Water Pollution Introduction

How Does Pollution Enter Our Waterways?

What is Water Pollution?

●

Water pollution occurs when
harmful substances
contaminate water

●

Can happen in rivers, lakes,
oceans and groundwater

●

Affects drinking water, wildlife
and ecosystems

Multiple Choice

What is water pollution?

• Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by harmful substances.
• Water pollution is the absence of any substances in water.
• Water pollution refers to the natural state of water bodies.
• Water pollution is the process of purifying water bodies.

Today's Learning Objectives Goals

● Learn how rain carries pollution into waterways
● Create a model to see how pollutants mix with water
● Make careful observations about water pollution spread
● Practice scientific recording and analysis

Demonstration #1: The Set Up…

● Clear plastic container of water (lake)
● Crumpled paper (the earth)
● Colored powder (our "pollution")
● Spray bottle with water (our "rain")

Multiple Choice

What happens when rain falls on land that has pollutants?

• Rain purifies the land by removing pollutants.
• Rain can transport pollutants into the soil and waterways, causing pollution.
• Pollutants evaporate with the rain.
• Rain has no effect on pollutants in the soil.

Multiple Choice

What is a possible negative effect of pollution getting into lakes and rivers?

• Enhanced growth of plant life in the area.
• Harm to aquatic life and ecosystems.
• Improved water quality for drinking.
• Increased recreational activities for tourists.

Demonstration #2: The Set Up…

● Clear plastic container of water (lake)
● Food coloring (our "pollution")
● Spray bottle with water (our "rain")

What to look for:
● Color distribution
● Water movement
● Changes in "pollution" spread

Create this Data Table in your journal:

Effects of Rain on Pollution

Time

Color Distribution

Water Movement

Start

After 2 sprays

After 4 sprays

After 6 sprays

End of experiment

Multiple Choice

What effect does rain have on pollution that is already present in ground water?

• Rain has no effect on groundwater pollution.
• Rain only increases the concentration of pollutants.
• Rain cleanses groundwater completely of all contaminants.
• Rain can both dilute existing pollutants and introduce new contaminants into groundwater.

Real World Connection

● Storm drains lead to

waterways

● Rain carries pollutants

from streets

● Oil, trash, and chemicals

can enter water

Earth’s Freshwater supply…

Types of Water Pollutants

●

Chemical pollution

●

Trash and plastics

●

Oil and fuel

●

Farm runoff

Multiple Choice

What percentage of the water on Earth is "Fresh Water?"

• 97%

• 3%

• Less than 1%

• Roughly half

Earth’s Freshwater supply…

Types of Water Pollutants

●

Chemical pollution

●

Trash and plastics

●

Oil and fuel

●

Farm runoff

Multiple Choice

Of the 3% of water on Earth that is considered freshwater, most of that water is in the form of ice or underground. What percentages is actually on the surface in lakes, rivers, and streams?

• 97%

• 61%

• 0.3%

• 25%

Earth’s Freshwater supply…

Types of Water Pollutants

●

Chemical pollution

●

Trash and plastics

●

Oil and fuel

●

Farm runoff

Multiple Choice

All of the following are types of water pollution EXCEPT.

• Air pollution
• Farm Runoff

• Trash and Plastics

• Chemical pollution

Effects on Wildlife

● Animals can get sick
● Habitats become damaged
● Food chains disrupted

Multiple Choice

How might water pollution affect different
water animals?

• disrupting ecosystems, and leading to habitat loss.

• water pollution enhances the growth of aquatic plants.

• water pollution has no effect on water animals.

• water pollution improves the health of water animals.

Effects on People

● Unsafe drinking water
● Beach and lake closures

● Contaminated fish (food)
● Health problems

Multiple Choice

Water pollution may affect humans in all of the following ways EXCEPT!

• Improving physical fitness
• Increasing the risk of diseases
• Contaminating drinking water
• Contaminating fish (food)

Prevention Methods

● Proper waste disposal
● Reduce chemical use
● Clean up after pets
● Don't litter

Multiple Choice

What else can we do to help prevent/reduce water pollution?

• Promote chemical fertilizers for crops
• Encourage dumping waste in rivers
• Increase use of single-use plastics
• Reducing plastic use and proper waste disposal

In Your Neighborhood

● Look for potential pollution

sources

● Notice storm drains
● Think about where water

flows

● What could enter

waterways when it rains?

Key Takeaways

● Pollution spreads easily in water
● Rain carries pollutants to waterways
● Everyone can help prevent water pollution
● Clean water matters for all life

Poll

How well do you feel you understand today's Learning Objectives?

● Learn how rain carries pollution into waterways
● Create a model to see how pollutants mix with water
● Make careful observations about water pollution spread
● Practice scientific recording and analysis

• I understand and could explain it to someone else

• I understand but not sure if I could explain it to someone else

• I do not yet understand and need more information