Science Unit 8 Lesson 1

Question 1

What charateristic of water makes it susceptible to pollution?

Answer 1

Water is a universal solvent, which means it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. This characteristic of water makes it susceptible to pollution.

Question 2

What is water pollution?

Answer 2

harmful substances contaminating a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, lowering water quality and making the water toxic

Question 3

What does water pollution affect?

Answer 3

Water pollution is a widespread problem that affects water resources, water quality, the environment, and the health of all living organisms.

Question 4

What is the definition of groundwater?

Answer 4

Water stored in the cracks and space of underground rock

Question 5

What is the definition of surface water?

Answer 5

Bodies of water on the surface of earth such as oceans, rivers, and lakes

Question 6

What is the definition of point source pollution?

Answer 6

Pollution that comes from a known and specific location

Question 7

What is the definition of nonpoint source pollution?

Answer 7

Pollution that does not have specific point of origin

Question 8

How does groundwater get polluted?

Answer 8

Groundwater gets polluted when contaminants seep down into the aquifer.

Question 9

Why is it difficult to save polluted aquifers?

Answer 9

Once an aquifer is polluted it can be very difficult and costly to make
the water safe again.

Question 10

How does surfacewater get contaminated?

Answer 10

Surfacewater gets contaminated when biological, chemical, and physical contaminants are dumped or runoff into water supplies.

Question 11

What is point source pollution?

Answer 11

Point source pollution is pollution that comes from a known and specific location, such as pipes from a factory or treatment plant or a leaking storage tank.

Question 12

What is non point source pollution?

Answer 12

Pollution that does not have a specific point of origin. These contaminants are difficult to trace to a specific site. Runoff carries nonpoint source pollution from places such as cities, farms, or feedlots.

Question 13

What is the cause of algae to form on water?

Answer 13

Occurs when there are too many nutrients, warm water temperatures, or reduced water flow.

Question 14

What affects does algal booms have on the ecosystem?

Answer 14

Harms aquatic life by clogging fish gills, reducing oxygen levels, and smothering streams, lake beds, and submerged vegetation; Some algae blooms can produce poisons that harm humans, pets, wildlife, and livestock when swallowed.

Question 15

What are ways to prevent algae booms?

Answer 15

Reduce algae blooms by using fertilizer sparingly, regularly checking and pumping septic tanks, and properly storing and disposing of animal and plant waste.

Question 16

What causes dioxins to get into the water?

Answer 16

Formed by burning trash or leaded gasoline and from manufacturing some pesticides.

Question 17

What effect does dioxins have on the ecosystem?

Answer 17

Increases cancer risk and may harm the immune system, hormone levels, and fetal development.

Question 18

What are some ways to prevent dioxins?

Answer 18

Exposure to dioxins occurs largely through the food eaten; Pay attention to local fishing advisories for fish you catch and eat yourself

Question 19

What cause mercury the pollute the ecosystem?

Answer 19

Released into the air by coal-fired power plants, it is washed into waterways; Spills and improper treatment can increase mercury levels in water.

Question 20

How does mercury affect the ecosystem?

Answer 20

Mercury can build up in fish, which then poses health risks to people and animals that eat them.

Question 21

What are ways to prevent mercury consumption?

Answer 21

Purchase mercury-free products and correctly dispose of products that contain mercury.

Question 22

How do nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) pollute the environment?

Answer 22

Present in fertilizers and can get washed up in waterways with agricultural runoff.

Question 23

How do nutrients effect the environment?

Answer 23

Causes harmful algae blooms; can also create low oxygen conditions that harm fish and other aquatic life.

Question 24

How do can you reduce the amount of nutrient pollution?

Answer 24

Reduce the use of lawn and plant fertilizers.

Question 25

How does oil and grease pollute the environment?

Answer 25

Results from leaks and spills occurring on land and on the water.

Question 26

How does oil and grease affect the environment?

Answer 26

Oil and grease can be toxic to plants and animals even in small amounts.

Question 27

How to reduce the amount the oil and grease that pollutes the environment?

Answer 27

Dispose of car oil and paints properly and never in storm sewers and drains, clean up spilled oil and grease with absorbent towels instead of hosing them into the street, and fix oil leaks from vehicles right away.