Intro to TOXINS

Class Agenda TODAY’s PLAN: Today’s TaSK: EQ: What happens to the “Stuff” that enters the water system through storm water run-off? LT: Ask questions and define problems using systems thinking. SC: Develop a water toxin/pollution model to help predict the affects on people in our community Working in teams of 4 Research what pollutants are in our watershed. Exit ticket: how do toxins enter our cells?

INITIAL THOUGHTS #1: What are our water tests missing? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

INITIAL THOUGHTS #2: What effects might our water quality have on salmon? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gflkX79UOSA

Look at this model and make a T-chart: (5 min). WHERE DO TOXINS GO Look at this model and make a T-chart: (5 min) WHERE DO TOXINS GO? What do you know? What do you need to know?

CLASS VIDEO: What happens to toxins in our water? Intro to Sammy the Salmon. Video https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sammy+the+salmon&view=detail&mid=28FE8E29F6ED0224378128FE8E29F6ED02243781&FORM=VIRE Stop video at 1:15 minutes!!!!

TOXIC DEAD ZONES * Add to your T-chart as you watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p- CzdrvpgMI

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH JIGSAW RESEARCH Assign each group member a specific toxin or condition: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH 2. Use the next slides to conduct research and become experts on your topic 3. Prepare to teach each other 4. You’re only allowed to find other resources after you have searched mine properly.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

What does ammonia measure and where does it come from? When a fish poops, it rots in the water and produces Ammonia. The ammonia is invisible, and the only way of detecting it is by using test kits. If your water is sparkling clear, it does not mean that it is safe for fish. Uneaten food can also produce lots of Ammonia. Ammonia is not safe for fish. It will poison them to death. But in a closed area like an aquarium, how can it be safe to keep fish in?

What does nitrite measure and where does it come from? Nitrite is just as poisonous as Ammonia, maybe even more. As I said earlier, the first batch of bacteria eat Ammonia. Their waste is called Nitrite. Now the second batch of bacteria eats the Nitrite and produces Nitrate in return. These two colonies of bacteria are both housed in your filter pad. We test for Nitrite to make sure our fish are safe from it and to know that the first colony of bacteria is ready.

Good bacteria bad This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

What does nitrate measure and where does it come from? Nitrate is safe for fish. But it still builds up since there is no more bacteria to eat it. If the Nitrate level is above 40 ppm (Parts Per Million) it is still unsafe for fish. So to remove it you do water changes or add live plants! Replacing Nitrate filled water with new water dilutes the remaining Nitrate. That’s why we do water changes weekly. More Ammonia put into the cycle comes out to be more Nitrate. What comes in must come out. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Good bacteria Ammonia Nitrite New batch bacteria Nitrate Nitrite

What does pH measure and where does it come from? A failing pH can be an indication of excess ammonia and/or nitrite resulting from a dead organism, decaying food or plants within the system; it could also be linked to a deficiency of calcium, magnesium or alkalinity. Each of these conditions either produces acids, or is an indication of a mineral imbalance that is harmful to aquarium organisms.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Exit ticket: Fast Finisher: Predict how toxins enter our cells? Log in and test your knowledge with kahoot.