Teaching Estuarine Chemical Processes by Laboratory Simulation

T. Ortega , J. M. Forja and A. Gómez-Parra
Departamento de Química Física, Universidad de Cádiz Facultad de Ciencias, Campus Río San Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (6), p 771
DOI: 10.1021/ed078p771
Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2001

Abstract

In this paper, we describe an experimental device for the dynamic mixing of waters of different salinity, which enables us to simulate the longitudinal profile of salinity and the flow times that would be presented by a real estuary in a steady state. We have tested the device and used it in practical teaching in the Faculty of Marine Science of Cádiz University, Spain. In our experience this is a very useful procedure for showing the behavior of many chemical substances along an estuary. In the case of nonconserved compounds, the scale of gains or losses of the substance in the dissolved phase can be calculated. We describe some applications of the simulator in the study of the reactivity of nutrients and the major elements of seawater. We also discuss its utility as an instrument for research on littoral ecosystems subject to high gradients of salinity.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Environmental Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus
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History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

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