1 - Water Pollution

Question 1

These refer to the available sources of water that can be used for various purposes, including drinking, irrigation, industrial processes, and environmental needs.

Answer 1

Water Resources

Question 2

It refers to water bodies found on the earth’s surface, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, replenished by rainfall and runoff from surrounding areas.

Answer 2

Surface water

Question 3

It is commonly uses for drinking, agriculture, industrial processes, and recreational activities.

Answer 3

Surface water

Question 4

It is a water stored underground in permeable rock layers called aquifers, accessed by drilling wells.

Answer 4

Groundwater

Question 5

This water is crucial for drinking and irrigation, particularly in areas with limited water surface.

Answer 5

Groundwater

Question 6

It is a significant global challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide.

Answer 6

Water scarcity

Question 7

It is a continuous and interconnected process where water moves through various stages, redistributing water from one location to another and maintaining a balance between different water reservoirs, including oceans, atmosphere, surface water bodies, and groundwater.

Answer 7

Hydrologic Cycle or Water cycle

Question 8

It is the combined process of evaporation and transpiration that results in the loss of water from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere.

Answer 8

Evapotranspiration

Question 9

It represents the total amount of water vapor released into the air from both land and vegetation.

Answer 9

Evapotranspiration

Question 10

The main compartments of water:

Answer 10

Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Surface runoff
Groundwater flow
Melting

Question 11

It refers to the water that resides beneath the earth’s surface, stored in porous rocks, soil, and aquifers.

Answer 11

Groundwater

Question 12

It refers to the water consumed by households for various purposes, such as drinking, cooking, bathing, sanitation, and washing.

Answer 12

Domestic water use

Question 13

It is the largest consumer of water globally which includes irrigation, livestock watering, and aquaculture.

Answer 13

Agricultural water use

Question 14

It refers to the usage of water for various purposes, such as manufacturing, processing, cooling, and cleaning.

Answer 14

Industrial water usage

Question 15

It refers to the water allocated for maintaining ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and sustaining natural habitats.

Answer 15

Environmental water uses

Question 16

It refers to the hidden or indirect water uses in the production or trade of goods and services, representing the amount of water required in the entire supply chain, including the production, processing, and distribution of a particular product.

Answer 16

Virtual Water

Question 17

These are substances that contaminate water bodies, posing significant threats to the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems and the quality of water available for human use.

Answer 17

Water pollutants

Question 18

It refers to specific, identifiable locations or outlets through which pollutants are directly discharged into water bodies. These resources typically involve a single, identifiable point of discharge, such as a pipe, outfall, or drainage channel.

Answer 18

Point sources

Question 19

It occurs when contaminants are released into water systems from industrial facilities, wastewater treatment plants, power plants, or other clearly defined sources.

Answer 19

Point source pollution

Question 20

Point source pollutants:

Answer 20

Industrial discharges
Municipal wastewater treatment plants
Agricultural runoff
Mining activities
Oil spills

Question 21

It refers to diffuse and widespread pollution that originates from multiple, often unidentifiable sources, making it challenging to trace the exact point of discharge.

Answer 21

Nonpoint sources

Question 22

It occurs when pollutants are carried by runoff, seepage, or atmospheric deposition from various areas and then enter water bodies through surface runoff or groundwater flow.

Answer 22

Nonpoint sources pollution

Question 23

Nonpoint source pollutants:

Answer 23

Agricultural runoff
Urban and suburban runoff
Residential areas
Forests and natural landscapes
Atmospheric deposition

Question 24

Key persistent challenges in water pollution:

Answer 24

1. Nonpoint source pollution
2. Aging infrastructure
3. Emerging contaminants
4. Climate change

Question 25

It is a pressing global issue that affects the health and well-being of communities around the world.

Answer 25

Water pollution

Question 26

Water pollution factors in developing countries:

Answer 26

1. Industrial and agricultural practices
2. Lack of proper sanitation infrastructure
3. Limited access to clean water sources
4. Rapid urbanization and population growth
5. Limited financial resources and technical capacity
6. Lack of awareness and education

Question 27

It refers to the process of removing impurities, contaminants, and pollutants from water to make it safe for various applications such as drinking, industrial use, irrigation, and environmental protection.

Answer 27

Water treatment

Question 28

It refers to the set of actions and techniques employed to restore and improve the quality of a polluted or contaminated environments, often involving the removal or treatment of hazardous substances or pollutants.

Answer 28

Remediation

Question 29

Quality levels of municipal treatment:

Answer 29

1. Primary treatment
2. Secondary treatment
3. Tertiary treatment

Question 30

The initial stage of municipal treatment that involves physical processes to remove large solids and floating debris from wastewater.

Answer 30

Primary treatment

Question 31

A type of water treatment infrastructure used in the primary treatment stage to remove suspended solids and settle out heavier particles from wastewater.

Answer 31

Settling tanks or sedimentation tanks

Question 32

Stage of municipal treatment that aims to remove dissolved and suspended organic matter. It involves the biological treatment of wastewater using microorganisms to break down organic materials.

Answer 32

Secondary treatment

Question 33

It is a method used in the secondary stage of municipal treatment where wastewater is mixed with a culture of microorganisms in an aeration tank.

Answer 33

Activated sludge process

Question 34

It is an advanced level of municipal treatment that further refines the quality of the wastewater, making it suitable for specific purposes such as reuse or discharge into sensitive environments. It also involves the application of additional treatment processes such as filtration, disinfection, chemical precipitation, and advanced oxidation.

Answer 34

Tertiary treatment

Question 35

It is a type of natural wastewater treatment system that utilizes wetland environments to treat and purify wastewater.

Answer 35

Wetland-based treatment system

Question 36

Wetland-based treatment process:

Answer 36

1. Anaerobic tanks
2. Aerobic tanks
3. Constructed wetlands
4. Disinfection

Question 37

It refers to sources of water that provide water to public drinking water supplies and private wells.

Answer 37

Source water

Question 38

This law deals with managing water resources that pass through multiple sovereign states and territories.

Answer 38

International water law