Bioaccumulation: An experimental approach


Published: Sep 16, 2024
Keywords:
bioaccumulation water pollution trophic level
Helen Mihalatou
Anna Fotiadou
Abstract

In this paper we present lab activities for teaching bioaccumulation, an environmental problem that needs immediate attention. We present activities that simulate the phenomenon, using inexpensive materials, to study hypothetical aquatic ecosystems and determine the concentration of the toxic pollutant at different trophic levels. The activities include a demonstration experiment and two lab projects to model the phenomenon, using the classic example of DDT. We describe the activities and their teaching objectives. The simulations and the procedures that students will undertake are expected to contribute in an illustrative way to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon and help clarify details related to the assumptions of the textbook. These activities support teaching and do not require special equipment.

Article Details
  • Section
  • POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Downloads
References
Αδαμαντιάδου ΣΜ., Γεωργάτου Μ., Γιαπιτζάκης Χ., Λάκκα Λ., Νοταράς Δ., Φλωρεντίν Ν. & Χατζηγεωργίου Γ. (2013). Βιολογία Γ΄ Λυκείου. ΙΤΥΕ Διόφαντος.
ΟΗΕ. (2015). Ατζέντα 2030 για τη Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη: 17 Στόχοι για τη Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη. Retrieved from: https://unric.org/el/17 Στόχοι Βιώσιμης Ανάπτυξης
eScience Labs. (2010). Lab Manual Introductory Biology (Version 4.4): Lab 10: Ecological Interactions. Retrieved from: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/39634505/lab-manual-escience-labs
Shuskey, T. (2012). Biomagnification Lab. Retrieved from: Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers https://blogs.cornell.edu/cibt/labs-activities/labs/biomagnification-lab-todd-shuskey/
Wells, E. (2009). Lab Manual for Environmental Science: Biomagnification Through a Food Chain. Retrieved from: https://www.fairmontstate.edu/esspassport/sites/default/files/u4/Biomagnification%20Activity%20Earth%20Science%20Version.docx