Podcast
Questions and Answers
A good indicator of water quality is the number of ___
A good indicator of water quality is the number of ___
Coliform bacteria
A body of water can be depleted of its oxygen by ___
A body of water can be depleted of its oxygen by ___
Organic wastes
Which of the following statements is false?
Which of the following statements is false?
Waste heat can ___
Waste heat can ___
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Nitrates and phosphates are examples of ___
Nitrates and phosphates are examples of ___
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One class of pollutants that can cause a population explosion of aerobic bacteria is ___
One class of pollutants that can cause a population explosion of aerobic bacteria is ___
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One class of pollutants that can cause excessive growth of algae is ___
One class of pollutants that can cause excessive growth of algae is ___
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Which of the following decrease(s) photosynthesis in bodies of water?
Which of the following decrease(s) photosynthesis in bodies of water?
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Thermal pollution ___
Thermal pollution ___
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Which of the following is a point source of water pollution?
Which of the following is a point source of water pollution?
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Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?
Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?
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To determine the presence and concentration of water pollutants, scientists are least likely to use ___
To determine the presence and concentration of water pollutants, scientists are least likely to use ___
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Over half of the total mass of pollutants entering streams and lakes comes from ___
Over half of the total mass of pollutants entering streams and lakes comes from ___
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Oxygen sag curves ___
Oxygen sag curves ___
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Which of the following statements is false?
Which of the following statements is false?
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The water pollution and control laws enacted in the 1970s have done all but which one of the following?
The water pollution and control laws enacted in the 1970s have done all but which one of the following?
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In most developed countries, large fish kills and contamination of drinking water are caused by ___
In most developed countries, large fish kills and contamination of drinking water are caused by ___
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Which of the following statements about lakes is true?
Which of the following statements about lakes is true?
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Which of the following stages of cultural eutrophication occurs last?
Which of the following stages of cultural eutrophication occurs last?
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Which of the following is not an input control over cultural eutrophication?
Which of the following is not an input control over cultural eutrophication?
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About ___ of the 100,000 medium to large lakes in the United States suffer from some degree of cultural eutrophication.
About ___ of the 100,000 medium to large lakes in the United States suffer from some degree of cultural eutrophication.
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The common limiting factor in freshwater lakes most often emphasized in pollution prevention approaches is ___
The common limiting factor in freshwater lakes most often emphasized in pollution prevention approaches is ___
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The Great Lakes possess ___ of all the surface freshwater in the United States.
The Great Lakes possess ___ of all the surface freshwater in the United States.
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Since 1972, the massive pollution control program for the Great Lakes has reduced ___
Since 1972, the massive pollution control program for the Great Lakes has reduced ___
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All of the following contributed to improvements in Great Lakes' water quality except ___
All of the following contributed to improvements in Great Lakes' water quality except ___
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One fish in ___ taken from the Great Lakes is unsafe for human consumption.
One fish in ___ taken from the Great Lakes is unsafe for human consumption.
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Experts rate groundwater pollution as a ___
Experts rate groundwater pollution as a ___
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Crude estimates indicate that up to ___ of usable groundwater in the United States is contaminated.
Crude estimates indicate that up to ___ of usable groundwater in the United States is contaminated.
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Sources of groundwater contamination include ___
Sources of groundwater contamination include ___
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Ocean dumping bans are in effect for all the following substances except ___
Ocean dumping bans are in effect for all the following substances except ___
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Of the following organisms, the ones least likely to be affected by ocean debris are ___
Of the following organisms, the ones least likely to be affected by ocean debris are ___
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Study Notes
Water Pollution Key Concepts
- Coliform Bacteria: A significant indicator of water quality.
- Organic Wastes: Lead to oxygen depletion in water bodies.
- Inorganic Nutrients: Fertilizers can adversely impact aquatic ecosystems.
- Effects of Waste Heat: Causes algae blooms, depletes oxygen, and decreases water quality.
- Inorganic Plant Nutrients: Nitrates and phosphates are primary examples that promote algal growth.
- Oxygen-Demanding Wastes: Can lead to an explosion of aerobic bacteria populations in water.
- Sediment: Reduces photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems.
- Thermal Pollution: Can kill temperature-adapted organisms through thermal shock.
- Point Sources of Pollution: Offshore oil wells are categorized as point sources.
- Non-Point Source of Pollution: Logged forests contribute as a non-point source.
- Pollutant Detection: Satellite photographs are least useful for identifying water pollutants.
- Agricultural Pollution: Over half of stream and lake pollutants are sourced from agriculture.
- Oxygen Sag Curves: Occur when oxygen-demanding wastes are introduced to water.
- Vulnerabilities: Lakes are more susceptible to contamination compared to streams.
- Cultural Eutrophication Stages: Increase in anaerobic bacteria is the final stage.
- Control Measures: Harvesting excess weeds is not considered an input control for eutrophication.
- Cultural Eutrophication Statistics: About one-third of the U.S. medium to large lakes are experiencing this issue.
- Nutrient Limitation: Phosphorus is often the limiting factor in freshwater pollution prevention.
- Freshwater Resources: The Great Lakes contain 95% of the U.S. surface freshwater.
- Coliform Level Reduction: Major pollution control programs since 1972 have lowered coliform levels in the Great Lakes.
- Great Lakes' Improvements: Banning nitrate detergents did not contribute to water quality improvements.
- Fish Consumption Risk: One in four fish from the Great Lakes is unsafe for human consumption.
- Groundwater Pollution Rating: Experts classify groundwater pollution as a low-risk ecological and high-risk health issue.
- Contamination Estimates: Approximately one-fourth of usable groundwater in the U.S. may be contaminated.
- Sources of Groundwater Contamination: Include deep well disposal of hazardous waste, abandoned dumps, and industrial waste lagoons.
- Ocean Dumping Regulations: Dredge spoils are not under ocean dumping bans.
- Organism Resilience: Zooplankton are among the organisms least susceptible to ocean debris exposure.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts related to water pollution with these flashcards covering important terms and definitions. Learn about indicators of water quality, the impact of organic and inorganic wastes, and the effects on aquatic ecosystems. Perfect for students studying environmental science or related subjects.
