- The instructor should place five drops of the food dye solution
on the coffee filter. This solution represents pollution.
- After 20 minutes, have the students examine the coffee filter.
As a group, have the students observe, take notes, and make a
diagram of the movement of the pollution using the 'X' and 'Y'
markings as a reference.
- Leave the coffee filter overnight and examine it again the
next day.
- Have the students answer the following questions:
- Describe what happened to the "pollution."
- What color of pollutant traveled the farthest from the point
of contamination?
- Did any of the pollutants reach both imaginary wells?
- Did any of the pollutants travel uphill (against gravity)?
- What additional changes occurred when you compare the filter
paper to the diagram you made on the first day?
Discussion
Have the students examine other group's coffee filters. How are
they alike and how are they different?
- Are pollutant paths relatively easy to predict?
Answer: No.
- What are some factors that determine the direction and rates
of movement of pollutants?
Answer: Soil types, rock types, shape of rock formation,
and type of pollutants.
This activity was adapted from "Water Wisdom," published
by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
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