HOUSATONIC  RIVER  RESTORATION  
  HRR Home   | Education Network  |  Curriculum Project  |  High School Curriculum

 

 

Task:

You are a member of a team of environmental chemists who have been asked to investigate the problem of milfoil in a lake in your community and to propose a possible solution to the problem. This lake is used for recreational purposes including boating, fishing, and swimming.

 

Resources:

Use the following online resources to help you obtain the information you need to complete your task.

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/plants/docs/my_spica.html http://www.vnps.org/invasive/invfsmysp.htm http://www.state.me.us/dep/iob/iob_130.htm http://www.consecol.org/vol6/iss1/art1/ http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2001-12/uonc-ubs121701.php http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?id=5839 http://www.bigfishtackle.com/teambigfish/david_christian_articles1.htm http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/lakeside/water.html

http://thornapple.tripod.com/TREI/jordanlake.html

 

Process:

1) Using the resources provided to you in this Webquest, complete the following questions:

a) What is milfoil?

b) What conditions promote the growth of milfoil?

c) In what ways is milfoil an environmental hazard?

d) In what ways is milfoil an economic hazard?

e) What chemistry principles are needed to investigate the problem of milfoil?

f) What are the methods of treating milfoil in lakes and rivers?


 

2) After completing the questions in step 1, meet with your partners to discuss the best method of removing the milfoil from the lake. Why is your solution method the best method to use? Keep in mind the environmental effects of the proposed solution to the problem of milfoil.

 

3) Prepare your presentation as a group. It should include information on what milfoil is, the conditions that promote the growth of milfoil, and your proposed solution method.

 

4) Prepare a brochure or information sheet as a group for your environmental chemical company. Include the name and logo of your company and the services provided by your company.

 

5) Prepare your presentation. The presentation should be 3 to 5 minutes in duration and will be scored based on the assessment rubric in the evaluation section of this Webquest.

 

Conclusion:

To conclude this project write a well developed essay in response to the following question:

Based on the work done to complete this Webquest, why is milfoil a chemist's dilemma?