AP Environmental Science
Water Quality Virtual Lab
Engage
1. Think of and name some water sources that are safe to drink: Tap water, bottled water, water from
treated sites (maybe streams, rivers, etc.)
2. Think of and name some water sources that are not safe to drink: Untreated water, sewage/waste
water
3. What would be an example of water that would be good for fish, but not safe for humans to drink?
An example could be sea water or salt water which a fish may live in for an environment, but is not safe
from humans to drink.
Explore #1
Online Simulation
Go to the following website:
https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/learnaboutsurfacewater/propertiesofwater/aquaticmacros
1. What is a macroinvertebrate? It is an organism that can be seen with the naked eye (macro) that does not have a
backbone since it is an invertebrate.
2. Name a few different habitats in the water that macroinvertebrates live in. They can live in aquatic habitats like
moving streams, shallow ponds, bottom of lakes within the soft sediments, etc.
3. How do they indicate pollution? Macroinvertebrates are able to withstand various levels of pollution and stream
conditions, so scientists are able to use whether they are within an ecosystem or absent to showcase clean or
polluted water.
4. Provide an example: An example from the website showcased how the larvae of organisms like mayflies and
stoneflies can not live in water that is polluted, so habitats that have these organisms within it must have good
water quality according to the above indication.
5. Describe the five factors that influence macroinvertebrate health (these five factors are often on the AP Exam)
Five factors that influence their health include 1) seasons which ties to the food availability of energy sources
such as higher algae production in the summer, 2) dissolved oxygen to which macroinvertebrates breathe and
require high levels at the immature stage, 3) substrate which is what the bottom of the stream is made of that
affects which organisms decide to reside, 4) pH to which low pH levels can weaken shells and exoskeletons that
may kill the organisms, 5) nutrient enrichment to which added minerals and nutrients can lead to eutrophication,
using up dissolved oxygen that macroinvertebrates rely on.
Explain:
7. Do you think the water quality value for macroinvertebrates applies more for water that is good for aquatic life (such
as fish) or safe for drinking? Or both? Explain your thinking: I think it is both as it goes hand in hand with each other.
Since some macroinvertebrates won’t live in aquatic environments that are polluted, it shows a better water quality
value for this area which also may indicate water that may be safe enough for drinking, dependent on how tolerant the
organism is. The more non tolerant the organism is with the water quality, the less likely for pollution and the higher
probability that the water is more safer for drinking.
This study source was downloaded by 100000850872992 from CourseHero.com on 04-11-2023 10:06:33 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/92915794/APES-CH-14-Water-Pollution-Virtual-Labdocx/
, Water pollution is a very important topic in AP Environmental Science and in our daily lives.
Use your textbook to answer the following questions:
8. Define point-source water pollution and give 3 examples:
Point-source water pollution includes pollution from distinct locations.
1. Factory that pumps its waste into nearby stream
2. Sewage treatment plant that discharges wastewater from a pipe into the ocean
3. Smokestacks that spew various gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.
1. Define non-point-source water pollution and give 3 examples:
Non-point sources are more dispersed and diffused areas that pollution comes from.
1. Entire farming region runoff into nearby river from fertilizers and pesticides
2. Storm runoff from parking lots
3. Sediment from constructions sites in the city through urban runoff, eroding stream banks
1. List 3 sources of toxic chemicals (where they come from):
a. Animal feedlots
b. Industrial Plants
c. Military Compounds
1. List 3 examples of a toxic chemical:
1. Lead
2. Arsenic
3. Mercury
1. List 2 nutrients that cause eutrophication and hypoxia: Nitrogen and Phosphorous
1. Describe how eutrophication occurs: Eutrophication occurs as a result from an excess supply of nutrients such as
nitrogen or phosphorus which causes rapid algal bloom. After this enormous amount of growth dies, then
microbes rapidly digest, consuming oxygen. Consequences include a severe lack of oxygen and creation of dead
zones.
1. List 4 sources of excess nutrients:
a. Runoff from fertilizers
b. Runoff from storm water
c. Power plant emissions
d. Failing septic tanks
1. List 4 ways to prevent nutrient pollution and eutrophication:
a. Use fertilizers that have less chemicals like phosphorous
b. Plant trees and native plants
c. Pick up pet waste and feces
d. Reducing sprinkler usage and over watering
This study source was downloaded by 100000850872992 from CourseHero.com on 04-11-2023 10:06:33 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/92915794/APES-CH-14-Water-Pollution-Virtual-Labdocx/
Water Quality Virtual Lab
Engage
1. Think of and name some water sources that are safe to drink: Tap water, bottled water, water from
treated sites (maybe streams, rivers, etc.)
