4.4 water pollution

Question 1

aquatic pollutants

Answer 1

• chemical pollutants
  toxic metals
• physical pollutants
  noise, thermal
• biological pollutants
  invasive species

Question 2

aquatic pollution
domestic sewage

Answer 2

• universal pollutant
• main source of pathogens

Question 3

aquatic pollution
industrial discharge

Answer 3

• can produce organic matter, toxic metals, synthetic non-biodegradable compounds
• paper industry, lots of water, waste water
• hot water into rivers

Question 4

aquatic pollution
agricultural run off

Answer 4

• pesticides, toxic
• fertilizers, nitrates, growth of water plants
• manure, increase organic material. pathogens, suspended solids

Question 5

aquatic pollution
urban run off

Answer 5

• picks up pollutants as it flows through an area, contains variety of pollutants

Question 6

aquatic pollution
land development

Answer 6

• forest clearance, increase soil erosion, runoff

Question 7

aquatic pollution
landfill sites

Answer 7

• leachates concentrated pollutants entering ground/surface water

Question 8

aquatic pollution
accidental discharges

Answer 8

• storage sizes involving hazardous materials
• spill, material can escape into nearby water systems

Question 9

aquatic pollution
acid mine drainage

Answer 9

• rainwater percolating through a mine
• reacts with iron pyrite to form sulphuric acid, dissolves toxic metals, transported by water flow into nearby water systems

Question 10

aquatic pollution
atmospheric input

Answer 10

• emissions washed out of the atmosphere by rain into aquatic systems

Question 11

aquatic pollution, marine based sources
outfall pipes

Answer 11

• used to discharge material directly from land to sea

Question 12

aquatic pollution, marine based sources
materials dumped at sea

Answer 12

• sewage
• radioactive waste

Question 13

aquatic pollution, marine based sources
shipping activities

Answer 13

• disposal of litter and other waste at sea
• accidental discharges
• discharge of ballast waters containing oil residue/invasive species

Question 14

aquatic pollution, marine based sources
exploitation of resources

Answer 14

• extraction of material beneath the sea bed, oil/gravel

Question 15

impacts of water pollution
organic pollution

Answer 15

• organic material, micro organisms break down, oxygen is used, anoxic conditions, organisms may die
• anaerobic breakdown of organic compounds, production of methane, hydrogen sulphide and ammonia, die from toxic gasses

Question 16

impacts of water pollution
inorganic plant nutrients

Answer 16

• nitrates and phosphates, eutrophication, cyanobacteria blooms
• blooms toxins harmful to human health

Question 17

impacts of water pollution
toxic metals

Answer 17

• high levels interfere with cellular processes, bioaccumulation/magnification

Question 18

oxygen levels are determined by

Answer 18

temperature
- more oxygen, lower temp
pressure
- less oxygen, lower pressure
turbulence
- more oxygen, more turbulence
photosynthesis
- during the day produces oxygen, more
respiration
- utilizes oxygen, can lower

Question 19

problems associated with eutrophication

Answer 19

• unsuitable for drinking
• reduced recreational use
• reduced comercial value
• increased water related diseases

Question 20

minimata japan case study

Answer 20

• environmental metal poisoning
• cats, hyperactive
• seafood contaminated mercury
• loss of muscle coordination, memory loss, slurred speech
• bioaccumulate up the food chain
• factory using mercury discharging into the bay
• brain damage

Question 21

impacts of water pollution
synthetic compounds

Answer 21

• bioaccumulation
• fish reproduction, growth, immune system, endocrine system, illnesses in humans

Question 22

impacts of water pollution
inert suspended solids

Answer 22

• prevent light penetration

Question 23

impacts of water pollution
hot water

Answer 23

• lower concentrations of oxygen
• unfavourable temp
• lower biodiversity

Question 24

impacts of water pollution
oil

Answer 24

• surface film
• oxygen depletion within the water
• decreases photosynthesis
• loose ability to repel water

Question 25

impacts of water pollution
invasive species

Answer 25

• migrate, global warming
• escape
• outcompete natural animals
• decrease biodiversity

Question 26

measuring water quality
pH and temperature

Answer 26

• should be normal for the area

Question 27

measuring water quality
suspended solids

Answer 27

• small particles, block sunlight, reducing photosynthesis
• filtering some of the water and weighing residue
• turbidity meter

Question 28

measuring water quality
dissolved oxygen

Answer 28

• well oxygenated water = suitable environment for many organisms
• oxygen meter or winkler method

Question 29

measuring water quality
biochemical oxygen demand

Answer 29

• oxygen levels measured
• bottle filled with sample and sealed
• kept in the dark at 20°c for 5 days
• oxygen levels measured again
• difference between initial and final is the BOD
• 2mg/l or less = pristine
  20mg/l = badly polluted

Question 30

measuring water quality
metals

Answer 30

• over a certain concentration, adverse effect
• samples taken and then analyzed

Question 31

limitations of measuring water quality

Answer 31

• snap shot in time, not reflective of overall
• right after pollution or dispersed due to a storm

Question 32

measuring water quality
biological monitoring

Answer 32

• checking individual species for pollution over time
• eg, muscles and ddt

Question 33

measuring water quality
biotic index

Answer 33

• presence of organisms indicate water quality
• indicator species
• biodiversity

Question 34

measuring water quality
microbial test

Answer 34

• tested for pathogens
• expensive
• incubation period to identify

Question 35

managing eutrophication

Answer 35

• alternatives to phosphates in detergent
• removing nitrates and phosphates from sewage effluent
• buffer zones
• livestock access to aquatic systems
• herbicides, algal blooms
• biological control, fish that eat algae
• mix the water, aerate