Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Appendix C: Labs
Common Labs
In this section are some of the common labs used on the AP Environmental Science exam. Keep in mind that
there are no specific labs for the exam and that labs may vary from year to year. Review the labs and consider
the basic principles behind each lab. The labs will help to strengthen your knowledge and understanding of the
AP Environmental Science curriculum.
Acid Deposition
Acid deposition, also known as acid rain, is commonly caused by sulfur and nitrogen compounds emitted by
burning fossil fuels. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide each react with water to form their corresponding
acid, reducing soil and groundwater pH. The basic setup for this lab uses a combustion chamber to collect the
gases from burning fossil fuel and to test the pH of the gas. The net result is a lower pH.
Air Quality
The following tests are commonly used in lab settings to evaluate air quality:
•
Particulates:
There are several ways to collect particulates from the air, including attaching a white sock
to the tailpipe of an older car or diesel vehicle. Another method of trapping particulates in the air is to
hang a sticky paper outside and collect it after a few days. In both cases, observe the inside of the sock
or the sticky paper with a magnifying glass or microscope to view the particulate material. The particu-
late may include pollen, dust, soot, or other large particles.
•
Ozone:
In this lab, you can use a commercial ozone detector, an ecobadge, or a homemade potassium
iodine gel to collect data on ground-level ozone (troposphere ozone). The ecobadge or KI gel will be-
come more intensely colored as the concentration of ozone increases.
•
Carbon dioxide:
A commercial sampler is needed to test car exhaust, burning charcoal or other biomass,
or another potential source of carbon dioxide.
Biodiesel from Vegetable Oil
In this lab, students learn to convert vegetable oil into biodiesel that can be used as an alternative fuel in cars
and generators. Used or new oil can be used, with the procedure varying only slightly. At the end of the pro-
cedure, the students will have created diesel fuel, called "biodiesel" because the source is vegetable—from bio-
mass.
Biodiversity of Invertebrates (Shannon-Wiener Diversity
Index)
This lab determines the biodiversity of insects in a given area. A trap is set up and insects are captured. The in-
sects are counted and the species are identified; calculations are made based on the total number of species and
the total of each species. The Shannon-Wiener Index is then calculated most commonly by the equation:
H
=
