Salmon are dying in the Snohomish river and students are asked to investigate
why! After a demonstration of non-point source pollution, students will use
maps and data tables to determine what is causing the decrease in water quality at the hypothetical river site. *This lesson has been adapted from Healthy
Waters, Healthy People.
I can define non-point source pollution.
I can describe several things I, my family, and my community can do to reduce
water pollution.
This lesson complements Next Generation Science Standards listed below:
MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to a physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
This lessons complements the following science kits:
Environments | Ecosystems | Diversity of Life | Populations and Ecosystems
NO POINT TO THIS POLLUTION (MIDDLE SCHOOL)
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Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Point source pollution: ________from one place_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Phosphate (PO4)
Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Standard:
Standard:
Standard:
Less than 15 TUs
Less than 1 ppm
Lower than 17.5°C
Standard: Over 8 ppm
Your site:
Your site:
Your site:
Your site: Answer varries
Turbidity
Nonpoint source pollution:_________washed in from many places________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Read the information
on each of your team’s
test cards. Fill in the
chart on this worksheet and on the class
OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD
FACTORY FACTORY
NEW CONSTRUCTION
DOG PARK DOG
PARK
LOGGED AREA
Look at our class Water Quality board. Compare the data to the standards above. Circle the sites have pollution levels
that are unsafe for salmon.
FARM
NEW CONSTRUCTION
What can we do to reduce nonpoint source pollution? (Hint! Look at the test cards in your site kit!)
Answers will vary. Students may mention keeping storm drains clean of debris and other pollution, planting riparian buffers along stream
banks, and/or disposing of pet waste properly.
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NO POINT TO THIS POLLUTION (MIDDLE SCHOOL)