Connecticut Brownfield Sites

1. Connecticut Brownfield Sites CAPT- Science, Technology, & Society Curriculum Embedded Performance Task Strand III: Global Interdependence

2. Background • More than 290 sites in Connecticut have been identified as “Brownfield Sites.” • These are parcels of property once used for industrial, commercial or manufacturing and are now typically abandoned due to suspected contamination. • Often these unused parcels adversely affect the quality of living in the area and may pose potential health risks to local citizens. • Financial assistance is available from the state and federal governments to assess and remediate these sites.

3. Task-ID a Brownfield Site… • Find a nearby CT Brownfield site by clicking on the Brownfield Inventory link found at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s website: • http://dep.state.ct.us/wst/remediation/brownfields/brownfields.htm (main page) • http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/site_clean_up/brownfields/brownfieldsinventory.pdf (direct to inventory) • What has the property been used for that led it to being identified as a Brownfield site? • Use a search engine such as Google to research one of the potential contaminants at the site. • Some major contaminants & their possible sources are given on the next slide to help you.

5. Task-Ask a ? & Design an Investigation • Formulate an experimental question about a Brownfield site that may be answered through a scientific investigation. • Design an investigation that would enable you to answer your question. • Formulate a general procedure for exploring the effect the contamination may have on the site or nearby property. • Do not worry about the specific steps needed to isolate the contaminant or specific techniques used to measure the contaminant’s effect on the environment. • Focus on writing a general plan for your investigation including the independent and dependent variables to be studied, general procedures you will follow and the data you will collect. Include a control group if appropriate.

6. Possible Investigation Ideas • Design an investigation that focuses on one specific chemical &: • its contamination plume at the site. • You will want to consider: • where the sampling will occur (water, soil, air) • the number of test sites • distances from the source • etc. • its influence on one species in the area. • You will want to consider: • which plant or animal you want to study • what type of effect you are looking for in that plant or animal (Ex. concentration of contaminant in relation to height, weight, etc.) • etc.

7. Example • What has the property been used for that led it to being identified as a Brownfield site? • What are some possible major contaminants at this site?

8. Example • What could we ask as our experimental question? (What problem do we want to investigate?) • Formulate a hypothesis… (Make an educated “guess” as to what the outcome may be.) • Use this format: If…, then… because.

9. Example • What is your independent variable? • Identify your dependent variable? • What is your control? (your basis for comparison) • What factors are you keeping constant? (What are you keeping the same throughout your experiment?)

10. Example • What general procedures you would follow to conduct your investigation? (list steps) • Now it’s your turn…

11. Grading • Total = 20 points • Experimental Question = 4 points • Hypothesis = 4 pts • Identify your Independent Variable = 2 points • Identify your Dependent Variable = 2 points • Identify your Control & Constants = 2 points • General Procedures for conducting your investigation = 6 points

12. Learn More • Article: “The Mad Hatter’s Legacy”