep a note of how much you put in.

Oil and water

What happens when there is an oil spill into a loch or sea?Does the oil disappear into the water? Try this experiment to see what happens.

Pollution

Aims:

• To encourage pupils to think about environmental pollution caused by man and develop informed attitudes to pollution

Materials:

• Copies of worksheets 6,7,8 and 9a/9b for each pupil

Method:

• Hand out worksheet 6 and discuss how things that are flushed down the toilet sometimes end up on the beach because the sewage screens cannot stop them

• Pupils complete the activity

• Collate their ideas of other things that pollute the beach on a central board or large sheet of paper

• Pupils complete worksheets 7, 8 and 9 for fun - worksheet 9 will check their knowledge about Bag It and Bin It

6. Pollution and the Environment7. Dot to dot / 8. Wordsearch9a/9b. Bag It and Bin It Quiz and Answer Sheet



Pollution and the environment

How to find out:

The seashore can become polluted when some things that are flushed down toilets break through the sewer screens and end up on beaches.

You can help by finding out about the Bag It and Bin It Campaign. on our website - www.scottishwater.co.uk

Here are some items you might think about flushing down the toilet. Draw a line from each to show whether it should go down the toilet or in a bag in the bin. The first one is done for you.

Can you think of any other ways the beach might get polluted?Make a list.



Dot to Dot Activity

1011

12

13

4

5

67

23 1

14

31

32

33

3435

3637

3839

404142

4344

45 46 47

30

28

29

27

2625

24

23

22

21

1716

15

18

19

20

8 9


Saving WaterPollution - Task Card 8

Bag It and Bin It word search

C T B A W O R B E H P PG S I V N A P P I E S OR S O T B U T X N A J UK E E B U T R E N N I TD P P L A S T E R V O RR I C A R U B N J K L TM W Z Y P A S D F X Q GW Y C O T T O N B U D HE B R T S Y E U I O P SM A K N T B V L C X Z BB B E G N O P S I G H HE R T Y A F D A S O A KC R I S P P A C K E T O

There are 10 words in the word search for you to find.

Baby wipes Toilet paperPlaster NappiesWater Inner tubePants Crisp packetCotton bud Sponge

Eight are items that should not be flushed down the toilet and should be put in the bin. The other two can be flushed down the toilet. What are they?


Circle the answer.

1. If something is called disposable, you can flush it down the toilet. True False

2. Disposable nappies, liners and baby wipes should be put in a bag and then into the bin.

True False

3. It is ok to put cotton buds and cotton wool down the toilet.

True False

4. Putting unsuitable items down the toilet causes pollution.

True False

5. The waste water drain running from your home is 30cm wide.

True False


Bag It and Bin It Quiz

True or False?Are the following statements True or False?


Answer Sheet

1. False.Just because something is called disposable, does not mean it can be flushed down the toilet. Disposable items cannot be flushed down the toilet.

2. True.If these are put down the toilet they could block the drains and everything may come back up the toilet! They could also damage machinery at the treatment works or escape into the environment.

3. False. They can block the drains and sewers, damage screens and pumps or end up on the beach.

4. True.If the screens are damaged, items such as nappies, razor blades etc, might get through the screening process and end up in rivers and on beaches. This can cause a health hazard, harm wildlife and is awful to look at.

5. False.It is only 10cm wide and is only designed to take human waste and toilet paper.


Bag It and Bin It Quiz


Pollution

Aims:

• To introduce pupils to the measures that are put in place after an oil spill and the effect that an oil spill has on a community

• To practice comprehension skills

Materials:

• Copy of Worksheet 10 for each pupil

Method:

• Read the newspaper article and set a time limit for pupils to answer questions

• Discuss their answers and relate these to any current news stories

10. Oil Tanker Sinks in Storm



1. When did the oil tanker run aground?2. Who rescued the crew?3. List three different things that the oil is doing.4. Who will be affected by the oil spill?5. How could people help clean the beach?

Make a list of your ideas.


Oil tanker sinks in storm

In the early hours of yesterday morning an oil tanker ran aground on the rocks by Mission bay. In the high winds and heavy seas she quickly began to break up and the oil from her full storage tanks began to seep out.The crew were rescued by the lifeboat and a helicopter from RAF Kinloss.

Large amounts of oil are spilling from the tanker. Seabirds have been caught in the oil and can’t escape. Many are being washed up on the beach. Fish have also been caught in the oil which is now heading for the beach.

The people who live in the bay are very upset that the oil may reach the beach. Local fisherman John McBride said “The fish will be covered in oil which means that we will not be able to fish for months.”

Volunteers are helping to clean the birds with detergent and the council is arranging for booms to be put in the water to try and stop the oil reaching the beach. It is hoped that extra help will arrive from the mainland later today.

semiT dnalsI REKNAT LIO

NI SKNISSMROTS


Pollution

Aims:

• To enable pupils to identify what can pollute water in burns, rivers, lochs and streams

• To check their knowledge on causes of water pollution

Materials:

• A copy of Worksheet 11 for each pupil

Method:

• Discuss with pupils what they have learned about water pollution

• Hand out Worksheet 11 and ask pupils in small groups to provide the information

• Collate the class answers and use this to lead into the water pollution campaign

11. What causes pollution?


Saving WaterPollution - Worksheet 11

What causes pollution?

