Table of Contents

Introduction: A.P. Environmental Science Lab Manual...............................................1

Lab #1 Ecosystem Ecology.......................................................................................2

Lab #2 Earth Science: Plate Tectonics, Volcanism; Earthquakes..............................11

Lab #3 Earth Science: Soil Structure and the Rock Cycle........................................18

Lab #4 Earth Science: Geotechnical........................................................................25

Lab #5 Population Ecology: Environmental Factors and Organism Distribution.........33

Lab #6 Population Ecology –  Calculating Population Data......................................36

Lab #7 Population Ecology –  Sampling Techniques................................................41

Lab #8 Population Ecology –  Human Demographics...............................................46

Lab #9 Energy –  Calculating Consumption.............................................................55

Lab #10 Pollution –  Atmospheric...........................................................................67

Lab #11 Toxicology................................................................................................76

Lab#12 Aquatic Ecology........................................................................................80

Lab #13 Environmental Engineering:  Potable and Wastewater Treatment.................87

Lab #14 Environmental Engineering:  Solid Wastes..................................................95

Lab #15 Greenhouse Effect...................................................................................101

Lab #16 Acid Deposition......................................................................................110

Lab #17 Radiation and Growth Factor..................................................................115

Lab #18 Designing a Professional Environmental Impact Study..............................118

Lab #4 Earth Science – Geotechnical Science

Time Frame:
2-3 class periods that run 45 minutes each.

Group Size:
Small Groups

Materials:

• shovel or post hole digger
• spray bottle with water
• soil test kit (available at garden shops and other sources for usually under $20.00)
• 100’ measuring tape
• clip board

Objectives - Students will be able to:

a)     Determine the slope in an ecosystem.  This may be done in several ways.  Many geotechnical (soil) engineers use a “dumpy” level or other high tech instruments to find the slope.

b)      Know the horizons in a soil profile.

c)      Describe which kinds of soils hold water.

d)     Understand the chemical components of soil.

e)      Be able to cite alternative uses of land that create an economical, ecological, uncontaminated and sustainable environment.

Background:

Primarily soil texture and organic matter control water-holding capacity.  Soils with smaller particles (silt and clay) have a larger surface area than those with larger sand particles.  A large surface area allows a soil to hold more water.  In other words, a soil with a high percentage of silt and clay particles (which describes fine soil) has a higher water-holding capacity.  The table on the following page illustrates water-holding-capacity differences as influenced by texture.  Organic matter percentage also influences water-holding capacity.  As the percentage increases, the water holding capacity increases because of the affinity organic matter has for water.

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flower parts, leaves etc.  Particulate matter is usually dark.

1. Take 3 microscope slides and using a Q-tip put a small amount of Vaseline on each slide.

2. Select three different areas on your school campus, that will not be disturbed, and place the Vaseline coated slide, in an upright position, where there is enough air flow to come in contact with the slide.

Note: Test for the amount of particulates in the air in various places and conditions (e.g., beside a busy road, in a side street, on an unsealed road and on windy and still days).

3. After 24-48 hours, collect your slides for the designated locations.

4. Report your findings.  Include the number, size, shape, and color particles of the particles.

Slide 1

     Number of particles: ______________________________________________

     Size of particles: _________________________________________________

     Shape of particles: _______________________________________________

     Color of particles: ________________________________________________

Slide 2

     Number of particles: ______________________________________________

     Size of particles: _________________________________________________

     Shape of particles: _______________________________________________

     Color of particles: ________________________________________________

Slide 3

     Number of particles: ______________________________________________

     Size of particles: _________________________________________________

     Shape of particles: _______________________________________________

     Color of particles: ________________________________________________

5. Method 2 for collecting particulate matter, making a direct sampler:

a.       Bore a 1-inch diameter hole through the bottom of each cup.  Make sure that the holes are aligned.  This will produce a spot with an area of approximately 5 square centimeters.

b.       Next, cut a ring of cardboard with a centered, 1-inch diameter hole.  This will act as filler.  Invert one cup, and put it on top of the hole.

c.       Select a suitable mesh screen to support the filter, and cut it into a disk that will fit into the bottom of a cup.  Put it on top of the cardboard filler.

d.       Put the second cup on top of the first one.

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Coliform Testing Using a Membrane Filter Technique

Autoclave

1. Sample bottles, dilution water, culture media and glassware may be sterilized by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes.  The autoclaving process uses steam for pressure (15 psi) for sterilization.  Care should be taken that the pressure has returned to zero prior to opening the autoclave to prevent injuries or loss of sterilized liquids.  The caps or stoppers of glassware sterilized in an autoclave or pressure cooker should be partially loosened to prevent pressure buildup inside the containers.

2. Put your water sample inside an Erlynmeyer Flask with a side arm, the vacuum pump will be attached to the side arm. The amount of your water sample depends on if you are testing water or sewage.  A 1 mL sample of sewage is used, and a 100 mL sample of water is used.   A filtering apparatus is placed on top of the flask with micron filtering paper inside of the base of the filtering apparatus.  Use tweezers when doing this in order to prevent contamination. 

3. Place the filter paper rough side up on the inside of the base of the filtering apparatus.  The base is then connected to the stopper; finally place the stopper inside the mouth of the flask, making sure it is sealed securely.  The top of the filtering apparatus is now placed on top of the base.  This apparatus is magnetically sealed together. 

4. When the entire filtering apparatus is connected to the top of the Erlynmeyer Flask, and the vacuum pump is connected to the flask by the side arm, pour your water sample through the filtering apparatus into the flask.  Turn on the vacuum pump, (or start hand pumping) creating a vacuum inside of the flask.  Continue the vacuum process until all of the water is gone from the flask.   When this is complete, take a pair of tweezers and remove the filter paper from the base of the filtering apparatus.  The coliforms should be collected on the micron filter paper.  Place the filter paper inside of a petri dish that has dried agar in it. 
 

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