Pollution indicators

L.O: To be able to recognise the indicators of environmental changes like pollution

What environmental conditions could you measure and how?

What are the latest air pollution levels in Southampton?http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/latest/currentlevels

Fire in the docks 17/4/12. What does the air pollution data show?

• Pollution can be measured directly with oxygen meters, carbon dioxide in ice, temp probes etc.

• Find the hottest area outside of school using the temperature probes. Is it polluted?

• Or some living organisms can be used as indicators of pollution.

Pond pH of water No of species of insect larvae

No of species of plants

1 4.4 4 8

2 4.8 5 11

3 5.7 9 16

4 6.6 19 23

5 8.1 14 21

1. Describe the relationship between the number of species of plants and the acidity of water in a pond.

2. Give two explanations for the relationship between number of species of insect larvae and water acidity

3. How could you improve test to see if your ideas are correct?

4. What else in pond water could affect the numbers of insects and plants?

Pollution Indicators

In dirty water leeches and midges will survive

In average water more species (like the dragonfly and cranefly) will survive

In clean water a lot more species (like the mayfly and caddisfly) will survive

The quality of water can be monitored by looking at the species of insect in the water:

• What has happened to the water in the river Thames over time?

• Read the article

Eutrophication

• Excess nitrates make their way into rivers and lakes causing rapid growth of some plants and algae

• Some plants and algae then start dying due increased competition for light

• Micro-organisms feed on the dead plant (which respire using up lots of oxygen)

• A lack of oxygen in the water can be very bad news for larger organisms such as fish

There are many different species of lichen. Some tolerate air pollution and some don’t

Lichens in very clean air

Lichens in clean air

Lichens in slightly dirty air

Lichens can be used as air pollution indicators:

Lets survey the lichens around school

What would you advise the public to look out for if they thought they were living in a polluted area?