Chapter 14 Vocab

Question 1

water pollution

Answer 1

The contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, or groundwater with substances produced through human activities

Question 2

wastewater

Answer 2

Water produced by human activities including human sewage from toilets and gray water from bathing and washing of clothes and dishes.

Question 3

point source

Answer 3

A distinct location from which pollution is directly produced.

Question 4

nonpoint source

Answer 4

A diffuse area that produces pollution.

Question 5

biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

Answer 5

The amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time at specific temperatures.

Question 6

eutrophication

Answer 6

A phenomenon in which a body of water becomes rich in nutrients.

Question 7

cultural eutrophication

Answer 7

An increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients.

Question 8

indicator species

Answer 8

An increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients.

Question 9

fecal coliform bacteria

Answer 9

A group of microorganisms in the human intestines that can serve as an indicator species for potentially harmful microorganisms associated with contamination by sewage.

Question 10

septic system

Answer 10

A relatively small and simple sewage treatment system, made up of a septic tank and a leach field, often used for homes in rural areas.

Question 11

septic tank

Answer 11

A large container that receives wastewater from a house as part of a septic system.

Question 12

sludge

Answer 12

Solid waste material from wastewater.

Question 13

septage

Answer 13

the middle layer of fairly clear water (often in a septic tank), contains large quantities of bacteria and may also contain pathogenic organisms and inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous.

Question 14

leach field

Answer 14

The ground area around a septic tank through which waste waters filters after leaving the tank

Question 15

manure lagoon

Answer 15

Human-made ponds lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.

Question 16

acid deposition

Answer 16

Human-made ponds lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.

Question 17

perchlorates

Answer 17

A group of harmful chemicals used for rocket fuel.

Question 18

poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Answer 18

synthetic chemicals containing chlorine that are used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products, become stored in the tissue of animals, and also persist in the environment

Question 19

thermal pollution

Answer 19

Human-made ponds lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.

Question 20

thermal shock

Answer 20

A dramatic change in water temperature that can kill organisms.

Question 21

clean water act

Answer 21

Legislation that was created in 1948 and then hugely expanded in 1972. It sets maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways. Aim: to make surface waters swimmable and fishable

Question 22

safe drinking water act

Answer 22

1974- set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health

Question 23

maximum contaminant level (MCL)

Answer 23

The standard for safe drinking water established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.