1. Pollution indicators
L.O: To be able to recognise the indicators of environmental changes like pollution

2. What environmental conditions could you measure and how?

3. What are the latest air pollution levels in Southampton. http://uk-air

4. Fire in the docks 17/4/12. What does the air pollution data show?

5. Pollution can be measured directly with oxygen meters, carbon dioxide in ice, temp probes etc.
Find the hottest area outside of school using the temperature probes. Is it polluted?
Or some living organisms can be used as indicators of pollution.

6. Pond
pH of water
No of species of insect larvae
No of species of plants 1
4.4 4 8 2
4.8 5 11 3
5.7 9 16
6.6 19 23
8.1 14 21
Describe the relationship between the number of species of plants and the acidity of water in a pond.
Give two explanations for the relationship between number of species of insect larvae and water acidity
How could you improve test to see if your ideas are correct?
What else in pond water could affect the numbers of insects and plants?

7. Pollution Indicators
In dirty water leeches and midges will survive
The quality of water can be monitored by looking at the species of insect in the water:
In average water more species (like the dragonfly and cranefly) will survive
In clean water a lot more species (like the mayfly and caddisfly) will survive

8. What has happened to the water in the river Thames over time?
Read the article

9. Eutrophication
Excess nitrates make their way into rivers and lakes causing rapid growth of some plants and algae
Some plants and algae then start dying due increased competition for light
Micro-organisms feed on the dead plant (which respire using up lots of oxygen)
A lack of oxygen in the water can be very bad news for larger organisms such as fish

10. Lichens in very clean air
There are many different species of lichen. Some tolerate air pollution and some don’t
Lichens in very clean air
Lichens can be used as air pollution indicators:
Lichens in clean air
Lichens in slightly dirty air
Lets survey the lichens around school

11. What would you advise the public to look out for if they thought they were living in a polluted area?