Pollution and algae

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Lesson 4Content Section -Pollution and the Algae.

Pollution is anything that can cause damage to the natural environment. It is usually caused by the activities of people or sometimes it happens naturally. There are different types of pollution such as Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Land Pollution, and Noise Pollution.

Water PollutionWater is used by both humans and wildlife so it is very important to keep water clean. Water pollu-tion can be described as “at-point” or “non-point”. “At-point” pollution happens when dirty water flows straight into the

main river or lake or is just simply dumped into the water. An example of this is whenchemicals are emptied into a river.

“Non-point” when pollution reaches the land indirectly. This maybe due to pollution on the road and the rain washes it into a drain.

Oil spillsOil spills are usually caused by oil spilling out into the ocean from a big ship or an oil rig. This has serious effect for all types of marine life. The oil may cover algae and plants and prevent oxygen from escaping. Oil spills can be poisonous to marine animals as they try to remove oil from themselves.Oil spills can also affect the smaller insects and other food sources in the food chain.

“Algal bloom” is a natural event and it hap-pens when there are too many microalgae on a lake, river or sea. They appear as green, brown or red microalgae on the surface of the water. The colour depends on the variety of microalgae in the water. The conditions that are needed for an algal bloom to form are sunlight, warm calm water, available nutrients for the microalgae to feed.

Eutrophication occurs when there is an excessive amount of nutrients available in the water and the conditions are ideal for growth.

Lesson Four. Page 65


These nutrients come from pollution. They include phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon. An example of one cause could be when people add chemicals such as nitrogen to their grass to help it grow. If the nitrogen accidentally goes into the water it will help the microalgae to grow. Eutrophi-cation is shown by a visible growth of mi-croalgae and other plants on the surface of the water. Over time the microalgae on the surface of the water will fall to the bottom of the lake or river and decompose. Micro-organisms that live in the water help the microalgae to decompose. The micro-organisms use the available oxygen in the water and this means there is little oxygen available for other marine life such as fish causing them to die.

Air Pollution – This is when pollution enters the air. It can be caused by chemi-cal sprays, smoke, fumes from cars or smoke from industry.

Another pollutant that causes air pollution is “methane gas”. This is a natural gas that comes from landfills and agricultural activity. Methane gas from landfills is caused when waste decomposes or (begins to rot). If you build a compost pile of biodegrada-ble material such as leaves, macroaglae and grass. Methane will be produced in the middle of the compost pile. Methane is colourless and odourless. Animals such as cows and sheep can also produce methane.

Greenhouse GasesThe main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide and water vapour. Carbon dioxide comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal and petrol.

Methane comes from the gases from animals and decomposing biodegradable materials. Greenhouse gases cause the earth to become warmer.

Another air pollutant is sulphur dioxide. This is caused by burning fossils fuels. Smoke containing sulphur dioxide is carried into the clouds and when it rains the rain becomes “acid rain”. Acid rain destroys plants and wildlife. Air pollution can be absorbed into the sea causing marine life such as algae and fish to die.

Land PollutionLand pollution is unwanted objects that cause harm to the environment. They can be “bio-degradable” or “non-bio-degrada-ble”.

Biodegradable waste comes from plants or animals and can be broken down by living organisms such as bacteria. Examples of biodegradable waste are such items as macroalgae, leaves and flowers. You could describe biodegradable items as any item that has lived or grown in the past.You can put biodegradable materials into the compost bin to create your own compost. Compost adds nutrients to the soil. Non- Biodegradable waste can not be broken down naturally by living organisms. These materials are made by man. These items include chemicals and plastic bags. Non-biodegradable litter will take a long time to decompose.

Noise pollutionNoise Pollution is unwanted sound. When an environment becomes very noisy for a long time wildlife will move away.


Brief SummaryAim: To introduce the different types of pollutions.

There are four different types of pollution. They are Water, Air, Land and Noise pollu-tion.

Water pollution can be caused by adding chemicals or unwanted substances into water. They can either be added directly or indirectly to the water. Oil spills can cause pollution. If the oil is spilled over a lake or body of water it will be poisonous to the fish and other marine life. It will also affect the Food Chain and Food Web. “Algal Bloom” is when there is a growth of microalgae on the water.This occurs naturally and is caused by a rise in temperature, light, warmer water and available nutrients. Eutrophication may occur when there is pollution added to the water. Eutrophication is when the environmental conditions lead to excessive growth of microalgae and other plants. Algal Bloom is caused by enough nutrients in the water to encourage microalgae to grow. Eutrophication is when there is an excessive amount of nutrients in the water promoting the growth of Algal Blooms which leads to dangerous conditions for the marine life.

