Awesome Aquifers B

[Skink]

Thank you.
So it would probably be cutting it a little close if a container with the dimensions of 9"x5"x4" were used? (That's 180 cubic inches, or 2.94 liters) As long as you're SURE it's under 3.0L, then you're 100% okay. If that was a guestimate, I'd check the exact volume and make sure you're in the clear.

Also, are you allowed to take items out of the container when explaining and place them on the table Uhh, this I'm not sure about...I wanna say it's at the discretion of the supervisor. I caution my team to doing that because you may get that one mean supervisor who won't give you the points for it because you demonstrated something OUTSIDE of your aquifer. That make sense? If you can, it won't hurt to keep it all contained. or something? And can the items protrude out of the box, or must it stay within the 3 liters There was a clarification about this. Yes, you may. And if you're using pump heads, then you definitely have a protrusion. I think most teams do.?

[TYG]

Thank you.
So it would probably be cutting it a little close if a container with the dimensions of 9"x5"x4" were used? (That's 180 cubic inches, or 2.94 liters) As long as you're SURE it's under 3.0L, then you're 100% okay. If that was a guestimate, I'd check the exact volume and make sure you're in the clear.

Also, are you allowed to take items out of the container when explaining and place them on the table Uhh, this I'm not sure about...I wanna say it's at the discretion of the supervisor. I caution my team to doing that because you may get that one mean supervisor who won't give you the points for it because you demonstrated something OUTSIDE of your aquifer. That make sense? If you can, it won't hurt to keep it all contained. or something? And can the items protrude out of the box, or must it stay within the 3 liters There was a clarification about this. Yes, you may. And if you're using pump heads, then you definitely have a protrusion. I think most teams do.?

Okay, thank you for your help

[mnstrviola]

are we allowed to use 2 containers whose added volume does not exceed 3 liters?

[Skink]

Good question. The answer is, again, the vauge "it depends on the supervisor". There SHOULD be a clarification on this, but there isn't. If it were me, I'd allow it. My team used a separate container to demonstrate confined aquifer at Regionals, and they allowed it. Chances are you can do it, but don't if you can avoid it.

What demo topic do you think you need a separate container for? The only one I can think of offhand is a confined aquifer.

[mnstrviola]

what can I use to represent an impermeable layer?

[Skink]

what can I use to represent an impermeable layer?

As a competitor in this event, you should be able to list off to me several substances that are impermeable (and cheap and nontoxic). If you can't, then I suggest checking the rules, the wiki, Google, and maybe even page back in this topic for help. If you still need help after that, come back, and I'll give you some suggestions. I'd feel better if you wrestled with that question yourself a little more first.

[mnstrviola]

what can I use to represent an impermeable layer?

As a competitor in this event, you should be able to list off to me several substances that are impermeable (and cheap and nontoxic). If you can't, then I suggest checking the rules, the wiki, Google, and maybe even page back in this topic for help. If you still need help after that, come back, and I'll give you some suggestions. I'd feel better if you wrestled with that question yourself a little more first.

clay ! Time to go to the dollar store.

[skillfullparrot7]

One thing you can do is dye the water you bring blue, it makes it easier to show the water table and capillary fringe, just don't use blue dye for your contaminant. And if you don't know already, be sure to bring 2 different types of rocks/soil to show porosity. Aluminum foil with holes poked in it(a "lake") is a great way to show recharge/discharge. Bring newspaper to put under your container when you build and show your model to the judges, it makes cleaning up a whole lot faster.

[TYG]

When demonstrating concepts such as groundwater remediation, is it expected that you explain how the materials you use relate to a real aquifer? So if you "pollute" the water with something and filter it in your aquifer model, do you have to explain what the filter would be equivalent to in an actual aquifer?

[Skink]

One thing you can do is dye the water you bring blue, it makes it easier to show the water table Or just use a clear bottle. I dunno, that never seemed to be a huge issue. Okay, scratch that; if your team stinks at clearly pointing out what you're explaining in the model, then that is helpful. and capillary fringe, just don't use blue dye for your contaminant. And if you don't know already, be sure to bring 2 different types of rocks/soil to show porosity. Aluminum foil with holes poked in it(a "lake") is a great way to show recharge/discharge That isn't necessary, though. You're better off with a "natural" lake--a dip in your top stratum--than an artifical one like the foil.. Bring newspaper to put under your container when you build and show your model to the judges, it makes cleaning up a whole lot faster Now that's a good idea. I mean...we've all learned that this event is messy at one time or another..

When demonstrating concepts such as groundwater remediation, is it expected that you explain how the materials you use relate to a real aquifer Here's the thing: real life example of a contaminant IS a concept in of itself if you look at the materials from the Groundwater Foundation. That said, I suppose you could get by not drawing any connections between your demo and the real world, but it doesn't hurt to include real life examples in your explanation.? So if you "pollute" the water with something Give an example of what that something is because they can't take away points for TMI. and filter it in your aquifer model, do you have to explain what the filter would be equivalent to in an actual aquifer I'd do it. Whatever you use as a filter is probably the least realistic part of your model other than your well. It could be a treatment plant, a literally planted plant (remember phytoremediation), stuff of that nature. The supervisor will probably want that, anyways--the sample judge sheet asks for a real life example, so, yes, give examples. You really should do this for everything. Make sure to tell them your pump head represents a well. They know that, but tell them so the know you know it.?