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Ahh, IC.

I'll probably see you at states then sirbobo, if we make it. I'm 80% sure we will...

SirBobo wrote:How do you make food coloring spread faster? When I add it to the aquifer, it just stays in one spot.

If you are contaminating your aquifer with food coloring, I've found that it is really hard to get out. We use cool-aid, and then after we put the cool-aid in we make it "precipitate" so that the water makes the contaminant soak into the aquifer. I hope that helps:)

turtlegirl wrote:

SirBobo wrote:How do you make food coloring spread faster? When I add it to the aquifer, it just stays in one spot.

If you are contaminating your aquifer with food coloring, I've found that it is really hard to get out. We use cool-aid, and then after we put the cool-aid in we make it "precipitate" so that the water makes the contaminant soak into the aquifer. I hope that helps:)

Does this work with sand?

Hey there! I have a small question...how do you show a leachate in your model? I have one idea.but it's not the best. I was hoping for some professional stuff.

aznluvsricemhm wrote:Hey there! I have a small question...how do you show a leachate in your model? I have one idea.but it's not the best. I was hoping for some professional stuff.

Hmm, I can't seem to think of a good way to demonstrate leachate. At states last year I think I pretended leachate was a synonym for percolation, not sure if the judge bought it .

This is how I might go about it:

1. Get a cup. Cut out the bottom.
2. Cover the bottom with coffee filter sheets, probably 3+. (Use tape)
3. Put rocks and coo-laid mix into the cup.

To demonstrate it, just pour clean water through the cup and show how the water picks up the cool aid mix when it goes through the coffee filter.

Or even avoid the mess with the Kool-Aid and use salt instead. If the salt dissolves, then you know the water is carrying the salt ions in solution.

Skink wrote:Or even avoid the mess with the Kool-Aid and use salt instead. If the salt dissolves, then you know the water is carrying the salt ions in solution.

This works too and is less messy, but it doesn't really taint the water with a color. I think it would be better though because judges should still accept it.

mnstrviola wrote:

Skink wrote:Or even avoid the mess with the Kool-Aid and use salt instead. If the salt dissolves, then you know the water is carrying the salt ions in solution.

This works too and is less messy, but it doesn't really taint the water with a color. I think it would be better though because judges should still accept it.

Salt is good but how are you going to prove lets say, acid rain contaminating the well? Taste it?

I was referring to demonstrating leachate. For contamination, I would still avoid the Kool-Aid (as suggested above) and stick to the food coloring. It's not that hard to remediate on-site since nobody's aquifers are that big...

Thanks to everyone that replied! It's a big help.