Science Biology Blog

Part A: Introduction to Jurong Eco Garden

• Write down a brief introduction to Jurong Eco Garden (JEG)

Jurong Eco Garden is the "green lungs" of CleanTech Park. It is a place of respite for the working community within the business park, the residential community in the vicinity and the natural wildlife that make up the unique ecology of the site. It has four areas called the Summit Forest, Wildlife Corridor, Stream Ravine and Freshwater Swamp Forest. JEG is home to more than 139 species of flora and fauna, out of which six are considered species of conservation interest.

• Include group reflection.

We had a fun time visiting the Jurong eco garden. We got to see many different types of plants, animals and insects that we do not see very often. We got to know about many interesting facts and information about the living things we saw there.

Part B: Grouping and naming organisms

• Upload the most interesting photos/sketches that you have and try to identify them ( eg. species of plant, or bird )

                                                         Name: Malayan Banyan Tree

Scientific Name: Ficus Microcarpa

Fact: Being dispersed efficiently by birds   the Malayan Banyan can be found growing on trees, from cracks of buildings or drains, or just individually as a tree.

                       

                                                              Name: Ixora Plant
                                                    Scientific Name: Ixora Coccinea
                               Fact: There are more than 500 species of Ixora and numerous                                                                          varieties, and some have been used
                              as part of traditional medicine,  while others have a tendency to have                                                                                     invasive roots.

                                                               Name: Lantana Plant
                                                   Scientific Name: Lantana Camara
                                   Fact: From pale colors to the more bold colors. 

The intensity of the colors of the Lantana can change as the flower matures as well. 

                                                             Name: Crepe Ginger
                                               Scientific Name: Cheilocostus speciosus
                                      Fact: The plant has many historical uses in Ayurveda, where the rhizome has                                                       been used to treat fever,rash and asthma.

                                                                  Name: Snail
                                                   Scientific Name: achatinoidea
                         Fact: Snails’ ancestors are one of the earliest known types of animals in the                                                                                        world. 

    Name: Common Birdwing butterfly

   Scientific Name: Ornithoptera richmondia

                      Fact:The common birdwing is amongst the largest and most beautiful butterflies in Asia.

                                                              Name: Zebra Dove
                                                      Scientific name: Geopelia striata
                          Fact:  Feeds on small grass and weed seeds, as well as insects and other small                                                     invertebrates. It also Readily Eats Bread Products.

                                                            Name: millipede
                                                  Scientific Name: Diplopoda
                                Fact:When they hatch, millipedes only have 3 pairs of legs.

Part C: Impact of man on Biodiversity

• It has 4 different areas to help conserve and house different types and species of animals. They also house 139 different types of plants which 6 are of conservation interest. There is also a freshwater swamp which is a water source for 140 species or so species of birds, butterflies or insects living in the garden. There is a butterfly garden with at least 26 different species of butterflies. Three are of conservation interest Th common birdwing, blue helen and dwarf crow.
• We can play our part by keeping our environment clean. We should stop littering and polluting our environment. We should always throw our rubbish and litter inside the dustbins. Whenever we see litter around us we should be considerate pick it up and throw it in the dustbins. We must also reduce the usage of our own vehicles. We should start using public transports,walk or cycle to our destinations. Taking our personal vehicles will cause air pollution.

 
 Part D:

• The park authorities use solar powered lamps to light up the area. This was they can conserve electricity as they use energy from the sun. Sheltered structures in the Jurong eco garden are semi open to enhance natural ventilation and daylight penetration. A timer is set for the outdoor lights so that they turn on only at specified hours every day. All lightnings in Jurong eco garden use energy efficient LED fixtures with low wattage, reducing its lighting levels to a save requirement.
• Yes the authorities are doing their part to safeguard the natural environment. I also think that these efforts are effective. They can protect more animals,insects,butterflies and plants by expanding the size of the Jurong Eco garden.They can also grow more plants and protect more endangered species there.

Part E: Credits and Acknowledgement.

- http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-design/take-a-walk-on-the-green-side-in-jurongs-new-eco-garden

- https://mynatureexperiences.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/jurong-eco-garden-a-green-treasure/comment-page-1/

- http://insects.about.com/od/centipedesmillipedes/a/10-Facts-About-Millipedes.htm

- http://www.cheekiemonkie.net/2015/09/jurong-eco-garden-nature-learning-for.html

- http://www.jtc.gov.sg/industrial-land-and-space/pages/jurong-eco-garden.aspx

Chemistry Blog

                                              JSS Secondary One Chemistry

                                                       Semester II 2016

                                     Worksheet 2: Chemistry Project Task (BLOG)

Part A : Water Quality

1) What is water quality?

Water quality refers to the condition of water including chemical, physical and biological characteristic, usually with respect to its suitability for a particular purpose such as drinking or swimming.

2) How can water quality be tested?

Water quality can be tested by using a water quality test kit. You can also test the quality of water by smelling, tasting, checking the cloudiness, checking the particles and examining the color.

3) Why is good water quality important in an ecosystem?

Good water quality is important as it supports the native fish populations, vegetation, wetlands and bird life. It is also important as many of our own uses depend on water quality that is suitable for irrigation, watering stock, fishing, spiritual needs and daily uses.

Part B : Jurong Eco Garden (JEG) - CleanTech Park

•  Identify the main separation technique utilised in JEG

The main separation technique used is fractional distillation.

• Describe briefly the technique in general (Illustrate your description with labelled diagrams)

Fractional distillation differs from distillation only in that it separates a mixture into a number of different parts, called fractions. A tall column is fitted above the mixture, with several condensers coming off at different heights. The column is hot at the bottom and cool at the top. Substances with high boiling points condense at the bottom and substances with low boiling points condense at the top. Like distillation, fractional distillation works because the different substances in the mixture have different boiling points

•  Describe how this technique is used in JEG

JEG uses this technique to keep their water clean and safe for the aquatic plants and animals to live in. They would heat the mixture in big containers and make it clean

• We can consider adding more animals and trees. We can add animals such as pond snails, Siamese Algae Eater and Common Plecostomus. These water animals help to clean ponds( eating the algae). Like this, it is more eco friendly rather than hiring workers to use technology to clean the pond. More trees can also be added around the lake to reduce the chance of soil erosion. Resulting to the pond water not being polluted.It also can help to keep the air clean and not polluted when construction work is going on. 

• We can improve the water quality in the lake by reducing the use of fertiliser. Excess fertiliser can leach from the soil and impact the water(pollution). People tend to throw litter in the lake. In order to stop them from doing that we can fine them or help them to volunteer themselves to help clean the lake once a month if they do not stop. 

• Simple  distillation refers to the technique of purifying an organic liquid compound by precipitating and collecting the hot vapours coming off the boiling liquid. This method can also be used in identifying a substance by determining its boiling point. It is a method of achieving any mass transfer phenomenon that changes a mixture into two or more independent products or constituents.

• Another separation technique is  Filtration. A filtrate is a liquid that has passed through the filtration process. In this process, liquid is strained. Bigger particles get stuck in the strainer, while smaller particles and liquid pass through, becoming filtrate.

• Water quality in the lake can be monitored by checking if the aquatic animals in the lake is living healthy and not dead. It also can be monitored by taking samples and filtrate it to see if the water is clean. 

Part E:

-  https://www.reference.com/science/simple-distillation-8b63e6b983a4e1bc#

-  https://www.reference.com/science/filtrate-chemistry-497ab750a00debfb?   qo=contentSimilarQuestions#

-  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_quality

- http://www.wiredchemist.com/chemistry/instructional/laboratory-tutorials/distillation