Water Quality and Pollution Quiz
45 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What best defines pollution?

  • The natural changes occurring within habitats
  • An increase in biodiversity within ecosystems
  • A condition that enhances the environment
  • Any alteration to the environment producing a condition that is harmful to living things (correct)

    • Which of these factors contributes to the concentration of pollution?

  • Widespread use of natural fertilizers
  • Natural decomposition processes
  • Low water flow rates in streams (correct)
  • Increased rainfall diluting contaminants

    • Which category of pollution source is characterized by a specific, defined area?

  • Non-point source
  • Natural source
  • Point source (correct)
  • Diffuse source

    • How does increasing pH levels affect organism diversity in aquatic environments?

    <p>It decreases organism diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about pure water (H2O)?

    <p>It is composed solely of water molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organisms are considered biological indicators of water quality?

    <p>Fish and plankton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of dissolved oxygen in water quality?

    <p>It is essential for the health of aquatic life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a higher occurrence of organisms requiring lots of oxygen indicate about water quality?

    <p>The water quality is good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by the concentration of pollutants reported in parts per million (ppm)?

    <p>One unit of the element in one million units of solution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can negatively affect the levels of dissolved oxygen in water?

    <p>High turbulence due to the speed of water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of microorganisms are most often monitored to assess potential health issues in water?

    <p>Bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by a ‘parts per billion’ (ppb) concentration in water quality testing?

    <p>One unit of the element can be found in one billion units of the solution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT affect dissolved oxygen levels in water?

    <p>The presence of dissolved pollutants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum dosage of arsenic that can be given to a 1.75 kg duck to reach its LD50?

    <p>22.75 mg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which population percentage does the LD50 represent?

    <p>Half of the population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much caffeine would a 55 kg person need to consume to reach the LD50 of approximately 175 mg/kg?

    <p>9625 mg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If one can of Monster Energy Drink contains 300 mg of caffeine, how many cans would it take to reach the lethal dose for a 55 kg person?

    <p>32 cans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be a consequence of consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine daily?

    <p>Jitteriness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about LD50 is true?

    <p>It varies greatly among different substances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is potential risk associated with animal testing for substances?

    <p>It can underestimate the toxicity for humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the LD50 of caffeine for humans stated in the content?

    <p>150-200 mg/kg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key method for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions?

    <p>Implementing scrubbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gas is primarily produced by motor vehicles and is known as the 'silent killer'?

    <p>Carbon Monoxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone?

    <p>Electrical discharges and sunlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can air quality be measured?

    <p>By levels of pollutants and emission estimates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern with increasing carbon dioxide levels in the environment?

    <p>It contributes to the greenhouse effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about circumpolar winds is true?

    <p>They can carry pollution over hundreds of kilometers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of pollution is primarily associated with industrial processes and the burning of fuels containing sulfur?

    <p>Chemical pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do catalytic converters play in reducing air pollution?

    <p>They convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary causes of the Greenhouse Effect?

    <p>Greenhouse gases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a process that contributes to the transport of airborne chemicals?

    <p>Chemical breakdown in the source</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does dilution reduce pollution concentration?

    <p>By mixing pollutants with large quantities of air or water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do volcanoes and forest fires play in global warming?

    <p>They emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor does NOT influence the distance that airborne chemicals travel?

    <p>The population density of the area</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the water table?

    <p>The upper surface of the groundwater zone in the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is dispersion in the context of pollution?

    <p>The scattering of a substance away from its source</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes how pollutants are concentrated in the environment?

    <p>Through the accumulation of chemicals via transport mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the top of the groundwater zone referred to as?

    <p>Water table</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT describe heavy metals?

    <p>They are lighter than water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of micro-organisms in the biodegradation process?

    <p>They actively break down organic substances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Phytoremediation is primarily used to?

    <p>Reduce harmful chemical concentrations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do hydrocarbons generally affect soil?

    <p>They can clog soil pores and increase concentration of toxins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental conditions slow down biodegradation during winter?

