Eutrophication: A Project Lab for Multi-section Lab Courses

 

Virginia Bennett

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2002, Volume 23

Abstract

This lab is designed to simulate the process of eutrophication over an eight to ten week period. Students use a water-soluble fertilizer (similar to Miracle Grow) to determine the effects of nutrient loads on both terrestrial and aquatic environments. By using three aquariums, Elodea, and radish plants, students can examine the ongoing process of eutrophication by taking weekly measurements of water quality and looking at plant growth. Students become “experts” on such equipment as dissolved oxygen meters, conductivity meters, pH meters, and spectrophotometers. The project culminates in a student and teacher evaluated poster session.

Keywords:  water pollution, nutrient loads

University of Chicago (2001)