Leila Hatch is part of a team of scientists who are responsible for studying and monitoring the ecosystem at Stellwagen Bank. When making recommendations to NOAA, they must consider all biotic and abiotic factors. They know despite rules and regulations, pollutants enter the water of Stellwagen Bank from all directions—even from overhead! Combustion of fossil fuels, along with industrial processes, generate a variety of air pollutants. Despite policies and laws that regulate those sources, substances harmful to organisms are released into the atmosphere. From as far away as the Midwest, pollutants are carried by prevailing winds to these offshore waters. In addition to impacting local air quality, these pollutants can “rain down,” affecting distant ecosystems.
In this activity, you will construct a filter that can trap particle pollutants. You will observe this sample and analyze it for particulate pollution.