Leaf Decomposition – Making Tea

Activity Summary
When leaves enter streams or other bodies of water, leaf compounds are removed from the leaf and enter the stream. Streams where leaching caused the water to be a dark color are referred to as black water streams. In this lab students will observe the results from leaching. Students will compare the difference in water color between two leaf types.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Define leaching
2. Explain what is a black water stream

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plans

Keywords
stream ecology, decomposition, leaching, tannins

 

Last updated: 3/2/2015