Intro | ecodetectives

Introducing the Mystery

In the coming days you will perform several investigations to solve the mystery of the Gray Area fish die off. We created a timeline of the Gray Area as a first step to finding clues to help us solve the problem.

The Board of Supervisors of the Gray Area suspects that the water slide is the culprit, and they plan to close it down. The water slide park opened at about the same time as the fish die off began. Many people in the area are upset about this, and a local student, Juan Tuno, has started his own investigation. Read Juan Tuno's introductory statement.

Juan Tuno Introductory Statement

I go to school in Synchrony City. I like science, but I also really like the

water slide. When I heard that they might close down the water slide

because fish are dying, I decided to do my own tests with my chemistry

kit. I found chemicals called phosphates in the stream. I think they may

be coming from my uncle's cattle ranch, and killing the fish. It's not fair

to shut down the water slide if the cattle ranch is killing the fish.

Don Juan Tuno Introductory Statement

I'm proud of my nephew's interest in science, but let's get real. What

do fish matter? People matter! The Gray Area should not be wasting

its money and resources studying the fish. Phosphates are in fertilizers

and they help plants to grow. When they're in water, they also help

algae (water plants) to grow. Fish eat algae, so more algae in the

streams and ponds would be good for them! Tell the fishermen to cut

back on their fishing to stop the problem-if there even is a problem.

Juan's uncle, Don Juan Tuno, has a different opinion. Read his statement.

Juan Tuno has persuaded the Gray Area Board of Supervisors not to shut down the water slide yet. However, the Board has specified that they need to make a decision about the water slide very soon.

There is one more suspect to meet now. Read Avery Wun's statement.

Avery Wun Introductory Statement

I live in Gray's Land Town, and I commute in my car to Synchrony

City to work everyday. It's a long commute, but it's worth it to me to

live out of the city, because I like nature. I'm very concerned about

the fish dying, and I'm concerned about the environment in general.

I'm just your average person-I shop, go to movies and the water

slide, and I like to fish.