1. GHS Science CAPT Embedded Task Review
Brownfield Sites

2. Your Task Formulate a question/problem statement
about a Brownfield site that can be answered
through a scientific experiment/investigation.
Design a scientific experiment/investigation
that answers your question/problem statement. 2

3. What is a Brownfield Site?
Piece of land that was once used for industrial purposes and is now typically abandoned because of suspected contamination.
Name one Brownfield site in Greenwich?
What has this property been used for that led to it being
identified as a Brownfield (contaminated) site?

4. What is a contaminant?
A contaminant is a toxic chemical that can harm humans and/or the environment.
Contaminants can pollute water, air, and/or soil.
Arsenic
Mercury
Benzene

5. Contaminants of Major Concern
Asbestos – Cause respiratory problems
Benzene – Causes cancer
Lead and Copper - Neurotoxic
Mercury – May cause physical and mental disorders. Greatly affects fish populations.

6. Where do contaminants come from?
Possible source of contamination
Heavy metals:
arsenic, cadmium chromium, lead, mercury
metal finishing/plating shops, manufacturing and foundries, coal burning power plants
Gasoline/constituents of gasoline:
gasoline, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene
gasoline stations, tank farms, pipelines
Petroleum Products
Leaking undergound storage tanks
Solvents:
tetrachloroethlyene, trichloroethylene,
III-trichloroethane
dry cleaners, machine shops,
metal finishing/plating shops

7. Why Redevelop Brownfield Sites?
Discounted real estate cost
Valuable location
Reduce pressure on undeveloped land
Preserve historical or architecturally significant buildings
Eliminate health and safety hazards
Improve community

8. Detecting Soil and Groundwater Contamination
Usually a portable drilling rig is brought to the site
A well is installed. Soil is sampled as the well is drilled.
Groundwater is sampled and analyzed for the suspected pollutants.

9. How to make a Brownfield site usable again…
Get rid of contaminants (ex. Excavation techniques)
Stop the contaminants from spreading

10. Your Task Formulate a question/problem statement
about a Brownfield site that can be answered
through a scientific experiment/investigation.
Design a scientific experiment/investigation
that answers your question/problem statement. 10

11. First…
Generate three questions about brownfield sites that can be answered through a scientific experiment.
Be sure your question requires scientific research to reach an answer. 
DON’T ASK "How much will it cost to remediate the site?" because you can't answer that question with a lab experiment. 1. 2. 3.

12. Possible Questions
Does the amount of __________ (name of contaminant) effect the growth of plants.
Does ___________ (name of contaminant) cause cancer in squirrels?
What is the best way to slow the spread of contaminants?
Does the distance from the source of contamination effect the amount of contaminants?

13. Identify the Independent and Dependent Variables for each…
Does the amount of __________ (name of contaminant) effect the growth of plants.
Independent Variable: Amount of Contaminant
Dependent Variable: Height of plants
2. Does ___________ (name of contaminant) cause cancer in squirrels?
Dependent Variable: Cancer in Squirrels

14. Identify the Independent and Dependent Variables for each…
3. What is the best way to slow the spread of contaminants?
Independent Variable: Type of Remediation
Dependent Variable: Amount of Contaminants at certain distances from source.
4. Does the distance from the source of contamination effect the amount of contaminants?
Independent Variable: Distance from Source
Dependent Variable: Amount of Contaminants.

15. (REMEMBER: IF…THEN…B/C)
Next…
DEVELOP A HYPOTHESIS
(REMEMBER: IF…THEN…B/C)
Problem: Does ___________ (name of contaminant) cause cancer in squirrels?
Hypothesis: If squirrels are exposed to benzene then they will develop cancer because benzene is a carcinogen.

16. With a Partner Make a problem statement about a Brownfield Site.
Write a hypothesis.
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis. (Write a procedure).

17. "A process (phytoremediation) has been developed that uses plants to remove contaminants from soils and water.  Suppose a contaminated area (Brownfield site) in your home town is being considered for this process.  Identify at least three questions that would need to be answered before starting such a program.“
Sample CAPT Question

18. Possible correct responses:
What is/were the sources of contamination?
What are/were the contaminants of concern?
What is the extent of the affected property?
How deep does the contamination extend into the sediment?
What are the potential effects on the local ecosystem/food webs?
What type of ecological restoration is being sought (recreational, residential, etc.)?
What is the timeframe needed for total restoration?
What is the cost associated with this program compared to other programs?
What special resources (tools, people, etc.) are required?