Hysteria Over Pfiesteria
www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/nps_edu/pdf/hysteria.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)


In this EPA online activity, students are guided through an investigation of the Pfiesteria outbreaks through a variety of approaches employing writing, math, drawing, summarizing and deductive skills. Using web links within this page, students study the spatial and temporal distribution of Pfiesteria outbreaks in an effort to explore reasons for the connection between nonpoint source nutrient pollution and the occurrence of Pfiesteria outbreaks, and look at real-time data collection efforts to make the connection between the science they read about and actual data interpretation from science labs studying Pfiesteria in North Carolina's rivers. The activity consists of four sections: Draw Your Own Pfiesteria, Locating Pfiesteria, File Your Own Pfiesteria Kill Column, and Nutrients in the Water. A glossary of key terms is included on the site. A PDF version features reproducible student activity sheets.


Subject: Biology:Ecology:Metabolism, Symbiotic Relations:Mutualism, Biology:Ecology:Habitats:Marine, Water Column, Biology:Microbiology:Microbiology and Health, Biology:Microbiology, Diversity
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)
Ocean Environments: Coastal and Estuarine
Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:EcologyKeywords: algae, bloom, phytoplankton, eutrophication, dinoflagellates, harmful algal bloom, HAB