STUDENT ACTIVITY #2
HEAVY METALS: Not just music anymore
Student Activity
Comparative Analysis Paper
Students will explore possible contaminants of different dumpsites in their local area or county. Using the internet as the main source of reference, students will study different dumpsites in their county and search for different metal contaminants and the effect that they may have on the related area.
Students are to work in groups of two. Students are to choose at least two metals to study at their selected dumpsites. The time span of research should include research from 1940- present. Examples may include: chromium, cadmium, nitrogen compounds, chromium nitrate, chromium sulfates, copper sulfate, lead and lead compounds, and many more. In this comparative paper, the main questions that need to be answered include:
How do two metals relate to each other?
Is there a correlation between the decrease of a certain species in the designated area?
What are the main disease related deaths in that area?
Do two metals in one site double the effect of contamination?
What are the possible clean-up techniques being implemented?
Are these metals required in our daily diet? If so, what form, how much and why?
Which offices and bureaus within local governments, and organizations can be approached to help with environmental issues?
What are your individual legal rights when your property is being polluted by an outside source?
Some valuable websites include: