Topics Explored: Impacts of Human Activitiy on Aquatic Ecosystems, Solid Waste Disposal Methods, Pollution Management, Landfill Methane Gas Collection Systems, Recycling
This case study explores the aquatic and terrestrial environmental impacts of municipal, hazardous, and electronic solid waste, and discusses pollution management methods currently used along with proposed solutions for the future. Answer key included.
Case Study: Solid Waste (Teacher & Student Edition)
ZIP file containing 2 PDF files
(1 Teacher Edition and 1 Student Edition)Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
HS-ESS3-3. Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.AP® Environmental Science Learning Objectives:
8.2 Describe the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.
8.7 Describe the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on ecosystems.
8.9 Describe solid waste disposal methods.
8.10 Describe changes to current practices that could reduce the amount of generated waste and their associated benefits and drawbacks.AP® Environmental Science Practices:
Practice 1: Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
Practice 2: Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes.
Practice 3: Analyze sources of information about environmental issues.
Practice 4: Analyze research studies that test environmental principles.
Practice 5: Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, and graphs.
Practice 6: Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts.
Practice 7: Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.IB® Environmental Systems Learning Objectives:
5.3.1 Outline approaches to pollution management with respect to figure 5.
5.3.2 Discuss the human factors that affect the approaches to pollution management.
5.5.1 Outline the types of solid domestic waste.
5.5.2 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for solid domestic (municipal) waste.AP® is a registered trademark registered by the College Board®. IB® is a trademark registered by the International Baccalaureate Organization®. This work/product/service has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the College Board® or the International Baccalaureate Organization®.