Water Vocab

Question 1

sediments

Answer 1

run off of soul from logging deforestation, mining, or plowing

blocks light in the water, which harms primary producers and visual predators
can also settle in water and harm benthic organisms
(living near the seafloor)

Question 2

nutrient

Answer 2

nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer, runoff, and sewage spills or Biowaste from dead plants or animals

causes eutrophication and/or toxic algal blooms. Eutrophication can lead to dead zones. Toxic blooms are caused from species of foraminifera that rapidly reproduce.. Others produce Domoic acid which causes seizures in marine mammals

Question 3

toxic chemicals

Answer 3

different industries can discharge into water either illegally or legally with permits

can cause wildlife death in water and harm human health if in drinking water

Question 4

thermal

Answer 4

warm water from powerplants, factories, or from the sun after deforestation

warmer water lowers dissolved oxygen and warmer water may be out of a species range of tolerance

Question 5

pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa)

Answer 5

untreated sewage, feed lots, dog poop, run off from lawns

humans who drink untreated water can be infected and cause sickness or death

Question 6

heavy metals

Answer 6

mining and burning fossil fuels

harms humans and wildlife health, causes brain and organ damage. Pb and Hg are examples that cause brain damage and neurological effects. Hg in aquatic animals can turn into toxic methylmecury thru the actions of certain bacteria

Question 7

litter

Answer 7

dumped into water or runs off into water from cities with rain (microplastics)

chokes wildlife, endocrine disruptors can cause reproductive damage

Question 8

nitrates

Answer 8

a component of fertilizers
nitrogen and oxygen ions
soluble in water

Question 9

fecal coliform

Answer 9

a bacteria that hides in the intestines of warm blooded animals,, carried through water,, indicate a high risk of pathogens being in the water, but they are not harmful in themselves

Question 10

biological oxygen demand

Answer 10

the amount of oxygen decomposers and bacteria need to perform their anaerobic duties

Question 11

exxon valdez oil spill

Answer 11

• alaska
• poured 11 million tons of oil into the ocean
• cleaned thru skimming