Have you ever wondered why millions of black balls are floating in the Los Angeles Reservoir? These aren’t just for decoration or to reduce evaporation as many might think. Instead, they play a crucial role in keeping the water clean and safe. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of shade balls and discover their true purpose.
The Los Angeles Reservoir is home to an incredible 96 million shade balls. These aren’t just ordinary plastic balls; they’re specially designed to help manage the water. Each ball is partially filled with water to keep it stable, so it doesn’t blow away in the wind.
The shade balls are black for a very important reason. Their color helps block sunlight from reaching the water. This is crucial because sunlight can cause a chemical reaction that turns bromide, a natural component in water, into bromate, a harmful compound. Bromate can be dangerous, so preventing its formation is key. The balls are made from a safe plastic called high-density polyethylene, which is perfect for use in water.
The issue of bromate became a concern when a company found high levels of it in their drinks. It turns out that when bromide in the water is exposed to sunlight and chlorine, it turns into bromate. To stop this from happening, Los Angeles needed a way to block sunlight from the reservoir, and that’s where shade balls come in.
Before using shade balls, scientists tested them to make sure they worked. They used small pools filled with reservoir water and found that shade balls greatly reduced bromate levels compared to water exposed to sunlight or covered with tarps.
Shade balls do more than just stop bromate. They also help control algae, which can make the water look green and murky. With shade balls, there’s less need for chlorine, and the water stays clearer.
While some thought shade balls might increase evaporation, they actually reduce it by 80 to 90%. The balls absorb heat but don’t pass it to the water because of their design, which includes an air-filled interior that acts like an insulator. This keeps the water cooler.
Shade balls are quite affordable, costing about $0.33 to $0.34 each. Over time, the savings from using fewer chemicals and reducing evaporation make up for their cost. Plus, they’re recyclable, which means they can be reused or repurposed if needed.
Shade balls are an amazing example of smart water management. By blocking sunlight, they prevent harmful bromate, control algae, and reduce evaporation. This clever solution not only keeps the water safe and clean but also shows how creative ideas can help protect our environment.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand how shade balls work. Fill two clear containers with water. Cover one with black plastic balls or a black cloth and leave the other uncovered. Place both in sunlight for a few hours. Observe and record any differences in water temperature and clarity. Discuss how this relates to the function of shade balls in the reservoir.
Imagine you are an engineer tasked with designing a new type of shade ball. Consider materials, color, and shape. Create a drawing or model of your design and explain how it would improve upon the current shade balls used in Los Angeles. Present your design to the class.
Calculate the total cost of deploying shade balls in a reservoir. If each shade ball costs $0.33 and the reservoir requires 96 million balls, what is the total cost? Discuss how the cost compares to the savings from reduced chemical use and evaporation.
Research the environmental benefits and potential drawbacks of using shade balls. Consider factors like wildlife impact, plastic pollution, and water quality. Write a short report or create a presentation to share your findings with the class.
Participate in a class debate on the effectiveness of shade balls compared to other water management solutions. Divide into two groups, with one supporting shade balls and the other proposing alternative methods. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments.
Shade – A dark area or region caused by the blocking of sunlight by an object – Trees provide shade, which helps to keep the soil cool and prevent water evaporation.
Balls – Spherical objects that can be used in scientific experiments to demonstrate principles like motion or buoyancy – Scientists used plastic balls to cover the reservoir, reducing water evaporation by blocking sunlight.
Water – A transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms – Water is essential for all life forms, and it plays a crucial role in the Earth’s climate system.
Bromate – A chemical compound that can form in water when ozone is used for disinfection – Bromate levels in drinking water are monitored to ensure they do not exceed safe limits.
Sunlight – The light and energy that come from the sun – Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce energy and oxygen.
Algae – Simple non-flowering plants that include the seaweeds and many single-celled forms, which contain chlorophyll but lack true stems, roots, leaves, and vascular tissue – Algae can grow rapidly in water bodies with high nutrient levels, sometimes leading to harmful algal blooms.
Evaporation – The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor – Evaporation from the ocean surface is a key part of the water cycle, contributing to cloud formation and precipitation.
Reservoir – A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply – The reservoir was built to store water for the city and to provide a habitat for wildlife.
Clean – Free from dirt, marks, or pollutants – Clean water is vital for human health, and many technologies are used to ensure our water supply is safe to drink.
Environment – The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates – Protecting the environment is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the health of our planet.
