IB Group 4 Project

IB Group 4 Project

By: Sandra Chalkley

Background

Expected Flaura/Flora

Sagittaria Arrowhead

Chara Muskgrass

Myriophyllum Water Milfuil

Nuphar Spatter Dock

Sparganium Burreed

Retention Ponds

Non-Native

Native Plants

Torpedo Grass

Fragrant Water Lily

Cattail

Jointed Spikerush

Yellow Canna

Pickerel Weed

Water Lettuce

Zizania Wild Rice

Water Hyacinth

Birds

Common Moorhen

Anhinga

White Ibis

• Used to manage stormwater runoff
• Prevent flooding and downstream erosion
• Improve water quality in adjacent rivers
• Replace the natural absorbtion process

Design Features

• Storm water channeled to a retention basin through a system of storm drains
• Underground drain channels
• Landscaped with various grasses and plants for stability and aesthetic purposes

[brownstown-mi.org/public_detention_basins.html]

Introduction

Role of Aeration

The Group 4 project is intended to be an interdisciplinary activity that all Diploma bound IB students are to participate in. The intention is to have the 3 different scientific areas, physics, biology, and chemistry, interact together to analyze a common topic or question. The project is made out to be a collaborative effort by all students to focus on the processes rather than the ending product(s).

The Group 4 Project is "a scientific or technological topic, allowing for concepts and perceptions from across the disciplines to be shared in line with aim 10 - that is, to "develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of knowledge." The project can be practically or theoretically based."

• Prevent critical low oxygen levels from occurring
• Create and sustain an improved environment for fish production
• Keep soil from becoming infertile after human interaction
• Provide suitable environments for hundreds of species within an area of settlement

Informal

-Google Images for all the the pictures from various sites. Credit to owners.

-Information about retention ponds and expected flora and fauna gathered from Father and Uncle whom work as florida landscapers or had experience in the area.

-Data pulled from each science class and individual groups

-Other information provided from teacher, Dr. Meade

Citations

The Topic

Project Stages

There are 3 stages to the 10 hour Project: Planning, action and evaluation

• The purpose of the use of retention ponds in South Florida.
• Different levels of pH and oxygen from the 3 collection sites of one retention pond.
• A blind study of the common flora and fauna of the examined retention pond.
• The role of aeration in retention ponds.

[brownstown-mi.org/public_detention_basins.html]

• Planning involves all the students discussing the central topic or question to be investigated.
• Action, taking at least 6 hours, is carried out over several days. This is where the students investigate their topic and conduct their research and record their findings.
• Evaluation, a 2 hour process, is where the students share their findings and other information with one another. At the end, the student then has a presentation to be evaluated.

'Aims' of this Project

• Aim 7: "Develop and apply 21st century communication skills in the study of science."
• Aim 8: "Become critically aware, as global citizens, of the ethical implications of using science and technology."
• Aim 10: "Develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of knowledge.

The Biology

The biology aspect of this project included a blind study of expected flora/fauna from a local south florida retention pond. The analyzation included microscopes and the samples which were recorded in the provided data. The study took several class periods to fully complete and to record all the data achieved. There were some jars with minimal life and others crawling with worms and fish visible to the eye.

Conclusion

The Sampling Site

The aeration fountain is located ~30’ from the edge of the retention pond (Collection site 2 [Jars 4,5,6 ]and 20' from the “middle" [Jars 1,2,3]collection site 2)

The aeration fountain is located ~340’ from the edge of the retention pond) collection site 1 [Jars 10,11,12]and 30’ from the "middle" [Jars 7,8,9] collection site 1)

The lake is ~825’ long.

Distances are based on google map measurement tools.

The retention pond was 1 feet above normal three days before testing as the result of major thunderstorms. It had been lowered by the water management district to 1/2 foot below normal the day before testing.

In concluding the Group 4 Project, all the data has been put together in comparison with the different sciences. The topic was analyzed and evaluated closely and used to advance thinking in the sciences. Aims 7,8 and 10 were achieved through the collaboration of the students and the collective data. As a result, the role of aeration in South Florida retention ponds are highly important to keep the environment suitable and sustainable. The pH and oxygen levels are regularly

attended by the city/state where

the retention pond is located.

Not only are they aesthetic,

but important to the

environment and the city.

Materials/Procedures

• 12 1 quart Ball Mason jars
• 3 Jars per location in the above map

Wet Lab

• Slides
• Coverslips
• Needle
• Compound Microscope
• Eye Dropper
• Tweezer
• Mason Jar Samples

• Cord with slip knot placed around the neck of the jar. Cap removed. Bottle tossed to the distance specified in chart. If jar went below the surface it was retrieved and immediately capped, if not it was emptied and re-thrown.
• Samples taken at the edge of the pond were placed under water and dragged slightly (a short distance) along the edge, withdrawn and the top placed immediately.
• The jars were numbered and recorded by the instructor. The jars were distributed, two for Biology surveys and one for chemistry survey per area.
• Students then analyzed the samples by means of subject area (Chemistry tested pH and dissolved oxygen, Biology analyzed life forms and purpose).
• Results were gathered and put together to form final data.

Example Pictures

Euglena

Spirogyra

Phacus

Vorticella

Pandorina Algae

Blue Ribbon Algae

Paramecium

Red Algae

The Chemistry

By studying and experimenting with the samples from the retention pond, the chemistry students produced data to accommodate answering the role of aeration in the environment according to pH and dissolved oxygen levels within 4 water samples.

Trial 2

Trial 1

pH, Conditions, Volume

Jar 9

Jar 3

Trial 3

Jar 12