Eutrophication

Iowa has a lot of nonpoint source pollution that contributes to killing mass amounts of marine life in many different bodies of water.

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• How do nutrients in Iowa influence local and national water quality? 
• How does a watershed play a role in water pollution?
• Are nutrients in an ecosystem bad?
• What solutions do you think will be the most effective at lowering our nutrient levels, while still maintaining food production demand?

Classroom Suggestions

• First, the class will need to fully understand the problem. 
  • An excessive amount of nutrients is causing water quality issues in Iowa and downriver from Iowa.
  • This is a nonpoint source of pollution, primarily coming from agriculture, but not exclusively.
• Next, have the students learn more science behind the problem.
  • The nitrogen cycle 
  • The importance of nutrients in an ecosystem
  • Eutrophication (an excess of nutrients)
• Finally, have students learn strategies for lowering nutrient levels.
  • Wetlands
  • Buffer Strips
  • Bioreactor
  • Redesign watershed.
  • Sediment ponds.
  • etc.

Related Resources

• Why water quality matters in Iowa: A news report on issues with Iowa’s high nitrate problems.
• Iowa must clean up its mess in the Gulf. Current funding, voluntary efforts aren’t enough: Gives an overview of the nutrient problem, why it’s a problem and ends with funding issues/solutions.
• Nutrients and Eutrophication: This gives a brief overview of each aspect of eutrophication.
• How Does Eutrophication Work? Causes, Process and Examples: This explains eutrophication in a more kid friendly way.