CASE STUDY

TEACHER: Eyleen Samanta Torres Robayo SUBJECT: Natural Science

NAME: ____________________________________ COURSE: ___________

Read carefully the following case, the idea is that with the knowledge that you have about
biogeochemical cycles and also using investigative resource like internet or books, you
solve the case scientifically.

CASE:

Andrew wants to do an experiment to observe the effect that has the use of some products
in the ecosystems, to understand which is the main factor of algae bloom in the lake of his
community. For that reason, in the lab Andrew take three 1 L jars, he rinsed thoroughly to
avoid any mistakes in the experiment.

After this he fill each jar about three-four full with clean water, then to each jar add a 10-
mL sample of pond wáter that contains algae and stirred it. Then he labeled the jars A
through C.

Jar A Jar B Jar C

To each jar he added the following:

 To Jar A, add 15 mg of detergent (Detergents contain phospahtes)

 To Jar B, add 15 mg of lawn fertilizer. (Fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphates)
 To Jar C, he didn’t add anything.

Then he covered each jar with plastic wrap so that dirt will not settle into the jar, but allow
for some air to enter the jar. Also, he mark the water level with a glass marker; put all the
jars in a place well-lighted, but no in a direct sunlight.

He observed the jars each day for about two weeks, as wáter evaporates from the jars, he
added distilled wáter to bring the wáter back up to its original level.
Based on this experiment, answer the following questions (argue your answer very well, if
you use Internet resources you must put he reference):

1. Which is the porpouse of the Jar C?

2. In which jar the algae growth will be the greatest? The least? Explain the reason
3. Which would be the main factor in the pollution of the lake of Andrew’s
community?
4. What are the consequences of this exaggerated growth of algae in the lake?
5. What would be the solution for that problematic?

SOME RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP YOU TO START GUIDING YOUR INVESTIGATION.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92TFJTtuq6k
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAOihTRys74
 https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg118
 https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw3-22.pdf