Pollutant Effects of Phosphates and Nitrates
kit #20
This kit is an excellent environmental pollution laboratory activity. Students use water samples from nearby fresh waterways to set up controlled experiments, observe them, and determine the effects on fresh water (both qualitative and quantitative) when phosphate and nitrate compounds are added. Over a period of ten days, students will observe and compare the blooming of algae and bacteria in water samples spiked with varying amounts of pollutants.
- Investigate pollution and environmental impact
- Experiment with phosphate and nitrate compounds and the growth of algae over a 10 day period
- Understand how nitrogen and phosphorous contribute to environmental problems
- Calculate the growth rate of algae
Content List in Pollutant Effects of Phosphates and Nitrates is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 35 | Clear plastic testing containers |
| 35 | Pressure sensitive identification labels |
| 3 | 30-mL drop control bottles of Nitrate solution |
| 3 | 30-mL drop control bottles of Phosphate and Nitrate solution |
| 3 | 30-mL drop control bottles of Phosphate Solution |
| 30 | Student Guides |
| 1 | Teacher’s Guide with MSDS |
- Number of groups per class
- maximum 5 groups
- Number of students per class
- maximum 35 (with 7 students per group)
- Number of classes
- at least 6 (but not simultaneously)
To complete this kit requires one ~50-minute class session for collection and set-up and about 10 minutes during each of the next 5-10 class sessions to observe and take notes.