Air pollution is when chemicals, smoke or spray enters the air. Methane gas is one of the Greenhouse gases. A source of methane gas is animals, landfills or garden compost. Methane gas occurs when micro-organisms decompose grass and macroalgae. Methane gas has no colour or smell.The Greenhouse gases consist of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and water vapour. Another air pollutant is sulphur dioxide. This comes from smoke and volcanoes. It is carried in the clouds. When it rains it causes acid rain. The acid rain is bad for the environment causing wildlife and algae to die.

Land Pollution is unwanted objects on land that cause harm to the environment. Land pollution is divided into biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable is material that can be easily broken down by micro-organisms. Material such as macroalgae, grass and vegetables are some of examples of biodegradable materials. Non-biodegradables are materials that can not be easily broken down. They are very harmful to the environ-ment. Materials such as chemicals, plastics and metals are some examples of non-biode-gradable materials.

Noise pollution is noise that may be harmful to the environment. This may be caused by traffic or building works. Noise pollution can be harmful to wildlife.

Activity Section – Lesson 4 – Pollution and Algae.


Learning Outcomes: ► Describe how water pollution can encourage the growth of algae. ► Show how acid rain affects the marine environment. ► Explain how bio-degradable and non-biodegradable material effects the environment.

Introduction:Allow the pupils to use their own words and thoughts to describe pollution. Ask the pupils to name and give examples of different types of pollutions such as Water Pollution - algal blooms, eutrophication, oil spills, acid rainAir Pollution – methane gas, acid rain, sulphur dioxideLand Pollution – biodegradable and non-biodegradable wasteNoise Pollution - traffic.

Activities:Activity 1- Water pollution-Describe what is happening in each picture. Activity 2-To test the rain water outside the classroom for “acid rain” with litmus paper.Activity 3-Make a list of Biodegradables and Non-Biodegradables from the items shown.

Final Activity: ► Teacher will revise with class the main learning points. The pupils will write the names of various types of pollution, their causes and effects.

► Teacher may use Activity 4 and Activity 5 to assess learning outcomes.Activity 4 - Communicating and Debating about Pollution and the Environment. Activity 5 - From the image below, can you name the factors that cause Eutrophication.

Vocabulary: pollution, methane, biodegradable, non- biodegradable and eutrophication.


Curriculum LinksScotlandCurriculum for Excellence

Literacy and EnglishListening and Talking Finding and using information

ReadingFinding and using information

WritingTools for writing

Social StudiesPeople, place and environment

Literacy and EnglishListening and Talking Finding and using information

ReadingTools for reading

WritingTools for writing

Social Studies People, place and environment

Level 1

Level 2

As I listen or watch, I can identify and discuss the purpose, key words and main ideas of the text, and use this information for a specific purpose. LIT 1-04a

I am learning to select and use strategies and tools for reading resources before I read, and as I read, to help make the meaning of texts clear. LIT 1-13a

Throughout the writing process, I can check that my writing makes sense. LIT 1-23a

I can consider ways of looking after my school or community and can encourage others to care for their environment.SOC 1-08a

As I listen or watch, I can identify and discuss the purpose, main ideas and supporting detail contained within the text, and use this information for different purposes. LIT 2-04a

I can select and use a range of strategies and resources before I read, and as I read, to make meaning clear and give reasons for my selection. LIT 2-13a

Throughout the writing process, I can check that my writing makes sense and meets its purpose. LIT 2-23a

I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way SOC 2-08a

Skills: Observe, inquiry, investigate and comprehend.


IrelandNational Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA)

First Class, Second Class

Third class, Fourth class, Fifth class

EnglishOral LanguageCompetence and confidence

WritingDeveloping cognitive abilities through languageSocial Environmental and Scientific Education(SESE)ScienceEnvironmental awareness and care -Caring for my locality

GeographyEnvironmental awarenessand care -Caring for my locality

English Fifth Class, Oral LanguageDeveloping cognitive abilities through oral language

Third Class, Fourth Class, ReadingReceptiveness to languageSocial Environmental andScientific Education (SESE)ScienceEnvironmental awareness and care,Caring for the environmentGeographyEnvironmental awareness and care. Environmental awareness

Focus on the subject under discussion and sustain a conversation on it in using language.

