Big problems of a small riverBig problems of a small riverAuthors: Samodurova Kristina,

Lunyova Kristina, form 7a

Bondary secondary school

Project

PurposePurpose

• to clean up ecological problems of the river Bolshoi Lomovis and try to give a decision;

• use maps to trace a local river, its tributaries, and its destination;

• locate factories and other potential pollution sources;

• generate research questions and select study sites by using a map.

HypothesisHypothesis

If we don’t help our river it can die.

IntroductionIntroduction

A river is like taking the pulse of a continent. How healthy our waterways are can tell us much about the way we live. However, just as our bodies are very complex and difficult to understand, so are our rivers. We try only to scratch the surface of river Bolshoi Lomovis ecology. We try to identify the source of our water supply and, if possible, to trans this source back to its original. In addition to the human connection, we will become aware of possible industrial or agricultural sources of water pollution. In this activity we will learn about our watershed..

MaterialsMaterials• information about factories ,farms and other

potential pollution sites;

• highlighters (two different colours per team);

• ingredients for the Dirty Water Clean Up Challenge: small cups (half with holes in them), sand ,cotton ,charcoal chips.

ProceduresProcedures Having traced water supply back to its origin, have teams identify and list the following:

•industries or rural farmlands located on the water supply route. There are some farm on the banks of the river. They have a very old system of water purification;

•find out which villages are situated on the banks of the river.

•to report on their discussion to the class.

Course of researchCourse of research

We find out that 8 villages are situated on the banks. The villagers often throw their rubbish near the river. It becomes dirty and small. The pig-farm complex near Pribytki is responsible for polluting the river.We tested our river and are sure rivers should be monitored four times per year, corresponding to each season to compare river-quality data for different seasons.Water in our river is unfit to drink. But some years ago it was clean.

Survey Survey

100% 100%

70%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Should we save our river?

Can you help it? Are you responsible for river polluting?

ConclusionConclusion

Our river is very small and very dirty. But some years ago it was big and full of fish. What has happened? We don't take care of it and it is dying, but we must save Bolshoi Lomovis for our future children.

Ways of decisionWays of decision

1.Make strict regulations, more frequent testing, and daily checks to make sure water can flow freely within the system to prevent overflow.

2.Provide each homeowner with information about the status of street runoff and level of ground water in his or her area on a regular basis.

3.Contact the metro-area government to encourage replacement of the inadequate sewer system.

4. Research the pollution levels in the river.

5. Veto all other projects that may harm the environment.

Information resourcesInformation resources

• ИЯШ №5 2002, стр. 11• ИЯШ №4 2002, стр. 3• Фото из личного архива• http://www.tambovwolf.ru/bondariregion/im

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