Download Fieldtrip Post Lab Assignment

Biology 213
Lab 3: Waste Water Treatment Plant
Tour
Objectives:
o Describe the role of prokaryotes in waste water
treatment
o Explore the role of waste water treatment in
nutrient cycling and eutrophication
o Think critically about the environmental
impacts of waste water
General Introduction:
We’ll tour the West Point Waste Water
treatment center to both see some practical
applications of prokaryotic biology, as well as begin to
explore some larger, ecological issues.
The West Point Treatment Plant is the largest
facility in King county, treating 105 million gallons of
sewage per day. If you live in Seattle or north King
county, every flush of your toilet ends up here!
Post-Lab Instructions:
For this week’s post-lab, answer the following
three questions. Your post-lab is due one week from
the date of your tour.
1.
What role do bacteria play in the treatment of
waste water?
2. What are the most significant challenges in
effectively treating wastewater?
3. What was the most surprising thing you learned
on your tour?