    <p>Low temperature and limited oxygen supply</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which heavy metal is specifically identified as hazardous to health?

    <p>Lead</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic do all hydrocarbons share?

    <p>Composed solely of carbon and hydrogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Pollution Overview

    • Pollution is any alteration to the environment that creates a harmful condition for living things.
    • Pollution sources can be categorized as point sources (small, defined areas) or non-point sources (wide areas, hard to pinpoint).
    • Examples of point sources include city streets, industrial plants, and specific farm operations.
    • Examples of non-point sources include rural homes, agriculture, and animal feedlots.

    Dilution and Concentration

    • Dilution means pollution becomes less concentrated.
    • Factors that can dilute pollution in a stream or the air include increased water or air volume.
    • Factors that can concentrate pollution include weather patterns, physical barriers, and industrial processes.

    Water Quality

    • Water quality in Canadian rivers varies across different land use categories.
    • Data from 2016-2018 shows percentages of different water quality levels (excellent, good, fair, marginal, poor) for various land categories (agricultural, forestry, mining, populated, mixed pressures, undeveloped). Percentage values varied widely by land category.

    Aquatic Environments and Chemical Factors

    • The pH of the water affects aquatic life. Increasing pH decreases diversity
    • Pure water is made up of solely water molecules.
    • Impurities such as dissolved oxygen, pH, heavy metals, plant nutrients (nitrogen/phosphorus), pesticides, salts (sodium chloride/magnesium sulfate), can negatively affect aquatic organisms.

    Water Quality Categories

    • Water quality is assessed by provincial and federal governments in five categories: human drinking water, recreation (swimming), livestock drinking water, irrigation, and protection of aquatic life.

    Biological and Microbiological Indicators

    • Scientists use living organisms in water to assess water quality (biological indicators).
    • Examples of biological indicators include fish, plants, worms, insects, plankton, and protozoa.
    • Microorganisms like bacteria in water provide information on the level of harmful bacteria.
    • Macroinvertebrates (e.g., mayfly, caddisfly, beetle, stonefly) are used to assess quality. Good quality water has a high variety of organisms, especially those requiring higher oxygen levels.

    Dissolved Oxygen

    • Dissolved oxygen is vital for aquatic life and microorganisms.
    • Factors influencing dissolved oxygen include temperature, wind speed, photosynthesis rates in aquatic plants, and the number of organisms using the oxygen

    Quantifying Pollution

    • Pollution concentrations are often reported as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb). One part of a substance per one million/billion parts of solution.

    Measuring Chemicals

    • Parts per million (ppm) is a measurement of the concentration of something in a larger amount of something else. For instance, one ppm equals one unit of something per one million units of something else.
    • Different units of measurement (ppm, ppb, ppt) determine the concentration at increasing small quantities.

    Toxicity

    • Toxicity measures how harmful a substance is. LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%) is the amount of substance that kills half of tested animals at a given dose.
    • Different substances have differing LD50 values, impacting their toxicity.
    • Mixing different pesticides creates a more dangerous chemical combination.

    Risk Management

    • Substances can have different effects on animals versus humans.
    • Animal testing for toxicity can be misleading.
    • Exposure quantity, type, and duration all determine the risk of harmful chemicals.

    Other Topics

    • There are various methods of dealing with pollutants (e.g., dispersal, dilution, biodegradation, phytoremediation)
    • Different pollutants (e.g., hydrocarbons, heavy metals, carbon monoxide) have different sources, effects, and methods of measurement.
    • Pollution is not limited to one area; it can travel long distances via air and water.
    • Important concepts such as the polar vortex, atmospheric pollutants (like sulfur and carbon dioxide), and their impact on the environment/humans is covered.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Pollution Science 9 PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on water quality and pollution sources with this comprehensive quiz. Explore the factors affecting pollution, the significance of dissolved oxygen, and the role of biological indicators. Ideal for students of environmental science and biology.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser