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Activity

Nutrient impact experiment

In this activity, plastic bottles are used to simulate the link between land and sea. Students investigate some of the potential impacts increased nutrient use on land can have on the marine environment.

By the end of this activity, students should:

  • understand some of the possible impacts on the marine ecosystem of agricultural nutrient run-off and leaching

  • discuss human impacts on life in the sea and understand that land and coastal ecosystems are not discrete

  • understand what is meant by the term ‘fair testing’.

Photos showing how to run the nutrient impact experiment.

Nutrient impact experiment

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Photos showing how to run the nutrient impact experiment.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Referencing Hub media

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do

  • extension ideas

  • discussion questions

  • experiment photos.

Nutrient impact experiment

WORD•925.34 KB

Activity ideas

Use the nutrient experiment to simulate the link between land and sea and discover more about the potential impacts of increased nuturient use on land.

The activity Water run-off models how rain can affect soil erosion and ground stability.

Glossary

Published: 12 October 2009
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