Main l Classroom
Activity l Objectives l Standards
Addressed l Background l Methods/Teacher
Guide l Rubric l Resources
Identify
the problem: The purpose of this
laboratory experience is to investigate the difference between the presence of ions in
rain that falls directly on the ground to that rain which falls through tree branches. The information in the data table that is included
with this activity is actual research data that was collected from Waites Island, South
Carolina. It is important to note: there were several weeks of no rain before
samples were collected on June 18. Please
remember this when analyzing the data.
Gather
information: Research acid rain (its
causes and composition), ions and polyatomic ions, and all key terms provided with this
lab. Utilize the data table provided: RAINWATER ANALYSIS FOR PRESENCE OF IONS (ppm). The measurement of ions in ppm (parts per million)
found in each sample of rainwater is listed, along with the actual months or dates that
water samples were collected.
Organize
the data: Construct one graph for each
ion (or polyatomic ion) comparing the monthly samples of the direct rainfall with the
monthly samples of the throughfall rain. Then
construct one graph each ion (or polyatomic ion), comparing the event samples of the
direct rainfall with the event samples of the throughfall rain. You will make a total of ten graphs.
Form conclusions: On the pages following the data table you will
find the Comparison of Ions
Detected
section, write complete sentences to
explain your analysis of the graphed data.
Evaluation:
Submit your graphs
along with your Comparisons of Ions Detected explanations to the teacher for grading with
an unmarked, clean copy of the rubric attached to the top.
RAINWATER
ANALYSIS FOR PRESENCE OF IONS (ppm)
Direct Rainfall vs. Throughfall
Rain
Monthly and Event Samples
Direct
Rainfall – Monthly (ppm)
F-
Cl-
NO2-
NO3-
SO42-
March 0.05
1.75
0.01
0.19
1.16
April 0.04
4.37
0.01
0.21
1.78
May 0.05
1.65
0.01
0.22
1.51
June 0.06
1.69
0.01
0.22
1.51
July 0.06
1.68
0.01
0.12
0.93
Direct
Rainfall – Event (ppm)
F-
Cl-
NO2-
NO3-
SO42-
June
18
0.13
1.25
0.01
0.11
0.72
June 20 0.04
1.76
0.01
0.15
1.29
June 21
0.00
1.45
0.01
0.06
0.82
June 22 0.04
2.23
0.01
0.11
0.74
July 5
0.12
3.99
0.01
0.74
3.38
Throughfall Rain – Monthly (ppm)
F-
Cl-
NO2-
NO3-
SO42-
March
0.04
13.66 0.00
0.25
4.32
April
0.04
16.25
0.00
0.60
4.95
May
0.04
11.79
0.01
0.39
4.34
June
0.04
6.63
0.01
0.39
2.89
July
0.04
5.48
0.01
0.41
2.72
Throughfall
Rain – Event (ppm)
F-
Cl-
NO2-
NO3-
SO42-
June
18 0.05
6.95
0.01
0.75
2.76
June 20 0.04
2.59
0.01
0.10
1.46
June 21 0.04
3.38
0.01
0.06
1.36
June 22 0.00
1.57
0.01
0.04
0.66
July 5 0.00
1.55
0.01
0.04
0.66
Student
name ______________________
Comparison of Ions
Detected: Direct Rain vs. Throughfall
Fluoride
1. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of fluoride ions in the monthly samples
of direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain any evidence for the occurrence of
deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain
any evidence that leaching may have occurred.
2. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of fluoride ions in the event samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences than can be observed.
b. Explain any evidence for the occurrence of
deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain any evidence that leaching may have
occurred.
Chloride
1. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of chloride ions in the monthly samples
of direct and through fall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. State two explanations relating to data collection
and analysis for the increase in chloride ions in the April water sample.
c. Explain any evidence for the occurrence of
deposition in the throughfall samples.
d. Explain any evidence that leaching may have
occurred.
2. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of chloride ions in the event samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain
any evidence for the occurrence of deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain
any evidence that leaching may have occurred.
d. Consider wind patterns on the eastern coastline of
South Carolina in June and July (hurricane season). What
could be a possible reason for an increase in presence of chloride ions in the direct
rainfall event samples during these months?
Nitrite
1. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of nitrite ions in the monthly samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain any evidence for the occurrence of
deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain any evidence that leaching may have
occurred.
2. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of nitrite ions in the event samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain
any evidence for the occurrence of deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain
any evidence that leaching may have occurred.
Nitrate
1. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of nitrate ions in the monthly samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain any evidence for the occurrence of
deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain any evidence that leaching may have
occurred.
2. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of nitrate ions in the event samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain
any evidence for the occurrence of deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain
any evidence that leaching may have occurred.
Sulfate
1. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of sulfate ions in the monthly samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain any evidence for the occurrence of
deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain any evidence that leaching may have
occurred.
2. a. Looking
at the graph constructed for the presence of sulfate ions in the event samples of
direct and throughfall rain, explain any differences that can be observed.
b. Explain
any evidence for the occurrence of deposition in the throughfall samples.
c. Explain
any evidence that leaching may have occurred.
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