Activity

Site clean-up

In this web quest activity, groups of students use the web links provided to study the clean-up of sites contaminated by hazardous waste. They present their findings to the class.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • explain how hazardous contaminants can affect the environment and/or people’s health

  • understand what can be done to clean up contaminated sites and some of the limitations of such methods

  • understand some of the social effects of industrial processes

  • carry out web-based research and communicate their findings to others.

A digger removing sludge from pool, Rotowaro Carbonisation Plant

Cleaning out a sludge pool

A digger removing sludge from a pool at Rotowaro Carbonisation Plant. Many industrial sites have been contaminated by toxic chemicals. Some of these sites are being cleaned up to prevent hazardous chemicals getting into the environment.

Rights: Environment Waikato

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do

  • discussion questions

  • student handout.

Published:23 June 2008