Water Quality and Pollution Quiz

Water pollution is any alteration of the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological properties of a water body resulting in the impairment of its purity or quality. Its consequences include impairment of water purity and quality.

Effluent discharge is wastewater flowing out of a manufacturing plant, industrial plant, or any known source, including domestic, commercial, and recreational facilities.

The purpose of treatment is to alter the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological character or composition of any waste or wastewater to reduce or prevent pollution.

Sediment loading adversely affects fish and other aquatic life through sedimentation in the streambed and suspension of sediments in the water column.

Areas with high erosion potential at mines include tailings piles, waste rock dump, spoil piles, roadways, and other land areas disturbed during and shortly after the construction phase of a mining operation.

Abandoned mines are significant sources of sediment loading to surface waters because they may have little or no sediment controls in place.

Mine land disturbance causes an increased potential for erosion, which can increase sediment loading to surface waters.

DAO 2016-08 is a reference to a document or policy related to the effects of mining on surface water, highlighting the importance of managing sediment loading and erosion at mining sites.