Water Quality and Toxic Metal Effects

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Questions and Answers

What primarily causes permanent hardness in water?

Sulfates and chlorides (correct)

Heavy metals

Carbonates and bicarbonates

Calcium and magnesium ions

How can temporary hardness in water be removed?

Filtering through sand

Adding chemical agents

Reverse osmosis

Boiling (correct)

What is the desirable limit of magnesium in potable water?

100 mg/L

25 mg/L

10 mg/L

50 mg/L (correct)

Which technique is commonly used to measure the hardness of water?

Spectrophotometric techniques Signup and view all the answers

What concentration of fluoride in drinking water can lead to bone fluorosis?

5.0 mg/L Signup and view all the answers

Which metal is known to be nephrotoxic?

Lead Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the kidneys?

Eliminate toxic substances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of heavy metals?

Good conductors of electricity Signup and view all the answers

Why might infants be more severely affected by mercury than adults?

Their developing nervous system is more vulnerable. Signup and view all the answers

Where are arsenic levels typically higher?

In groundwater sources compared to surface sources. Signup and view all the answers

What process creates reactive nitrogen from nitrogen gas?

Nitrogen fixation through lightning. Signup and view all the answers

What can excessive nitrogen in water lead to?

Eutrophication. Signup and view all the answers

Where is most of the phosphorus found in the body?

In bones and teeth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary form of nitrogen present in the atmosphere?

Nitrogen gas (N2). Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to nitrate poisoning in babies?

High levels of reactive nitrogen. Signup and view all the answers

Which element works closely with phosphorus to build strong bones and teeth?

Calcium. Signup and view all the answers

What type of effects can toxicity from metals cause?

Both local and systemic effects Signup and view all the answers

Which metal primarily causes constipation rather than diarrhea?

Lead Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary health risk of mercury exposure for fetuses and young children?

Impaired neurological development Signup and view all the answers

Cadmium contamination in water sources can be a result of all the following EXCEPT:

Improperly disposed plastics Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding lead toxicity is FALSE?

Lead is less absorbed by children compared to adults. Signup and view all the answers

Which form of chromium is known to cause significant health effects?

Hexavalent Chromium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of mercury?

It is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What are the antidotes for metal toxicity known as?

Chelators Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way viruses reproduce?

By invading a host cell and using its machinery Signup and view all the answers

Which protozoan is known for causing Giardiasis?

Giardia lamblia Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is primarily associated with Amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica?

Severe prolonged diarrhea with bleeding Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT associated with excess exposure to radioactive materials in water?

Bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the best method to provide a barrier against Cryptosporidium parvum?

Filtration Signup and view all the answers

What are helminths primarily classified as?

Parasitic worms Signup and view all the answers

Which helminth is commonly referred to as the beef tapeworm?

Taenia saginata Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic differentiates protozoa from viruses?

Protozoa are eukaryotic and can reproduce independently Signup and view all the answers

Who is eligible to apply for water permits in the Philippines?

Citizens of legal age and juridical persons qualified by law Signup and view all the answers

What must occur for water rights to be transferred to another person?

Transfer must be approved by the Council after due notice and hearing Signup and view all the answers

What is the measure and limit of appropriation of water according to the Water Code?

Beneficial use of water Signup and view all the answers

What consideration is NOT mentioned in preferences for the development of water resources?

Potential environmental impact Signup and view all the answers

What conditions must be met for a person to use water from private canals or reservoirs?

Withdrawal must be manual and should not harm the existing structure Signup and view all the answers

When using a watercourse to convey water, what can the water permittee do?

Divert or recapture water, factoring in normal losses Signup and view all the answers

What must be ensured before reusing wastewater for public consumption?

It must demonstrate safety for public health Signup and view all the answers

What consideration should be prioritized when constructing hydraulic works?

Preserving scenic places and historical relics Signup and view all the answers

Which categories of surface waters belong to the State according to the article?

Continuous or intermittent waters in their natural beds Signup and view all the answers

What rights do individuals have over water collected in cisterns, tanks, or pools?

They have exclusive control and disposal rights Signup and view all the answers

When does the control of legally appropriated water belong to the appropriator?

When it reaches the appropriator’s canal or aqueduct Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of water appropriation as defined in the article?

To legally acquire rights for water usage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not listed as a purpose for water appropriation?

Industrial processes Signup and view all the answers

Which waters found on private lands also belong to the State based on the article?

Rain water falling on such lands Signup and view all the answers

What sector of the economy is heavily reliant on marine life and aquaculture in the Philippines?

Marine and agricultural sectors Signup and view all the answers

What type of waters does Article 7 refer to regarding capture or collection?

Waters from continuous or intermittent springs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hydrology Overview

Hydrology is the study of water and its movement through various pathways within the hydrological cycle.
It's applied by engineers to compute river flows, water movement in soils, and evaporation rates.

Water Properties

Water is a clear, odorless, and tasteless liquid essential for most plant and animal life.
Under chemical nomenclature, its scientific name is dihydrogen monoxide, but this name is rarely used.
Water's intrinsic color is a slight blue hue, but in small quantities it appears colorless.
Water vapor, however, is essentially invisible as a gas.
Water is a universal solvent, dissolving salts, sugars, acids, alkalis, and some gases (especially oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Substances that dissolve in water are known as hydrophilic (water-loving).
Substances that do not mix well with water are known as hydrophobic (water-fearing), examples being fats and oils.

Boiling Point and Density

The boiling point of water varies depending on barometric pressure.
At the top of Mt. Everest, water boils at 68°C, while at sea level, it boils at 100°C.
Water's maximum density occurs at 3.98°C.
When cooled further, it expands to become ice, which accounts for 9% greater volume than the liquid form. This allows ice to float on water, as seen in icebergs for instance.

Water Trivia and Facts

Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh water.
Over 90% of the world's fresh water supply is stored in Antarctica.
The average adult human body contains 37 liters of water.
The human brain is comprised of 75% water.
Dehydration results if a human does not absorb enough water.
Water (in the three forms of liquid, gas and solid) is the only substance found naturally on Earth.
In a 100-year period, a water molecule spends 98 years in the ocean, 20 months as ice, 2 weeks in lakes and rivers, and less than a week in the atmosphere.
Frogs absorb water through their skin.
Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, is taller than Mount Everest when measured from its base on the ocean floor.

Hydrology Applications

Hydrology is the study of the movement of water and its use in various processes like;
Calculating river flows from rainfall.
Studying water movement in soils.
Determining evaporation rates.

Groundwater Supply

Groundwater is both a direct and indirect supply of water.
In the zone of aeration (near the surface) soil pore spaces hold both air and water, with moisture held on soil particles by capillary forces.
Below the aeration zone, is the zone of saturation, where pores are filled with water and is commonly referred to as groundwater.
A stratum containing substantial groundwater is called an aquifer.
The surface of this saturated layer is known as the water table.
Unconfined aquifers are underlain by an impervious stratum.
Confined aquifers are trapped between two impermeable layers.

Surface Water Supplies

Surface water supplies are less reliable than groundwater sources.
Water quantities fluctuate widely over time and are easily polluted.

Water Quality

Water in its natural evaporation state is nearly pure in composition.
Human activities such as industrial and domestic waste, agricultural chemicals and other contaminants add to water impurities during its passage through the hydrologic cycle.
Water quality encompasses its physical, chemical, biological, bacteriological or radiological characteristics for acceptability assessment.
Classifications typically include potable (fit for drinking), palatable (pleasant taste), contaminated (unfit for drinking due to substances present), and infected with pathogenic matter.

Physical Water Quality Parameters

Suspended solids: are inorganic material (clay, silt) and organic material (plant fibers, biological solids, algae, bacteria) or other solids resulting from human use of water bodies.
Total solids (organic and inorganic combined): measured by evaporating a sample to dryness and weighing the residue.
Dissolved solids: pass through a filter paper. This is determined by Total solids - suspended solids
Turbidity: a measure of the extent to which light is scattered by suspended matter in water. It is not a direct measure of suspended solids.
Color: can be apparent (due to suspended solids) and true (due to dissolved solids)
Measuring color typically involves comparing it with standardized colored materials or using spectrophotometric techniques common amongst industries.

Taste and Odor

Substances that produce odor in water usually also impart a taste - Mineral substances give taste without odor.
Sources include minerals, metals, salts, biological reactions, and organic substances (like petroleum products and decomposition of organics like H2S).
Measurement involves human sensory assessment (TON) or spectrophotometric techniques.
A TON of 3 is a recommended limit for drinking water.

Temperature

Water temperature is an important parameter affecting biological species activity and chemical reactions in natural water systems.
The temperature of surface waters governs the biological species present and their rates of activity.
Temperature affects the solubility of gases in water.
Sources of temperature variation in water bodies include ambient temperature, and industrial waste heat dissipation which can alter the temperature of receiving streams.
Impacts: lower temperatures lead to lower biological activity.
Fish are affected by temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.
Increased rates of biological activity at elevated temperatures also lead to accelerated growth of algae, which can cause eutrophication.

Electrical Conductivity

Measures how well water can conduct electricity.
High conductivity indicates high contaminant content.
Potable and ultra-pure water has extremely low conductivity.
Electrical conductivity is reported in micromhos per centimeter (µmhos/cm) or microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm).

Hardness

Hardness is a term used to express the properties of highly mineralized water.
Mainly caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions.
These ions are present as bicarbonates, sulfates, and sometimes chlorides and nitrates.
Groundwater is typically harder than surface water.
The sum of calcium and magnesium ions is a measure of Total Hardness.

Fluorides

Seldom found in surface waters but appears in ground water in some regions.
Toxic to humans and animals in high concentrations but beneficial at low concentrations.
Levels: 1.0 mg/L helps prevent dental cavities, 2.0 mg/L can cause tooth discoloration, >5 causes bone fluorosis, 1.5 mg/L is a limit in drinking water.
Bone fluorosis leads to osteoporosis.

Metals

Metals dissolve somewhat in water.
Excessive amounts of heavy metals can pose health hazards.
Toxic heavy metals include cadmium, lead, chromium, etc. and their exposure can lead to nervous system breakdown, kidney damage, mutation, and tumor induction.
Non-toxic metals include calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, aluminum, copper, and zinc.

Nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus)

Essential nutrients for the growth and reproduction of plants, animals and aquatic species.
Nitrogen and phosphorus regulate plant and animal growth and reproduction.
Sources include animal wastes, chemical fertilizers, and wastewater discharges. Runoff from agricultural lands and industrial activities also contribute significantly to nutrient levels in water bodies.
Excessive nitrogen can cause nitrate poisoning in babies (blue baby syndrome), and phosphorus affects water quality by causing eutrophication (algal blooms).

Organics

Come from natural sources (decay products of organic solids) or result from human activity (wastewater discharges and agricultural practices).
Two categories of dissolved organics: biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Biodegradable organics consist of starches, fats, proteins, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and esters, and can be easily used as food by micro-organisms.

Dissolved Oxygen

A key indicator of water pollution.
Higher concentration of dissolved oxygen indicates better water quality.
Actual dissolved oxygen varies depending on pressure, temperature, and salinity of water body.
Drinking water with very little or no oxygen can have an undesirable taste.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Measure of the organic material in water.
Amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material over a specified time period correlated with the amount of organic matter in water body.
High BOD in water indicates higher organic waste and potential pollution issues.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Measures all organic substances, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable, based on the amount of strong oxidizing chemicals needed.
COD values are typically higher than BOD values for the same sample, as COD considers both biodegradable and non-biodegradable organics.

Radioactive Substances

Potential sources include nuclear power plants, industries, medical research, and uranium mining.
Decay of radioactive substances releases beta, alpha and gamma radiation.
Exposure can cause genetic and somatic damage to living tissues, including harmful effects on both human and animal health and reproductive capability.
Radon gas is naturally found in groundwater and is a cause for concern as it's volatile and can be inhaled during water use activities such as showering, and drinking.

Maximum Allowable Level (MAL)

Standards commonly used to regulate specific chemicals and substances present in drinking water, with each chemical or substance having its prescribed limit.

Biological Water Quality Parameters

May cause water-borne diseases and water contact diseases.
Pathogens are biological organisms in water capable of infecting and transmitting diseases to humans.
Pathogens require a host for growth and reproduction and often survive in water for long periods of time.
Common water-borne pathogens include bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths

Additional Terms

Endemic: refers to a disease prevalent in a specific population.
Epidemic: an outbreak of an infectious disease spreading widely within an area
Pandemic: if the outbreak of an infectious disease spreads widely worldwide
Epidemiology: studies the causes of a disease spreading in a community.
Microbiology: the study of microorganisms and their activities.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts related to water quality, including hardness, essential minerals, and the health implications of heavy metals and other elements. Test your knowledge on the effects of these substances, particularly focusing on their presence and impact on human health.