List things that can pollute:

a burn

a river

a loch

the seashore


Pollution

Aims:

• For pupils to design and run a real Water Pollution Campaign in school and their community

• To increase their knowledge and understanding of water pollution

• To develop informed attitudes to the use of water and the need to save it

Materials:

• Worksheets 12a - 12d• Art materials• Computer graphics package• Video cameras

Method:

• Decide how you will organise the campaign with the class. A group of pupils can be allocated a specific task within the campaign or small groups could produce the whole campaign and the class decide which are the best elements of each and create the class campaign for this

• Hand out Worksheet 12a to each pupil, and as a class discuss the campaign (You could ask Scottish Water to write to the class asking them to undertake the campaign on their behalf and invite them in to see the results.)

• Note ideas for all parts of the campaign on a central board or large sheet of paper

• Pupils select which part of the campaign they would like to work on and are given related worksheets at the appropriate level

• Agree deadline and allocate time during the week for pupils to work on their task

• Encourage pupils to speak to the Headteacher about how they could run the campaign in school

• Discuss with the pupils what could be circulated in the community and how this might be done

NB. This could be run as an enterprise project using materials from the 'Go for Enterprise' resource pack. (Schools Enterprise Programme)

12. Water Pollution Campaign



Water Pollution Leaflet

Writing a leaflet

You have decided to design and make a leaflet from A4 paper, folded into three, to raise awareness of getting rid of household waste safely.

1. Fold a piece of A4 paper into three like this:

2. How many sides do you have for your information?

Your leaflet should try to create:

A - for AttentionIt should be eye catching. The use of colours/graphics is important.

I - for InterestIt should be interesting to look at and be read quickly.

D- for DesireIt should make the people who read it want to help stopwater pollution.

A -for ActionIt should encourage the people who read it to make changesand cut down water pollution.

Think about the layout of your leaflet:

- Will you use a separate page for each piece of information?

- What drawings and graphics will you use?

- Collect some leaflets from the local librar y to see how other people have designed a leaflet.

- You can always copy a good idea!

3. Write down the three most important things you want people to learn.

4. Can you think of any others that you might want them to learn?

_______________________________________________________________________________________


Saving WaterPollution - Worksheet 12b

Water Pollution Poster Campaign

Posters

You have decided to design a series of posters to highlight pollution in burns, rivers, lochs and the seashore. The aim is to inform people about water pollution and to help reduce it.

Your posters should try to create:

A - for AttentionIt should be eye catching. The use of colours/graphics is important.

I - for InterestIt should be interesting to look at and be read quickly.

D - for DesireIt should make the people who read it want to help reduce water pollution.

A - for ActionIt should encourage the people who read it to make changes and reduce pollution.

Presentation:

When you have planned, drawn and coloured your poster you will have to present it to the rest of the class. Tr y to involve all your group in the presentation.

Here are some helpful tips:

- Before showing the poster introduce your work in a lively way

- Say what your ideas were when planning the poster

- Display your poster and point out to the class the ways in which it creates:

Attention Interest Desire Action


Saving WaterPollution - Worksheet 12b

Water Pollution Poster Campaign

Posters

You have decided to design a series of posters to highlight pollution in burns, rivers, lochs and the seashore. The aim is to inform people about water pollution and to help reduce it.

When you design a poster, remember to:

1. Give all the information that is needed.2. Use pictures and different colours.3. Tr y to arrange things in a bright and eye-catching way.

Here is the information that should be on the poster:

- the name of the campaign

- information about water pollution

- what people can do to help reduce pollution

- where to get more information

Presentation:

When you have finished your poster you will have to present it to the rest of the class. Tr y to involve all your group in the presentation.


- Before showing the poster, introduce your work in a lively way

- Say what your ideas were when planning the poster

- Display your poster and point out how it informs people about water pollution


Saving WaterPollution - Worksheet 12c

Water Pollution Cartoon Strip

Cartoon Strip

A cartoon strip is a picture story. Picture stories have been around for a very long time. Ancient Greek vases may be decorated with a story told in a number of follow on pictures. It might help you to look at a comic or a cartoon strip in a newspaper to see how they are laid out.

To make your cartoon strip:

1. Divide a sheet of A4 paper into a number of framed pictures.

Here are some examples:

2. Each picture in your story must show something important happening. There is not enough space to show ever ything - only show what is important.

3. Write down the important things you want to show.

Presentation:

When you have finished your cartoon strip you will have to present it to the whole class. Try to involve all your group in the presentation.


- Before showing the cartoon strip introduce your work in a lively way

- Say what your ideas were when planning the cartoon strip

- Display your cartoon strip and point out how it gets the reducing pollution message across.


Documents

Pollution 1. Fascinating Facts - See Nature · to find pollution in cloudy water, but what about clear water? Clear water in a pond or stream may look clean and healthy but it could