Water Pollution

Question 1

What is a point source pollutant?

Answer 1

Pollution that can be traced to a single event or agent.

Question 2

What is non-point source pollution?

Answer 2

Pollution that is the accumulation of many events or many unrelated agents.

Question 3

How can industries be a point source of pollution?

Answer 3

They can release toxins into water or air. They can contaminate water when used as a solvent, to clean materials or to cool machinery.

Question 4

How can agriculture be a source of pollution?

Answer 4

Agriculture can pollute water through chemical use (pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers), animal waste, and soil erosion.

Question 5

How can construction sites be a source of water pollution?

Answer 5

Removing ground cover can produce soil erosion. Paints, solvents, and adhesives can get into the water. Debris can wash into streams and clog them.

Question 6

What are some sources of pollution in cities?

Answer 6

Leaking fluids from cars. Road salt. Gardening chemicals. Litter.

Question 7

How can a natural disaster be a source of water pollution?

Answer 7

When hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes destroy structures, the debris can enter waterways, chemicals can pollute water, and eroded soil can enter streams.

Question 8

How can accidents be a source of water pollution?

Answer 8

Fire-fighting chemicals, oil and other chemical spills, and smoke can enter surface water, ground water, or air.

Question 9

How are surface waters polluted?

Answer 9

Chemicals can be discharged into water, precipitation and run-off can dissolve chemicals, and chemicals can accumulate in oceans.

Question 10

Why is it hard to clean ocean pollution?

Answer 10

The size and depth of oceans disperses pollution. Pollution can accumulate when rivers empty into the ocean, waves and currents can move pollution quickly..

Question 11

How can pollution on land move to water resources?

Answer 11

Precipitation and run-off can dissolve or carry pollution to streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.

Question 12

How can air pollution enter water resources?

Answer 12

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can react with precipitation to form acid rain.

Question 13

What physical characteristics could change because of water pollution?

Answer 13

Dissolved gases, suspended particles (clarity), temperature and acidity.

Question 14

What factors can affect the amount of dissolved oxygen in water?

Answer 14

Warmer water holds less dissolved gases. Large amounts of bacteria decomposing biomass can use up oxygen, creating dead zones.

Question 15

Why are suspended particles and debris a pollutant?

Answer 15

They interfere with certain uses of water such as a habitat for organisms or a place for recreation.

Question 16

How can temperature changes affect the quality of water?

Answer 16

Some organisms cannot tolerate extremely warm or cold water. Warm water decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen.

Question 17

What is a toxin?

Answer 17

A chemical that can damage an organism or its habitat.

Question 18

What is a Pathogen?

Answer 18

A disease-causing organism

Question 19

What is biomagnification?

Answer 19

The concentration of contaminants increases as one moves up the food chain.

Question 20

What are some harms from different types of water pollution?

Answer 20

Death, disease, birth defects, wildlife and aquatic habitats, uses of water such as personal use or recreation.

Question 21

Why does human activity cause acid mine drainage?

Answer 21

Mined rock and tailings (mine waste) are brought to the surface, are broken into smaller pieces (increased surface area) and immediately exposed to weathering agents such as wind, water, and temperature differences.

Question 22

What chemicals can lead to acid mine drainage problems?

Answer 22

Minerals and ores containing sulfide or sulfate anions, along with heavy metals such as iron, copper, zinc and nickel.

Question 23

What environmental problems are associated with acid mine drainage?

Answer 23

Death of organisms (especially decomposers) leads to loss of diversity and build-up of biomass. Insect larvae and fish eggs are unable to survive.

Question 24

How are large solids removed at the water treatment plant?

Answer 24

They pass through screens and other filters.

Question 25

How are organic solids and oils removed at the wastewater treatment plant?

Answer 25

Water enters settlement tanks, where gravity pulls down organic solids and skimmers remove oils that float on the surface.

Question 26

How are toxic chemicals removed from water at the treatment plant?

Answer 26

Chemical remediation causes reactions that neutralize harmful chemicals.

Question 27

How are pathogens removed from water at the treatment plant?

Answer 27

Chemicals and good bacteria are used to remove pathogens.

Question 28

What standards must water meet before being returned to rivers, streams or lakes?

Answer 28

They must meet standards of temperature, dissolved oxygen, acidity, and clarity.

Question 29

How does the federal EPA affect water quality?

Answer 29

Through regulations under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other legislation. They coordinate enforcement of their regulations with state and local governments.

Question 30

What is the difference between a sewer system and a stormwater system?

Answer 30

Sewer systems include water from sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers. Storm water is from outside sources such as precipitation, irrigation, and outdoor water use.

Question 31

Why should wastewater be treated?

Answer 31

Clean water is critical to aquatic plants and animals, human consumption, and recreation.

Question 32

What are some ways in which state and local governments can clean up water?

Answer 32

They can have litter removal programs, proper solid waste disposal and wastewater treatment, and reclamation incentives. They are also responsible for issuing water use permits and discharge permits under state and federal regulations.

Question 33

What is water quality monitoring?

Answer 33

Taking samples from surface water sources to evaluate physical characteristics, biodiversity, and specific organism indicators.