MODULE/UNIT : Teacher Guide: Dissolved Oxygen in an Estuary
Published: May 24, 2011, 12:00 am
Updated: May 24, 2011, 7:13 pm
Grade Level: High (9-12)
Time Required: 3 Hours
SUMMARY
In this activity developed by NOAA, students learn about dissolved oxygen (DO) and its effects on life, with a focus on the chemistry. First, they are introduced to, and analyze data gathered from, water quality sensors in Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), observing how DO and chlorophyll-a change from the surface to the bottom and considering the relationships between DO and temperature. Then, in the unique environment of Azevedo Pond in the Elkhorn Slough NERR, CA, they analyze DO data and speculate about how hydrodynamics, abiotic factors, and biological processes cause extreme fluctuations in DO in the pond.
GOALS
Students will be able to:
- Explain the relationships between dissolved oxygen and water depth, chlorophyll-a and water depth, and dissolved oxygen and temperature.
- Explain how these parameters interact during estuarine processes and in such phenomena as eutrophication, algal blooms, and supersaturationhypoxia fluctuations.
- Understand how photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition affect dissolved oxygen.
- Explain the role of these processes in daily or seasonal dissolved oxygen fluctuations in some estuaries.
- Explain how hypoxia and anoxia occur, using data as evidence, and explain the affect on estuarine animals.
CONTEXT FOR USE
Teaching Time: 3 class sessions (55 minutes) + homework
Organization of the Activity: This activity consists of 2 parts which help deepen understanding of estuarine systems:
- Dissolved Oxygen in Narragansett Bay
- What’s Happening in Azevedo Pond?
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS
Teacher Guide-Physical Science Module
Activity: Dissolved Oxygen in an Estuary
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Citation
Mallory Nomack (Lead Author);NOAA (Content Source); "Teacher Guide: Dissolved Oxygen in an Estuary". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth May 24, 2011; Last revised Date May 24, 2011; Retrieved May 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/resources/view/166449/>
The Author
Mallory Nomack is currently a student at Boston University pursuing a combined Bachelor's/Master's degree in Energy and Environmental Analysis in the Department of Geography and Environment. ... (Full Bio)
SUMMARY
In this activity developed by NOAA, students learn about dissolved oxygen (DO) and its effects on life, with a focus on the chemistry. First, they are introduced to, and analyze data gathered from, water quality sensors in Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), observing how DO and chlorophyll-a change from the surface to the bottom and considering the relationships between DO and temperature. Then, in the unique environment of Azevedo Pond in the Elkhorn Slough NERR, CA, they analyze DO data and speculate about how hydrodynamics, abiotic factors, and biological processes cause extreme fluctuations in DO in the pond.
GOALS
Students will be able to:
- Explain the relationships between dissolved oxygen and water depth, chlorophyll-a and water depth, and dissolved oxygen and temperature.
- Explain how these parameters interact during estuarine processes and in such phenomena as eutrophication, algal blooms, and supersaturationhypoxia fluctuations.
- Understand how photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition affect dissolved oxygen.
- Explain the role of these processes in daily or seasonal dissolved oxygen fluctuations in some estuaries.
- Explain how hypoxia and anoxia occur, using data as evidence, and explain the affect on estuarine animals.
CONTEXT FOR USE
Teaching Time: 3 class sessions (55 minutes) + homework
Organization of the Activity: This activity consists of 2 parts which help deepen understanding of estuarine systems:
- Dissolved Oxygen in Narragansett Bay
- What’s Happening in Azevedo Pond?
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS
Teacher Guide-Physical Science Module
Activity: Dissolved Oxygen in an Estuary
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this resource? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Resource
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