2. Why do the people of Jaffrey City think there is a problem in Jaffrey Lake?
Jaffrey lake used to be clean, full of wildlife and a great place to swim-but that has changed
It is now full of slimy green algae which floats on top
People, are finding dead fish on shore
People are now afraid to swim

3. Challenge Is the water in Jaffrey Lake contaminated?
You are part of a team of scientists that has been hired to run tests on the water
You will be testing nitrate and phosphate levels
There are 40 possible locations to test on the lake
You will only be paid to test 12 locations
The water flows downstream from west to east

5. Concentration Key Phosphates Nitrates 0-0.19 ppm 0-1.9 ppm

6. Procedure
You will be in teams of 4…2 of you will work together to test NITRATES…2 of you will work together to test PHOSPHATES.
(SM class: work in pairs…one test NO3; the other partner test PO4)
You will test 3 sites at a time. Choose your first 3 sites.
Place 3 test strips on a paper towel (3 for nitrate; 3 for phosphate)…write the site number at the bottom of each strip
Add 1 drop of the water sample on the end of the test strip (opposite end from where you wrote site #)
You will need to wait 1 minute for the color change on the nitrate strip

7. Procedure con’t
Use the comparison chart to match the color & determine the nitrate or phosphate level
Record your results for the first 3 sites in the data table
Determine the next 3 sites you will test
There are 4 rounds of 3 tests each
When your data is collected…color the map according to the key provided

8. So…does Jaffrey Lake have a water contamination problem??

10. Challenge
Research…
Sources of nitrates and phosphates (where do they come from? How do they get into the water systems)
Develop a cause effect model for how nitrates and phosphates may affect water quality (what effect nitrates and phosphate have on water quality)
Propose some options to prevent/reduce the excessive amount of nitrates and phosphates that enter our water systems

11. Prepare a formal proposal for the Jaffrey City Council…
Your report should have…
An introduction to the issue (what is it/what is the evidence)
A statement about the typical natural and man-made sources and amounts of phosphate and nitrate
Information on the effects of high levels of phosphate and nitrate
An explanation of the role of phosphate and nitrate in the eutrophication of the lake
Conclusion about the likely sources(s) and severity of the contamination
A recommendation for resolving & restoring the lake (how can the town clean up the lake…who needs to be held accountable?

12. What is EUTROPHICATION?
Watch animation
video 2
video 3
Increase in nutrients in aquatic ecosystems
Result in increase in plant growth (particularly phytoplankton)
Leads to algal blooms
may be toxic…may change oxygen levels
Increase in bacteria…use up the oxygen
Higher aquatic life dies

13. EUTROPHICATION

14. Human Impacts on Ecosystems: Nutrient Pollution
Nutrient Pollution: excess nitrogen and phosphorus flow into aquatic ecosystems
How does the nitrogen and phosphorus get into the water?
Runoff from animal waste, fertilizers, and soaps
Video: EPA stop at 1:40 (sources of nutrient pollution)

15. Effects of Nutrient Pollution= Eutrophication
Steps of Eutrophication
Nitrogen and Phosphorus enter the water.
Increase in algae (phytoplankton)
Algae dies
Lots of bacteria that decompose algae remove oxygen from water
No oxygen for the fish or other animals, so they die.
No oxygen= dead zone
Video on eutrophication and the Chesapeake Bay This 8 minute video clip shows how NASA is helping to monitor the health of Chesapeake Bay.
It includes eutrophication and attempts to restore native oystersNASA: