3) water pollution (FT & E)

Question 1

eutrophication: definition & cause

Answer 1

eutrophication is the abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus paired with a lack of oxygen that causes algae to grow in excess and create dead zones in bodies of water
Caused when waterways are polluted by nitrogen & phosphorus (fertilizers)

Question 2

point vs. non-point sources

Answer 2

Discrete and confined sources
(Pipes from industrial or municipal facilities)
Usually treated on-site and regulated by permit

Intermittent and diffuse sources
(Runoff pollution)
Difficult to control; a variety of pollutants
Urban courses → street runoff
Rural sources → agriculture and mining

Question 3

acid mine drainage: causes & impacts

Answer 3

Acid mine drainage is the discharge of acidic water with elevated concentrations of dissolved metals that drain from mines
Caused by sulfide minerals’ interaction with oxygen-rich water near the surface in mines
Introduces toxins to aquatic plants & animals, mobilizes other toxic chemicals, worsens water pollution

Question 4

stream-floodplain restoration goals

Answer 4

stabilize rivers, restore riparian zones, restore aquatic habitats, improve water quality, increase denitrification, improve aquatic life

Question 5

wetlands

Answer 5

Wetlands are areas inundated by water or saturated to depth for some days out of the year
Characterized by presence of water, hydric soil, hydrophytic plants, and services they provide to the ecosystem
(Buffers, filters, sponges, recharge areas)

Question 6

Cuyahoga river fire: causes

Answer 6

The rise in industrialization in the late 19th century led to pollutants making their way into the river
1969 - water was oil-soaked & train spark caused the river to catch fire

Question 7

N & P importance for water quality

Answer 7

in small amounts they provide alge & food for aquatic life
in large doses they cause hypoxia & eutrophication

Question 8

saltwater intrusion: definition & causes

Answer 8

Saltwater intrusion is the displacement of fresh groundwater by saltwater
groundwater wells being pumped too close to coastal areas, groundwater is overpumped and saltwater finds its way to the pump

Question 9

septic systems

Answer 9

waste collection where bacteria degrades solids and liquids undergo further underground drainage

Question 10

wastewater treatment plants

Answer 10

Primary treatment removes 30-40% of pollutants
Screening for large particles
Mud-like settled sludge goes to the digester

Secondary treatment removes 90% of organic materials
Wastewater goes into an aeration tank
Oxygen bubbles & bacteria break down organic matter
Water goes to ozone/chlorine disinfection

advanced treatment
nutrients, heavy metals, chemicals removed
“reclaimed water”

Question 11

wetlands & water pollution

Answer 11

Wetlands combat water pollution by absorbing and filtering toxins
More wetlands = more filtration

Question 12

limiting nutrients: definition & impacts

Answer 12

Limiting nutrients are the scarcest nutrients in a population that stop the growth of the rest, regardless of the others’ abundance

Phosphorus limitations in lakes & nitrogen limitations in oceans cause eutrophication
They also limit oxygen growth
(Hypoxia in the Sound)

Question 13

denitrification: definition & s-f reconnection

Answer 13

Denitrification is the conversion of nitrate into nitrogen to remove it from waterways
(NO3 → NO2 → NO → N2O → N2)
Stream restoration enhances riparian zones which facilitates denitrification

Question 14

acid rain: water quality & alkalinization

Answer 14

Acid rain turns bodies of water acidic which reduces the water quality
As a result, the alkalinity of bodies of water goes down so efforts must be taken to increase alkalinity to counteract the acid rain (lake liming)

Question 15

S-F reconnection in MD

Answer 15

business growth, hydrologic conductivity, water quality (human & animal use), aquatic life

Question 16

Clean Water Act

Answer 16

Clean Water Act is a legal statute to reduce direct pollutant discharge into waterways, finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and manage runoff
It protects the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of waterways for shellfish, fish, wildlife, and recreation

Question 17

ecosystem services

Answer 17

Ecosystem services are benefits that humans receive from nature that underpin food, water, security, health, and economy

Question 18

acid rain & nature

Answer 18

Acid rain decreases water quality, turning water acidic and creating health problems for fish
(Fish gills crusted over, reproductive cycles were interrupted)
Trees were denied nutrients and were unable to grow
Birds didn’t have enough calcium so eggshells were weakened

Question 19

origins of coal

Answer 19

Dead plants decay in swamps → get buried → get compressed until all water & organic gases are removed → concentrated carbon (coal) left behind

Question 20

origins of oil

Answer 20

Ancient plankton & marine algae in anoxic conditions are preserved → pressure compresses it → lithification turns it into black shale (source rock) → as temp. rises kerogen turns to oil and is released

Question 21

origins of natural gas

Answer 21

Organic matter in rocks (?) is broken down by bacteria → everything but methane is broken down → methane stays behind as volatile short-chain hydrocarbons floating on top of oil