Write a version of the text told by the teacher.

Become aware of ways in which the environment can be polluted or harmed.

Realise that there is an individual and a community responsibility for taking care of the environment.

Discuss issues of major concern.

Understand the relationship between text and illustration.

Appreciate that the individual, community and national responsibility for the environment.

Recognise and investigate aspects of human activities which may have positive or adverse effects on environments.

Skills: Recall facts and definitions, observe, comprehend and conclude.

Lesson Four. 1

Northern IrelandCouncil for Curriculum Examination and Assessment (CCEA)

Key Stage 1

Key Stage 2

Language and LiteracyTalking and listening

Reading

Writing

The World Around UsInterdependence

Change over Time

Language and LiteracyTalking and listening

Reading

Writing

The World Around UsInterdependence

Place

Change over Time

Listen to, interpret and retell with a range of written texts.

Use a range of comprehension skills, both oral and written, to interpret and discuss text.

Organise, structure and present ideas and information using traditional means.

Interdependence of people and the environment.

Positive change and how we have a responsibility to make an active contribution.

Listen and respond to a range of fiction through the use of traditional resources.

Represent their understanding of texts in a range of ways including visual and oral.

Begin to format their own style.

The effect of people on the natural and built environment over time.

Positive and negative effects of natural and human events upon place over time.

The effects of positive and negative changes globally and how we contribute to some of these changes.

Skills: Thinking, problem solving, observe and comprehend.


Water Pollution - Describe what is happening in each picture.

Activity 1. Name

Image 1. Image 2.

Image 4.Image 3.

Questions.


To test the rain water outside the classroom for “acid rain” with litmus paper.

(Demonstration by teacher)Materials:GlassLitmus paper (from a scientific supplier)Collection jar/ clean bucket

Method:Leave collection jar outside the school building in a safe location for a few days to collect rain water.Bring collection jar into the classroom.Demonstrate to the class by pouring water collect into the clear glass.Briefly explain that litmus paper is used to test whether a substance is acidic or alkaline. The litmus paper will turn red if acidic or blue if alkaline.Then test the pH of the water with one piece of litmus paper.If the litmus paper turns red or slightly red then there may be pollution in the area which may result in acid rain.

Use the Scientific Investigation Sheet to record your results.

Questions:

What would be the causes of acid rain at your school?

Are there a lot of factories or other sources of air pollution in your area?

How would it affect your environment?

How does acid rain affect algae?

Activity 2. Name


From the items below, separate the Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable products into two different lists.

Bio- degradable items are items that have lived or grown in the past. They may also be natural products.

Non-biodegradable materials are made by man.

Biodegradable Non-Biodegradable

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

6. 6.

7. 7.

8. 8.

Activity 3. Name

Soap

Flower

Shoes

Computer

Plastic Bag

Bread

Mirror

Grass

BananaCarrot

Egg

Cup

Washing- Up Liquid

Milk

Car

Macroalgae


Communicating and Debating about Pollution and the Environment.

(This activity can be carried out on individual basis by each pupil or by pupils dividing into groups).

1. Each group/ pupil must pick one of the jobs from the following sections.

- a factory owner - a car manufacturer - an environmentalist (a person who takes care of the Environment)- a farmer- a bus driver - a gardener

Each group/pupil must make a list of how their job/ sector that they have chosen contributes to the environment.

2. Try to list how your job helps or damages the environment.

3. Try to think of ways in which you can prevent the damage.

4. Note on your list why it is important to prevent pollution.

5. Each pupil or group will discuss with other members of the class their findings.

6. The entire class will come to an agreement on the issues discussed.

Activity 4.


From the image below, can you name the factors that cause Eutrophication.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Activity 5. Name


Questions

1. What is pollution?

2. What are the four main types of pollution?

3. Give one example of each of the four types of pollution?

4. What is Eutrophication?

5. How do Micro-algae cause pollution?

6. What causes acid rain?

7. How does acid rain contribute to pollution?

8. How do oil spills affect the environment?

9. What would you put in your compost bin?

10. What do you think will happen if there is extra nitrogen added to the water in rivers or lakes?

Name


Answers to Lesson 4

Activity 1- Water Pollution-Describes what is happening in each picture.

