Transcript CONNECTICUT BROWNFIELDS - Greenwich Public Schools

GHS Science
CAPT Embedded Task Review
Brownfield Sites
Your Task
1. Formulate a question/problem statement
about a Brownfield site that can be answered
through a scientific experiment/investigation.
2. Design a scientific experiment/investigation
that answers your question/problem statement.
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What is a Brownfield Site?
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Piece of land that was once used for industrial
purposes and is now typically abandoned
because of suspected contamination.
• Name one Brownfield site in Greenwich?
• What has this property been used for that led to it being
identified as a Brownfield (contaminated) site?
What is a contaminant?
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A contaminant is a toxic chemical that can harm
humans and/or the environment.
Contaminants can pollute water, air, and/or soil.
Arsenic
Mercury
Benzene
Contaminants of Major Concern
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Asbestos – Cause respiratory problems
Benzene – Causes cancer
Lead and Copper - Neurotoxic
Mercury – May cause physical and mental
disorders. Greatly affects fish
populations.
Where do contaminants come from?
Contaminants
Possible source of contamination
metal finishing/plating shops,
manufacturing and foundries, coal burning
arsenic, cadmium chromium, lead, mercury
power plants
Heavy metals:
Gasoline/constituents of gasoline:
gasoline, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene,
xylene
gasoline stations, tank farms, pipelines
Petroleum Products
Leaking undergound storage tanks
Solvents:
dry cleaners, machine shops,
tetrachloroethlyene, trichloroethylene,
metal finishing/plating shops
III-trichloroethane
Why Redevelop Brownfield Sites?
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Discounted real estate cost
Valuable location
Reduce pressure on undeveloped land
Preserve historical or architecturally significant
buildings
Eliminate health and safety hazards
Improve community
Detecting Soil and Groundwater Contamination
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Usually a portable drilling
rig is brought to the site
A well is installed. Soil is
sampled as the well is
drilled.
Groundwater is sampled and
analyzed for the suspected
pollutants.
How to make a Brownfield site
usable again…
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Get rid of contaminants (ex. Excavation
techniques)
Stop the contaminants from spreading
Your Task
1. Formulate a question/problem statement
about a Brownfield site that can be answered
through a scientific experiment/investigation.
2. Design a scientific experiment/investigation
that answers your question/problem statement.
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First…
Generate three questions about brownfield sites that
can be answered through a scientific experiment.
• Be sure your question requires scientific research to
reach an answer.
• DON’T ASK "How much will it cost to remediate the
site?" because you can't answer that question with a lab
experiment.
1.
2.
3.
Possible Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Does the amount of __________ (name of
contaminant) effect the growth of plants.
Does ___________ (name of contaminant)
cause cancer in squirrels?
What is the best way to slow the spread of
contaminants?
Does the distance from the source of
contamination effect the amount of
contaminants?
Identify the Independent and Dependent
Variables for each…
Does the amount of __________ (name of
contaminant) effect the growth of plants.
Independent Variable: Amount of Contaminant
Dependent Variable: Height of plants
1.
2. Does ___________ (name of contaminant) cause
cancer in squirrels?
Independent Variable: Amount of Contaminant
Dependent Variable: Cancer in Squirrels
Identify the Independent and Dependent
Variables for each…
3. What is the best way to slow the spread of
contaminants?
Independent Variable: Type of Remediation
Dependent Variable: Amount of Contaminants at
certain distances from source.
4. Does the distance from the source of contamination
effect the amount of contaminants?
Independent Variable: Distance from Source
Dependent Variable: Amount of Contaminants.
Next…
DEVELOP A HYPOTHESIS
(REMEMBER: IF…THEN…B/C)
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Problem: Does ___________ (name of
contaminant) cause cancer in squirrels?
Hypothesis: If squirrels are exposed to
benzene then they will develop cancer
because benzene is a carcinogen.
With a Partner
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Make a problem statement about a Brownfield
Site.
Write a hypothesis.
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis.
(Write a procedure).
Sample CAPT Question
"A process (phytoremediation) has been
developed that uses plants to remove
contaminants from soils and
water. Suppose a contaminated area
(Brownfield site) in your home town is
being considered for this process. Identify
at least three questions that would
need to be answered before starting
such a program.“
Possible correct responses:
• What is/were the sources of contamination?
•What are/were the contaminants of concern?
•What is the extent of the affected property?
•How deep does the contamination extend into the sediment?
•What are the potential effects on the local ecosystem/food webs?
•What type of ecological restoration is being sought (recreational,
residential, etc.)?
•What is the timeframe needed for total restoration?
•What is the cost associated with this program compared to other
programs?
•What special resources (tools, people, etc.) are required?