THE UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
SCIE 30001 – Earth and Life Science 1
Term II - 2016 ECOSYSTEM ASSIGNMENT - 20 %
Carry out the following activity in small groups.
Each group is responsible for providing the materials below.
The activity is to be done in class.
In class activity – 3 %
Recording of activity – 10%
Investigating pollution by oil
Background: Mineral oil pollute the marine environment and affect the well-being
of humans, as well as flora and fauna. Major oil spills which occurred in the recent
past have seriously affected our local and global marine environment. Carry out
the following activities to infer the possible effects of oil slicks on the marine
environment.
Ref: OAS and MOE (1994). Teachers’ Resource Book for Primary School Science –
activities related to the environment and technology. Multinational Project on Basic
Education, OAS/MOE. Trinidad and Tobago.
Materials –
4 large containers (Polystyrene bowls or cups)
2 medicine droppers or plastic spoons or plastic straws
6 drinking straws (clean)
5 Chicken or other feathers (students supply this)
A small bottle of used motor oil (students supply)
Liquid detergent
Newspapers.
Activity 1: Investigating the effects of dispersing oil (10%)
Inquiry Question: What is the best method for cleaning up an oil spill?
Make a prediction (what you think will be the outcome of the activity) before you
start the activity.
Procedure:
Label 4 identical containers 1-4.
Pour the same amount of tap water into each of 4 identical containers (about
half fill).
Place 10 drops of motor oil in each container.
Container 1: Using a straw, individuals should simultaneously blow on the oil in
one of the containers. Record your observations.
Container 2: Group member should simultaneously tap the sides of the container
to create ripple waves. Record your observations.
Container 3: Add 5 drops of dish washing liquid to this container.
Container 4: Leave this container as a control.
Observe how or if the oil is dispersed in each container. Record how long it
takes to disperse.
Activity 2: Investigating the effect of oil on feathers.(10%)
Inquiry question: How are feather affected by oil pollution?
SCIE3001 ECOSYSTEM ASSIGNMENT 2015
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THE UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Make a prediction (what you think will be the outcome of the activity) before you
start the activity.
Procedure:
Spread newspapers on the ground and desk before starting this activity.
Dip one of the feathers in the motor oil
Allow excess oil to drip off and observe carefully.
Compare the oiled feather with another feather that has not been dripped in oil
Fan the back of your hands with both feathers.
Drop both feathers from the same height to the ground covered with
newspapers. Which reached the ground first? How did they fall?
Observe the effect of wind on both feathers – fan the dry and oiled feathers
gently over the back of your hand.
Dip more feathers in oil, and arrange the feathers to form a bird’s wing. What
happens to the feathers?
Answer the following questions:
1. From your activity which method was best at dispersing the oil? How could
you tell?
2. What real life dispersal methods did your activity model? How do these
methods work in real life? Check http://www.itopf.com/spillresponse/clean-up-and-response/dispersants/ for information (do not copy
and paste, explain in your own words).
3. Identify animals other than birds which can be affected by oil slicks.
Describe how they are affected.
4. From this investigation, how do you think oil slicks affect birds caught in the
slick? How are they actually affected in nature?
5. From your investigations what might be a procedure which can be used to
remove oil from bird’s feathers? Research the procedure(s) which is(are)
actually used to remove oil from bird’s feathers.
6. Identify at least 3 ways in which oil gets into the ocean
7. What was the cause of the Petrotrin oil spill in December 2013?
8. What methods were used to clean up the Petrotrin spill of Decmeber 2013 ?
9. What were the effects of the December 2013 Petrotrin oil spill on the
environment, and on humans?
10. How can oil spills be prevented?
Record your activity under the following headings:
Title – Appropriate title
Prediction - what you think will be the outcome of the activity.
Apparatus
Method - write in past tense how you carried out your activities. Use diagrams to
illustrate how the containers were organized.
Results - a labelled drawing of your results; please use tables for your results. Your
table must have a title, labelled as Table 1 etc, headings for each column and
appropriate unit.
Conclusion - what you learnt from each of your investigations investigation. Support
your conclusion with evidence.
Discussion - answer the questions
References - APA format.
SCIE3001 ECOSYSTEM ASSIGNMENT 2015
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THE UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Number each question, do not answer without numbering.
Activity 1.
Heading
Criteria:
Title
Written
1
Apparatus
Detailed
Partial
Diagram
2
1
2
Prediction
Method
Results/Data
Conclusion
Discussion
Written
1
All steps are present
Some steps are present
Few steps are present
Sequential order
Clear language
Clear diagrams
Correct grammar and spelling
Report in past tense
All pertinent data recorded
Large clear drawing
Labels in drawing
Data organized in a table
Table name
Table headings
Table units
Both investigations
Logical
Clear
Based on data collected
Detailed discussion
Total
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
Mark Awarded
mark
1
1
4
8
7
4
5
30
Total X 1/6 = 5% of Grade
Activity 2.
Heading
Criteria:
Title
Written
1
Apparatus
Detailed
Partial
Diagram
2
1
1
Prediction
Method
Written
All steps are present
Some steps are present
Few steps are present
Sequential order
Clear diagrams
Correct grammar and spelling
SCIE3001 ECOSYSTEM ASSIGNMENT 2015
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
Mark Awarded
mark
1
1
3
6
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THE UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Heading
Results/Data
Conclusion
Discussion
Criteria:
All pertinent data recorded
Large clear drawing
Labels in drawing
Data organized in a table
Table used
Both investigations
Logical
Clear
Based on data collected
Each questions answered
Total
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
Mark Awarded
mark
5
4
10
30
Total X 1/2 = 15% of Grade
SCIE3001 ECOSYSTEM ASSIGNMENT 2015
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