The Fish Kill Mystery

By Erica F. Kosal

Abstract

In this case study, students speculate on what may have caused a major fish kill in an estuary in North Carolina. In the process, they explore how land runoff and excess nutrients affect aquatic communities, and learn about the complex life cycle of the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria. The case is appropriate for an introductory environmental science course, a general biology course that covers ecology, or a general zoology course.

Download Case

Date Posted

10/09/2003

Overview

Objectives

To explain how land runoff may affect aquatic communities.
To describe in detail two effects that excess nutrients may have on aquatic ecosystems.
To describe the complex life cycle of Pfiesteria as an example of dinoflagellate biology.
To describe how human activities have contributed to problems such as eutrophication, which may come back to influence human health.

Keywords

Fishkill; fish kill; eutrophication; Pfiesteria piscicida; aquatic ecosystems; dinoflagellate; land runoff, excess nutrients; estuaries; estuary; nutrient influx; North Carolina

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Ecology

Environmental Science

Zoology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Regulatory issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Role-Play

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

Case teaching notes are protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, purchase a subscription here.

Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.

Download Notes

Answer Key

Answer Keys are protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, purchase a subscription here.