An Interdisciplinary, Project-Based Inquiry into the Chemistry and Geology of Alkaline Surface Lake Waters in the General Chemistry Laboratory

Autor/inn/en	Bopegedera, A. M. R. P.; Coughenour, Christopher L.
Titel	An Interdisciplinary, Project-Based Inquiry into the Chemistry and Geology of Alkaline Surface Lake Waters in the General Chemistry Laboratory
Quelle	In: Journal of Chemical Education, 98 (2021) 4, S.1352-1360 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Bopegedera, A. M. R. P.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9584
DOI	10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00315
Schlagwörter	Interdisciplinary Approach; Active Learning; Student Projects; Inquiry; Chemistry; Geology; Water; Science Laboratories; Laboratory Experiments; Scientific Concepts; Science Process Skills; Laboratory Training + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Fächerübergreifender Unterricht; Fächerverbindender Unterricht; Interdisziplinarität; Aktives Lernen; Schulprojekt; Chemie; Historische Geologie; Wasser; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Laborkunde
Abstract	A new project-based laboratory (PJBL) was developed for general chemistry students to tackle the steps involved in chemical water quality analysis using an accessible, real-world hydrologic system (the lakes of the Lower Grand Coulee, Washington). This PJBL was developed in a joint general chemistry and environmental geology course by a chemist-geologist teaching team, and it emphasized an interdisciplinary approach for a more complete understanding of the geochemistry of the lake system. Students worked through the project following industry protocols for sample collection in the field, chemical laboratory determination of dissolved solids, alkalinity, and dissolved metals, and interpretation of the results within the unique geological context of the lakes. Foundational concepts in solution chemistry, such as solubility product, pH, and alkalinity, were essential in the discussion of the lake water trends and broader geologic processes. In particular, students could relate chemical weathering of basaltic bedrock to the measured lake water constituents and could observe how the groundwater- and evaporation-controlled fluxes of water in the closed basin produced a downstream increase in alkalinity and dissolved load. Collectively, the steps involved in the project meet the essential criteria (as defined by other authors) for a complete chemistry PJBL. This PJBL can be readily adapted to a wide range of groundwater or surface water systems and can be framed in a more or less interdisciplinary context. Many students, without prompting and on confidential evaluations, rated this as the most valuable learning experience in the year-long academic coursework. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01