Would you drink it?
who_polluted_the_river_student_sheet.docx | |
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The River Story
There was a time many years ago when our land was very wild.This was a time before roads
and cars. Only a small number of people lived here then.These native people depended on
nature for many of the things they needed to survive, but they lived simply and didn’t change
the natural surroundings too much.The people hunted in the forests, found food in the
swamps, and caught fish in the river. Pearl River The beautiful and sparkling river was home
to fish and other wildlife.
Eventually, more people traveled to this land from across the ocean.They found rich soil for
farming, forests full of wildlife, and a river that provided plenty of food and water. It was a
perfect place to live.
The river has changed a lot since that time long ago. This is the story of those changes.
Years went by, and once in a while there were big storms. Strong winds whipped through the
TREES and blew leaves into the water.
More and more people moved to the area. Gradually, a city grew up around the river. People
drained swamps and cut down forests to build houses, schools, churches, stores, roads,
hospitals and many other buildings. Rains washed loose soil from these BUILDING SITES
into the river.
Now at the source of the river (Upstream), FARMERS plant crops to feed all the people of the
city. They use chemicals called fertilizers to make their crops grow faster. Some farmers keep
pigs and other animals in BARNYARDS. As rainwater drains out of the fields and barnyard, it
carries some of the fertilizers and manure into a little creek behind the farm.The creek flows
into the river.
In the mountains near the source of the river, you often find parks. On nice days, many
people head down to the river. Some zoom up and down the river in MOTORBOATS and
don’t notice that a little engine oil leaks into the water.The oil will not mix with the river water,
but will float on the surface. It will coat the feathers of ducks or other birds that paddle around
on the water looking for food, making it harder for them to stay afloat or fly.
Lots of people are having FAMILY PICNICS in the parks along the river, too. Some of these
people have left trash on the shore.With the next storm, that trash will wash into the river.
On the shore a PERSON FISHING snags a hook on a log. Instead of untangling it, the
person fishing simply breaks off the snagged piece of the nylon fishing line and lets it fall into
the river. The land is no longer wild, and the river has changed a lot over the years.
As we get close to the city, we enter find communities of suburbs for people who work in the
city. These are DRIVERS who take their cars to and from work, shopping or family outings. If
a car is not taken good care of it might also leak oil or other fluids, which will be washed off
the roads and into the river with the next rain.
A boy in the city is out WASHING THE FAMILY CAR. The soapy water rushes down the
driveway into the storm drain by the curb; the storm drain empties into the river.The grease
and grime on a car contains tar from the roads, very tiny bits of rubber from the wearing of
the tires, and rust.
Families in the suburbs and the cities also use a lot of water for washing and FLUSHING the
toilet. Although most cities have water treatment plants, not all will fully clean the water. The
water entering the river from outfalls may be filtered but it’s far from clean. It contains solids
from human waste, tissues and bathing water.
Now, the city along the river has grown to be one of the largest cities in the country. Many
people live and work in and around the city. Many businesses provide services for the
people. Several FACTORIES make things that people want, like cars and furniture, but the
factories leak paint and other chemicals into the river. These pollutants cause the fish to
become sick. As people move about in their busy days, they often drive from place to place.
The river now enters the South China Sea as many other rivers do.
There was a time many years ago when our land was very wild.This was a time before roads
and cars. Only a small number of people lived here then.These native people depended on
nature for many of the things they needed to survive, but they lived simply and didn’t change
the natural surroundings too much.The people hunted in the forests, found food in the
swamps, and caught fish in the river. Pearl River The beautiful and sparkling river was home
to fish and other wildlife.
Eventually, more people traveled to this land from across the ocean.They found rich soil for
farming, forests full of wildlife, and a river that provided plenty of food and water. It was a
perfect place to live.
The river has changed a lot since that time long ago. This is the story of those changes.
Years went by, and once in a while there were big storms. Strong winds whipped through the
TREES and blew leaves into the water.
More and more people moved to the area. Gradually, a city grew up around the river. People
drained swamps and cut down forests to build houses, schools, churches, stores, roads,
hospitals and many other buildings. Rains washed loose soil from these BUILDING SITES
into the river.
Now at the source of the river (Upstream), FARMERS plant crops to feed all the people of the
city. They use chemicals called fertilizers to make their crops grow faster. Some farmers keep
pigs and other animals in BARNYARDS. As rainwater drains out of the fields and barnyard, it
carries some of the fertilizers and manure into a little creek behind the farm.The creek flows
into the river.
In the mountains near the source of the river, you often find parks. On nice days, many
people head down to the river. Some zoom up and down the river in MOTORBOATS and
don’t notice that a little engine oil leaks into the water.The oil will not mix with the river water,
but will float on the surface. It will coat the feathers of ducks or other birds that paddle around
on the water looking for food, making it harder for them to stay afloat or fly.
Lots of people are having FAMILY PICNICS in the parks along the river, too. Some of these
people have left trash on the shore.With the next storm, that trash will wash into the river.
On the shore a PERSON FISHING snags a hook on a log. Instead of untangling it, the
person fishing simply breaks off the snagged piece of the nylon fishing line and lets it fall into
the river. The land is no longer wild, and the river has changed a lot over the years.
As we get close to the city, we enter find communities of suburbs for people who work in the
city. These are DRIVERS who take their cars to and from work, shopping or family outings. If
a car is not taken good care of it might also leak oil or other fluids, which will be washed off
the roads and into the river with the next rain.
A boy in the city is out WASHING THE FAMILY CAR. The soapy water rushes down the
driveway into the storm drain by the curb; the storm drain empties into the river.The grease
and grime on a car contains tar from the roads, very tiny bits of rubber from the wearing of
the tires, and rust.
Families in the suburbs and the cities also use a lot of water for washing and FLUSHING the
toilet. Although most cities have water treatment plants, not all will fully clean the water. The
water entering the river from outfalls may be filtered but it’s far from clean. It contains solids
from human waste, tissues and bathing water.
Now, the city along the river has grown to be one of the largest cities in the country. Many
people live and work in and around the city. Many businesses provide services for the
people. Several FACTORIES make things that people want, like cars and furniture, but the
factories leak paint and other chemicals into the river. These pollutants cause the fish to
become sick. As people move about in their busy days, they often drive from place to place.
The river now enters the South China Sea as many other rivers do.
Map of Lam Tsuen River
with river source, course and mouth. click the image. |
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