Water Pollution

A chicken farmer stores all of the chicken manure from his farm in large piles next to the river. Throughout the spring and summer, the piles of manure are exposed to rain and wind. The farmer finally removes the manure in the fall.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Instead of riding his bike, a college student drives to class every day. He also drives to the store, to friend's houses, and everywhere else. every time he fills up his tank, a little bit of gasoline drips to the ground. The car's exhaust contains nitrogen oxides, which contribute to nitrogen levels in nearby water bodies.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

By rotating their crops, farmers can reduce their dependence on fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Despite the benefits of crop rotation, many farmers only grow one or two crops year after year. This increases their use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

A new mall and movie theatre are being built on the outskirts of suburbia. Trees and brush are cleared away, the land is bulldozed, and a silt fence is installed across part of the development. However, construction is delayed for a year, leaving the land exposed to the elements.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

Rather than pay for an oil change at the service station, Justin decides to do the job himself. He drains the used oil and antifreeze directly onto the ground in the alley beside his house. After several years, he notices there are no more frogs in the pond behind his house.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

After buying a new house by a lake, the Harrison's decided to cut down the trees and bushes that were blocking their view. This left an open area with no vegetation between the house and the lake.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

After a home renovation, Marta and Xander had leftover paint and solvent. Instead of following the disposal instructions on the containers, they decided the easiest way to dispose of these materials was to place them in the garbage for their regular trash pickup.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

In a large new housing complex, many families do not practice water conservation. They take long showers, overwater their lawns, and wash their cars frequently. They local water treatment facility is old and was not designed to handle that increased amount of water, causing untreated sewage to be released into the environment.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-5

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

Many school cafeterias serve food on paper products rather than using reusable plates, glasses, and trays. In many cases, these paper products are not made from recycled paper.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

A new development is being built on the outskirts of a city, near a stream. A parking lot is constructed on one side of the stream, and land is cleared for a playground on the other side. Cars in the parking lot sometimes leak oil and antifreeze onto the pavement.

• Toxic

• Sediment

• Nutrient

• Bacterial

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4