Answer: Pollution 1-Image of clean water.Pollution 2-Image of farming activity.Pollution 3-Image of more agricultural and industrial activity.Pollution 4-Image of growth of algae.

1. Image of clean water–This image shows that there is no pollution. This image shows the natural environment. The wildlife and fish do not receive any pollution.

2. Image of farming activity – This image shows a little pollution being introduced to the environment from the smoke of the tractor and the disruption of the land. There is also noise pollution from the tractor.

3. Image of more agricultural and industrial activity – In this image there is an industrial factory present which puts waste into the water and also creates air pollution which contributes to acid rain. The waste from the cows grazing on the land adds methane gas to create air pollution and water pollution by seeping into the river. The farming activity creates noise pollution, air pollution from the fumes of the tractor and water pollution into the river by the intensive farming.As it is a nice warm sunny day and the sun is providing light for the microalgae they are ideal conditions for the microalgae to grow. The water receives extra pollutants and this makes algae grow faster.

4. Image of growth of algae- In this image the farming activity intensifies and there is still industrial activity present. All the pollutants still enters the water giving the algae more nutrients to grow. As it rains, the river receives more pollution and the remaining pollution on the land will be washed into the river with the rain. The air pollution will be present in the rain and will fall as acid rain. Eventually the micro-organ-isms that eat the decaying microalgae and help it to decompose will use up all the avail-able oxygen. This means that there is less oxygen available for the fish and other marine life so they will eventually die.


Activity 2 - To test the rain water outside the classroom for “acid rain” with litmus paper.

Questions:What would be the causes of acid rain at your school?Answer: Air pollution would be the main cause with pollution from cars and factories in the nearby location.

Are there a lot of factories or other sources of air pollution in your area?Answer: If there are factories or other sources of pollution in the area this will lead to more acid in the rain water.

How would acid rain affect your environment?Answer: The acid rain will have a negative effect on the environment. Some plants and animals do not like this rain and may even die. Acid rain even effects buildings. The building may appear rough over years of acid rain depending on the stone used in the building.

How does acid rain affect algae?Answer: The micro-organisms that eat dying algae will not be able to survive acid rain so the micro-organisms die. This results in growth of algae on the surface of the water. Fish and other filter feeders will die as a result of acid rain.

Activity 3 - From the items below, separate the Biodegradable and Non - Biodegradable products into two different lists.

Biodegradable Non-Biodegradable

1. Flower 1. Soap

2. Grass 2. Plastic Bag

3. Egg 3. Shoes

4. Carrot 4. Mirror

5. Banana 5. Car

6. Milk 6. Washing-Up Liquid

7. Macroalgae 7. Cup

8. Bread 8. Computer


Activity 4- Communicating and Debating about Pollution and the Environment.

1. Each group/ pupils must pick one of the jobs from the following sections.

- a factory owner - a car manufacturer - an environmentalist (a person who supports the Environment)- a farmer- a bus driver - a gardener

Each group/pupil must make a list of how their job/ sector that they have chosen contribute to the environment.

2. Try to list how your job helps or damages to environment.

A factory owner: Helps - by making products for people.Damages –may cause land pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and air pollution.

A farmer: Helps - by providing food for people. Damages – may cause land, water, air and noise pollution.

A car manufacturer: Helps – by providing transport for people. Some engines and types of petrol are kinder for the environment than others.Damages– may cause may cause land pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and air pollution.

An environmentalist: Helps – tries to inform people of how to keep the Environment safe.Damages– not usually known to damage the environment but should use environmentally friendly paper when informing the public in print format.

A bus driver: Helps- transport people, no need to use individual cars causing extra air pollution.Damages- may cause land pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and air pollution.

A gardener: Helps- grow plants and flowers and this provides food for wildlife.Damages – the gardener could use dangerous chemicals to make the plants and flowers grow. This can cause water pollution.


3. Try to think of ways in which you can prevent the damage.

A factory owner: Don’t build the factory beside water as it could result in water pollution, safely dispose of waste, try to reuse the waste in the factory to produce energy. (This will be explained briefly in Lesson 6).

A farmer: Try to limit farming activity beside water as it could result in water pollution, try to limit certain types of faming activity when it is raining as the rain may wash the pollution into the water, safely dispose of waste. Use farming practices that are environmentally friendly. Try to reuse the waste form the farm to produce energy such heat or electricity. (This will be explained briefly in Lesson 6).

