ChemCom The Quality of Our WaterUnit
Background:
Approximately 53 percent of the population in the United States gets its
water from
underground aquifers. An Aquifers is a geological ( created by rocks)
formation
containing water. Like the holes in a sponge, an aquifer has opening or pores
that can
store water. Water for drinking is drawn up to the surface by a well or spring.
The worlds
largest aquifer is the Agilely Aquifer which extends from Nebraska to Texas.
Since water seeps down through soil into the aquifer, the soil filters the
water.
There are may ways for the water to be become contaminated. This mini lab
will illustrate
the effects of ground water contamination.
Materials
cup soil
rubber band 6 inches of screening
water colored water
pencil eye dropper
soil
Procedure
Obtain materials. Wrap the screening around the pencil. Secure with rubber
band . Be
sure to place the rubber band at least one inch hirer than the cup.
Using the soil, cup and pencil create a well. Slip the pencil out of the
well( leaving the
screening in place.)
Pour water into the cup. Write down the mL you chose to pour into the cup.
When the
water appears in the well use the eye dropper to obtain the water.
Measure again. Observe the color, smell and record.
Add food dye to the soil. Add new water to the soil. Use the same amount
you chose in
the beginning. Wait , observe. When the well has water in it remove it with
the eye
dropper. Measure again. Observe the color, smell and record.
Questions
1. What would happen to the lakes and rivers that are fed by the water from
this aquifer ?
2. List ten things in your household that if poured in the ground, might
contaminate
drinking water ?
3. Looking a the map of Riverwood U.S.A. list at least five sources of
possible
contamination sites.
Questions? Comments??