Water Quality Flashcards
microscopic bubbles of gaseous oxygen mixed in water and available to aquatic organisms for respiration
Dissolved Oxygen
a physical property that measures the heat in an object compared with a standard. In substances with a higher temperature, molecules have greater average kinetic energy. As temperature decreases, the average kinetic energy of the molecules also decreases.
Temperature
a measure of how acidic or how basic (alkaline) a liquid is;
pH
a measure of how clear water is
Turbidity
an organism used to monitor the health of an ecosystem
Bioindicators
a measure of how suitable water may be for drinking
Potability
chemical compounds needed for organisms to survive, create DNA and energy distribution; enter water systems from fertilizers, sewage, manure runoff, natural deposits
nitrates
Chemical compounds needed for organisms to survive; enter water systems from human and animal waste, laundry, cleaning and industry discharge.
Phosphates
waste matter such as water or human urine or solid waste; the system carrying away waste water and human waste from houses and other buildings through large underground pipes or passages.
Sewage
process when too many nitrate and phosphate compounds build up in water systems, causing algal blooms which use up all nutrients and space resulting in reduced dissolved oxygen in the water. The decrease in dissolved oxygen kills all other organisms in the body of water.
Eutrophication
Which process would MOST LIKELY increase the dissolved oxygen level in a freshwater lake?
A. Algae bloom
B. Lake turnover
C. Photosynthesis
D. respiration
C. Photosynthesis
Why should farmers be concerned about unused nitrates contaminating water supplies?
A. Unused nitrates reduce algae growth
B. Unused nitrates increase oxygen in water
C. Excessive amounts of nutrients cause overpopulation of fish
D. Excessive amounts of nutrients speed up eutrophication
D. Excessive amounts of nutrients speed up eutrophication
Which groundwater contaminant contained in fertilizers and pesticides comes from farms?
A. Bacteria
B. Mercury
C. Nitrates
D. Sodium
C. Nitrates
Which would be the MOST LIKELY cause of large numbers of fish dying in a stream ?
A. A lack of nitrogen
B. High levels of mercury
C. Decreased carbon dioxide
D. Low dissolved oxygen concentration
D. Low dissolved oxygen concentration
Which would lead to the greatest reduction of dissolved oxygen in a lake?
A. Decreased number of fish in the lake
B. Increased number of fish in the lake
C. Increased nutrients and algal blooms
D. Decreased number of plants surrounding the lake
C. Increased nutrients and algal blooms
Which is the BEST example of point source pollution?
A. Runoff from fields
B. Pesticides sprayed into the air
C. Oil spill from a boat in the Atlantic ocean
D. Smoke from multiple industries in a large city
C. Oil spill from a boat in the Atlantic Ocean
Why is it important to monitor turbidity levels of a water system?
A. Frogs will destroy fish eggs in murky water
B. Fish are better able to find food in cloudy water
C. Water can only be used for recreation when it is clear
D. Suspended particles diffuse sunlight and absorb too much
D. Suspended particles diffuse sunlight and absorb too much
Which BEST determines the health of a lake used as a source of freshwater?
A. Its depth and width
B. Its temperature and pH
C. Its location and depth
D. Its temperature and depth
B. Its temperature and pH
Pure water is neutral. What is the pH of pure water?
A. 0
B. 7
C. 10
D. 14
B. 7
Which event will MOST LIKELY cause increased turbidity in a lake or pond?
A. Increase in runoff
B. Decrease in runoff
C. Increase in aquatic plants
D. Decrease in aquatic plants
A. Increase in runoff
In which way does a flood have the greatest impact on local water quality?
A. It causes aquifers to run out of water
B. It cleans the water and decreases the turbidity
C. It allows many foreign materials to enter the water
D. It moves animals to new locations and increases biological diversity
D. It moves animals to new locations and increases biological diversity
If a body of water has high turbidity levels, what can MOST LIKELY be concluded?
A. It has a low pH
B. It is unsafe to drink
C. It is too hot to drink
D. It contains a lot of chemicals
B. It is unsafe to drink
Which substance will MOST LIKELY cause a decrease in pH if it is leaked into a NC waterway?
A. Soap
B. Bleach
C. Drain cleaner
D. Hydrochloric acid
D. Hydrochloric acid
Which is the greatest impact of sediment flowing into a river?
A. Sediment poisons fish
B. Sediment prevents light from reaching plants
C. Sediment interferes with the ability of fish to find mates
D. Sediment increases the depth of rivers and streams, reducing the amount of flowing water
B. Sediment prevents light from reaching plants
Which would MOST LIKELY happen if too many nutrients entered an estuary?
A. Nutrients would be used up by fish and plants, keeping the estuary in balance
B. Algal blooms would lower dissolved oxygen levels, causing fish to suffocate
C. Algal blooms would decrease, leaving few food resources for fish
D. Nutrients would sink to the bottom, increasing soil deposition
B. Algal blooms would lower dissolved oxygen levels, causing fish to suffocate
If a newly discovered fish species is found to live in mildly acidic water, which is the BEST estimate of the pH range for the water?
A. 0 - 2
B. 5-6
C. 7-8
D. 13-14
B. 5-6
A lake experiences eutrophication because of excess nutrients. How would the lake appear?
A. Clear and blue
B. Oily and greasy
C. Murky and full of algae
D. Orange and rust colored
C. Murky and full of algae
Which will BEST show lakes, rivers, and streams are healthy?
A. Large amounts of algae
B. Large amounts of nitrates
C. Large amounts of decomposers
D. Large amounts of dissolved oxygen
D. Large amounts of dissolved oxygen
Which of these would make a good bioindicator?
A. Current
B. Insect
C. Rock
D. Water
B. Insect
Which chemical elements in fertilizers pollute stormwater runoff and contribute to excessive plant growth?
A. Iron and lead
B. Copper and zinc
C. Calcium and magnesium
D. Phosphorus and nitrogen
D. Phosphorus and nitrogen
