Science Project – More About Pollution – Polluting A Pond Or Lake

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When you go camping you may think it is fine to wash your clothes and dishes in a pond or lake, but is it the case? Are you polluting it or not? Detergent is supposed to clean, so what does it do to a pond or a lake? For all the info on how to do a good science project as well as examples of projects you can do in 24 hours or less go to: 24 Hour Science projects.

So, to start this science project, formulate your hypothesis. Is the detergent in the lake or pond polluting the water in the pond? Will it have any negative effect on the life on and inside the pond?

What you need for this Science Project:

• A plastic bag
• A large bowl of water
• Liquid detergent
• Wax paper
• Fastener or staples
• A camera for your photos
  

How to do this Science Project:

1. Stuff the plastic bag with the wax paper.
2. Close the bag with the fastener or the staples
3. For fun draw a duck on it to represent one of the species on the lake or pond
4. Let your “duck” float on the water in the bowl
5. Now you add a little detergent to the bowl of water
6. What happens?
7. Do you know why it happens?
8. What is the reason a duck stays afloat and dry in the water?
9. What changed when you added the detergent to the water?
10. So, do you think it is a good idea to wash dishes and clothes in a pond or lake?
    

Explanation:

Just as the oil on a ducks feathers the plastic and wax paper is water repellent, which means the water does not stick to it.
The detergent though, enables the water to stick to greasy materials. This then allows the water to cling to your plastic “duck” and a real ducks feathers making it impossible for the duck to stay dry and afloat.