Water Quality

Driving or Multi-dimensional Question:

How do soil quality and geological features affect the quality of drinking water, groundwater, and biological functions?

Unit Summary:

Students will gain an understanding of the importance of water quality for drinking and for biological functions. Students will investigate drinking water quality, geological makeup and its effect on water, and soil properties and the effect of soil quality on water quality. To culminate the activities, students will determine whether Reelfoot Lake is thriving or dying.

Hook Event:

Bottled or Tap? Should clean water be a commodity, bought and sold?
1. Introduce this idea by watching all or part of the movie Tapped (www.tappedthemovie.com), 76 min. that looks at the bottled water industry.

2. Conduct an internet search of the Memphis Sand aquifer to understand how aquifers serve the people that live in the area.

3. Debate the necessity of water bottled from aquifers and sold.

4. (Not necessary, but you could hand out the Optional water needs checklist for students to survey at home prior to this hook activity.)

Culminating Event:

Reelfoot Lake Environmental Field Station Research Trip—The University of Tennessee at Martin Biology Department, Reelfoot Lake Environmental Field Station. Students (15 – 40 students at a time) will visit the watershed and two other sites around the lake. Water samples will be taken from each identified area and tested for dissolved oxygen and temperature, productivity, water chemistry, and soil analysis of the area. Additionally, students can observe vegetation and wildlife, and test water bugs from different sources to determine the effects of water quality. Students will collect and organize data, take photos, and then share their findings.

Standards

Science Standards:

EVSC.ESS2.5 Plan and carry out an investigation examining best management practices in water usage, agriculture, forestry, urban/suburban development, mining, or fishing and communicate findings.

EVSC.ESS2.5 Plan and carry out an investigation examining the chemical and physical properties of water and the impact of water on Earth’s topography. Analyze data and share findings.

EVSC.ETS2.2 Research and communicate information on an environmental science career. Analyze the role of society, engineering, technology, and science in that career.

Math Standards:

A1,N.Q.A.1
Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems. Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.

ELA and Other Standards:

9 -10.SL.PK1.4. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically, so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning; ensure the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

11 – 12.SL.PK1.4.
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence conveying a clear and distinct perspective so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning; address alternative or opposing perspectives; and organize and develop substance and style appropriate to task, purpose and audience.

Daily Activities