2. Think of and name some water sources that are not safe to drink: Untreated water, sewage/waste
water
3. What would be an example of water that would be good for fish, but not safe for humans to drink?
An example could be sea water or salt water which a fish may live in for an environment, but is not safe
from humans to drink.
Explore #1
Online Simulation
Go to the following website:
https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/learnaboutsurfacewater/propertiesofwater/aquaticmacros
1. What is a macroinvertebrate? It is an organism that can be seen with the naked eye (macro) that does not have a
backbone since it is an invertebrate.
2. Name a few different habitats in the water that macroinvertebrates live in. They can live in aquatic habitats like
moving streams, shallow ponds, bottom of lakes within the soft sediments, etc.
3. How do they indicate pollution? Macroinvertebrates are able to withstand various levels of pollution and stream
conditions, so scientists are able to use whether they are within an ecosystem or absent to showcase clean or
polluted water.
4. Provide an example: An example from the website showcased how the larvae of organisms like mayflies and
stoneflies can not live in water that is polluted, so habitats that have these organisms within it must have good
water quality according to the above indication.
5. Describe the five factors that influence macroinvertebrate health (these five factors are often on the AP Exam)
Five factors that influence their health include 1) seasons which ties to the food availability of energy sources
such as higher algae production in the summer, 2) dissolved oxygen to which macroinvertebrates breathe and
require high levels at the immature stage, 3) substrate which is what the bottom of the stream is made of that
affects which organisms decide to reside, 4) pH to which low pH levels can weaken shells and exoskeletons that
may kill the organisms, 5) nutrient enrichment to which added minerals and nutrients can lead to eutrophication,
using up dissolved oxygen that macroinvertebrates rely on.
Explain:
7. Do you think the water quality value for macroinvertebrates applies more for water that is good for aquatic life (such
as fish) or safe for drinking? Or both? Explain your thinking: I think it is both as it goes hand in hand with each other.
Since some macroinvertebrates won’t live in aquatic environments that are polluted, it shows a better water quality
value for this area which also may indicate water that may be safe enough for drinking, dependent on how tolerant the
organism is. The more non tolerant the organism is with the water quality, the less likely for pollution and the higher
probability that the water is more safer for drinking.
This study source was downloaded by 100000850872992 from CourseHero.com on 04-11-2023 10:06:33 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/92915794/APES-CH-14-Water-Pollution-Virtual-Labdocx/
, Water pollution is a very important topic in AP Environmental Science and in our daily lives.
Use your textbook to answer the following questions:
8. Define point-source water pollution and give 3 examples:
Point-source water pollution includes pollution from distinct locations.
1. Factory that pumps its waste into nearby stream
2. Sewage treatment plant that discharges wastewater from a pipe into the ocean
3. Smokestacks that spew various gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.
1. Define non-point-source water pollution and give 3 examples:
Non-point sources are more dispersed and diffused areas that pollution comes from.
1. Entire farming region runoff into nearby river from fertilizers and pesticides
2. Storm runoff from parking lots
3. Sediment from constructions sites in the city through urban runoff, eroding stream banks
1. List 3 sources of toxic chemicals (where they come from):
a. Animal feedlots
b. Industrial Plants
c. Military Compounds
1. List 3 examples of a toxic chemical:
1. Lead
2. Arsenic
3. Mercury
1. List 2 nutrients that cause eutrophication and hypoxia: Nitrogen and Phosphorous
1. Describe how eutrophication occurs: Eutrophication occurs as a result from an excess supply of nutrients such as
nitrogen or phosphorus which causes rapid algal bloom. After this enormous amount of growth dies, then
microbes rapidly digest, consuming oxygen. Consequences include a severe lack of oxygen and creation of dead
zones.
1. List 4 sources of excess nutrients:
a. Runoff from fertilizers
b. Runoff from storm water
c. Power plant emissions
d. Failing septic tanks
1. List 4 ways to prevent nutrient pollution and eutrophication:
a. Use fertilizers that have less chemicals like phosphorous
b. Plant trees and native plants
c. Pick up pet waste and feces
d. Reducing sprinkler usage and over watering
This study source was downloaded by 100000850872992 from CourseHero.com on 04-11-2023 10:06:33 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/92915794/APES-CH-14-Water-Pollution-Virtual-Labdocx/