A car manufacturer: Safely dispose of waste to avoid land pollution, water pollution and air pollution. Try to avoid building the factory near towns as it may cause pollution for the people living nearby.

An environmentalist: Try to provide the public with more information. Use recycled paper.

A bus driver: Try to use environmentally friendly petrol and engines that are kinder to the environment.

A gardener: Try not to use chemicals to help the plants grow but naturally compost or fertilizer that are biodegradable.

4. Note on your list why it is important to prevent pollution.It is important to prevent pollution for the overall health of the environment and for the health of human. Pollution also effects the food chain which means human, plant and animals have difficulty obtaining their food.

5. Each pupil or group will discuss with other members of the class their findings.

6. The entire class will come to an agreement on the issues discussed.


Activity 5 - From the image below, can you name the factors that cause

Eutrophication.

Answer:

Extra nutrients, temperature of water, sunlight and oxygen.

It is caused by water becoming polluted from industrial waste or farming activities and

allowing too much nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus to enter the water which adds the nu-

trients to the water. This will increase the presence of mirco-algae (phytoplankton) which

causes eutrophication. Weather conditions such as the temperature of water and sunlight

also encourages the growth of micro-algae. When the mirco-algae grow on the surface on

the water they decompose and bacteria/ micro-organisms will feed on them. The micro-

organisms use up the oxygen so there is less available for other marine life.

Questions

1. What is pollution?

Answer: Pollution is anything that can harm the environment. It can be caused naturally

by the environment or by people.

2. What are the four main types of pollution?

Answer: Air pollution, Land pollution, Noise Pollution, Water Pollution

3. Give one example of each of the four types of pollution?

Answer:

Air pollution – burning rubbish, car exhaust, smoke from factories.

Land Pollution- people throwing litter on land, people emptying chemicals.

Noise pollution – noise of traffic, noise from construction work.

Water pollution – oil spills, acid rain, waste entering water from industry or farming

activities.


4. What is Eutrophication?

Answer: It is caused by water becoming polluted from industrial waste or farming activi-

ties causing too many nutrients (nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus) entering the water.

This will encourage the growth of plants or algae in the water. The algae and plants will

die. Micro-organisms that live naturally in the water will use up oxygen while feeding on

the plants and algae. This results in less oxygen available for other fish and wildlife in

the river or lake.

5. How do Micro-algae cause pollution?

Answer: Micro-algae (phytoplankton) are tiny algae that live in water. If it receives

extra nutrients from pollution they will grow and die and cause eutrophication.

Eutrophication will result in the death of marine life. The micro-algae will eventually die

and bacteria that live in the water will live off the dead micro-algae. The bacteria will

use up the available oxygen causing the fish to die from insufficient oxygen.

6. What causes acid rain?

Answer: Air pollution such as fumes from exhaust, burning fossil fuels such as coal and

chemicals from industry. All of these pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and sulphur

dioxide enters the atmosphere and when it rains the rain becomes acidic resulting in acid

rain. The acid rain damages wildlife, algae and plants.

7. How do oil spills affect the environment?

Answer: It affects all aspect of the marine environment. The oil will cover the algae

(both macroalgae and microalgae) so it will not be able to photosynthesise properly.

Wildlife will not be able to eat algae or other animals. The food chain will be disrupted.

Filter-feeders such as mussels will not be able to get microalgae from water. Fish and

wildlife will die because their food will be poisoned from the oil. The oil will cover the

birds and their feathers will become heavy.


8. Can you think of any activities that cause water pollution?

Answer: Water pollution is caused by general pollution from people emptying waste

(purposely or accidently) into water and industrial activities polluting the air and entering

the water through acid rain. Water pollution can also be caused by industrial activities

emptying waste directly into water, oil spills, farming activities putting waste directly

into water or putting waste and chemicals onto land and the rain washing it into rivers.

9. What would you put in your compost bin?

Answer: Biodegradable material. Anything that decomposes. Example include scraps of

food, grass cuttings, leaves, egg shells, tea leaves, wood chippings, weeds and straw.

10. What do you think would happen if there was extra nitrogen added to the water in

rivers or lakes?

Answer: This would cause pollution which would then cause eutrophication which would

increase the plant growth in the water and decrease the oxygen causing fish and other

wildlife to die.

Pollution 1(image 10)

Pollution 4Pollution 4(image 13)

Alg

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Pollution and algae

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