CHED 1494 |
| The increase of environmental awareness among students has driven chemistry teachers to become more green in the classroom. One way to enhance the student learning experience is to take students out of the classroom and let them see chemistry in action. Although few communities have nearby chemical plants, almost all cities have municipal waster water treatment plants (WWTP). Many students will have an initial aversion to attending a field trip to such a facility, but a positive attitude and the great learning potential will go a long way to convincing students of the value of the visit. Several large scale chemical processes occur during the treatment of waste water. Some facilities use molecular sieves to utilize 95% oxygen in their bioreactors. Most WWTPs use chlorine to destroy the bacteria in the biological treatment step. To neutralize the chlorine, sulfur dioxide is added. We tested the water after the addition of chlorine and then after the addition of the sulfur dioxide. The students learned why pH monitoring is critical before the release of the waste water back into the environment. |
|
Environmental Chemistry Education
1:30 PM-3:50 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Magnolia, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |