1 | <p>Water quality is a critical concept for undergraduate students studying Earth Sciences, Biology, and Environmental Sciences. Many of these students will be asked to assess the impacts of a proposed anthropogenic activities on human water resources and/or ecosystems as part of their future careers. This module engages students in exploring factors contributing to the variability of nitrate in surface waters; one of the most common contaminants found in US rivers. Students will utilize real-time nitrate data from the US Geological Survey to statistically evaluate water quality impacts and to identify their causes.</p>
| 1 | <p>Water is one of the Earth’s most precious resources, and is involved in many biogeochemical processes. Human activities often lead to problems with water quality. Concentrations of dissolved substances in freshwater varies over time and space, and depends on surrounding anthropogenic factors. Water quality significantly impacts not only ecosystem health (plants, animals, microorganisms, and other species) but also humans who depend on freshwater resources for recreation, tourism, and our very basic needs of waste management and drinking water.</p>
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| | 3 | <p>This multi-part module that will be completed over 2 75-min class periods aims to help you understand the variability of concentrations of dissolved substances in stream water and identify some reasons for this variability. You will learn how to find publicly available water quality data. You will explore and evaluate water quality concerns with real-time data from regulatory entities, and learn about water quality ecosystem and human health implications.</p>
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| | 5 | <p>Learning Objectives: </p>
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| | 7 | <ul>
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| | 8 | <li>Understand the variability of concentrations of dissolved substances in stream water and identify some reasons for this variability.</li>
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| | 9 | <li>Find regulatory guidelines for nitrate concentrations in surface water, find real-time nitrate concentration data, and recognize when observed concentrations exceed guidelines</li>
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| | 10 | <li>Evaluate natural and anthropogenic factors that cause the concentrations of nitrate to change over time</li>
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| | 11 | <li>Define the meaning of “statistical probability,” and use this term as a regulatory tool to evaluate a potential drinking water resource</li>
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| | 12 | <li>Evaluate nitrate trends in urban vs. rural environments and formulate a statement relating water quality and land use. </li>
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| | 13 | </ul>
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