Deck 22: Water Pollution

Question 1

What is the origin of over half of the total mass of pollutants entering streams and lakes? 

A) nonpoint pollution from agriculture 
B) point pollution from industrial plants 
C) point pollution from sewage treatment plants 
D) nonpoint pollution from roadside runoff

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is an indicator of water pollution? 

A) any chemical at a high enough level to cause harm 
B) high levels of algae 
C) high levels of E. coli in the water 
D) high levels of toxic chemicals

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is a point source of water pollution? 

A) a livestock feedlot 
B) urban land 
C) cropland 
D) an offshore oil well

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which class of pollutants can cause a population explosion of aerobic bacteria? 

A) inorganic chemicals 
B) organic chemicals 
C) oxygen-demanding waste 
D) disease-causing agents

Question 5

Which method has no effect on reducing thermal water pollution? 

A) using cooling towers 
B) directing heated water away from the ecologically vulnerable shore zone 
C) discharging hot water into ponds, allowing it to cool, and then reusing the same water 
D) using more electricity

Question 6

What can deplete oxygen in a body of water? 

A) viruses and parasitic worms 
B) sediment and suspended matter 
C) organic compounds such as oil, plastics, solvents, and detergents 
D) organic wastes

Question 7

What is a significant source of water pollution in terms of total mass? 

A) fertilizer 
B) water-soluble inorganic chemicals 
C) oxygen-demanding waste 
D) sediment

Question 8

Which class of pollutants can cause excessive growth of algae? 

A) oxygen-demanding waste 
B) plant nutrients 
C) radioactive substances 
D) organic chemicals

Question 9

What does thermal pollution cause? 

A) the lowering of the respiratory rates of aquatic organisms 
B) it can kill temperature-adapted organisms by means of thermal shock 
C) the raising of the solubility of oxygen in water 
D) the improved growth of spawning fish

Question 10

To which category do acids,salts,and metals belong? 

A) inorganic chemicals 
B) organic plant nutrients 
C) inorganic plant nutrients 
D) oxygen-demanding wastes

Question 11

What is one effect of waste heat? 

A) decreased water quality 
B) oxygen-depleted water 
C) algae blooms 
D) increased salinity

Question 12

Which substance can be depleted from water by heat,organic wastes,and inorganic plant nutrients? 

A) particulate matter 
B) oxygen 
C) nitrogen 
D) minerals

Question 13

Which of the following is a nonpoint source of water pollution? 

A) a logged area 
B) a coal mine 
C) a sewage treatment plant 
D) an electric power plant

Question 14

What decreases photosynthesis in bodies of water? 

A) sediment or suspended matter 
B) heat 
C) inorganic plant nutrients 
D) disease-causing organisms

Question 15

What is a good indicator of water quality? 

A) the number of coliform bacteria in the water body 
B) the number of ducks in the water body 
C) the number of fish in the water body 
D) the number of snakes in the water body

Question 16

What influences oxygen levels in the water? 

A) Sewage run-off has little adverse effect on oxygen levels. 
B) Inorganic nutrients such as fertilizers increase oxygen levels. 
C) Organic wastes reduce the amount of oxygen in the water supply. 
D) Heat can increase dissolved oxygen and make fish less vulnerable to disease.

Question 17

To which category do nitrates and phosphates belong? 

A) organic plant nutrients 
B) disease-causing agents 
C) oxygen-demanding wastes 
D) plant nutrients

Question 18

What is the acceptable level of coliform bacteria colonies in drinking water,according to the World Health Organization? 

A) 0 per 100 millilitres of water sample 
B) 5 per 100 millilitres of water sample 
C) 10 per 100 millilitres of water sample 
D) 100 per 100 millilitres of water sample

Question 19

Which statement describes the relationship between oxygen in rivers and environmental factors? 

A) The amount of oxygen in rivers increases as the water temperature falls. 
B) The amount of oxygen in rivers increases as the water temperature rises. 
C) Oxygen dissolved in rapidly flowing rivers is replaced slowly. 
D) The amount of oxygen in rivers increases in dry seasons.

Question 20

What will a scientist NOT likely use to determine the presence and concentration of water pollutants? 

A) computer models 
B) satellite photographs 
C) analysis of indicator species 
D) chemical analysis of water samples

Question 21

Which stage of cultural eutrophication occurs last? 

A) algae blooms 
B) increase in aerobic bacteria 
C) fish kills 
D) increase in anaerobic bacteria

Question 22

Which element do authorities try to limit in pollution prevention approaches in freshwater lake ecosystems? 

A) calcium 
B) sulphur 
C) phosphorus 
D) nitrogen

Question 23

What causes the death of game fish in cultural eutrophication? 

A) salt 
B) acid deposition 
C) suffocation from lack of oxygen 
D) toxic substances in the water

Question 24

Under what conditions might an oxygen sag curve occur? 

A) during spring floods 
B) when oxygen-demanding wastes are added to the water 
C) upstream from a sewage treatment plant 
D) in a fast-flowing river

Question 25

Which statement characterizes differences between lakes and rivers related to water pollution? 

A) Acid deposition and fallout represent more serious hazards to lakes than rivers. 
B) Eutrophication is a natural increase of water pH. 
C) Rivers are more vulnerable than lakes to contamination by plant nutrients, oil, toxins, and pesticides. 
D) Natural processes are the main cause for cultural eutrophication in rivers but not in lakes.

Question 26

Which Great Lake was first to show intense effects of water pollution? 

A) Lake Superior 
B) Lake Ontario 
C) Lake Huron 
D) Lake Erie

Question 27

What is among the successes of Canada's Experimental Lakes Area? 

A) The experiments have helped shed light on the nitrogen problem. 
B) The experiments have demonstrated how greenhouse gases would be released from flooded peat bogs. 
C) The experiments have been used to study black bear migrations. 
D) The experiments have been used to study waterfowl migrations.

Question 28

Which statement accurately describes the sensitivity of a lake to various factors? 

A) Lakes less vulnerable to pollution than streams because of flushing and larger volumes of water. 
B) As lake water temperature decreases, oxygen levels decrease. 
C) Lakes are more vulnerable than streams to contamination by plant nutrients, oil, pesticides, and toxic substances that can destroy bottom life. 
D) Stratification increases levels of dissolved oxygen in lakes, especially in the bottom layer.

Question 29

What percentage of Canada's surface freshwater is contained in the Great Lakes? 

A) about 30% 
B) about 50% 
C) about 70% 
D) about 90%

Question 30

What percentage of water enters the Great Lakes and leaves by the St.Lawrence River? 

A) less than 1% 
B) between 1 and 8% 
C) between 8 and 16% 
D) between 16 and 32%

Question 31

What has reduced since the massive pollution control program for the Great Lakes was instituted in 1972? 

A) algal blooms 
B) the amount of fishing (sport and commercial) 
C) swimming 
D) the dissolved oxygen level

Question 32

Which of the following is an input control over cultural eutrophication? 

A) planting underwater plants near sewage discharge sites 
B) putting fences around stockyards 
C) banning the use of phosphate detergents 
D) harvesting excess weeds

Question 33

What contributed to improvements in the Great Lakes' water quality? 

A) banning phosphate detergents 
B) banning the dumping of old cars 
C) banning nitrate detergents 
D) banning the dumping of household cleaners

Question 34

Which of the following shows the correct relationship? 

A) Slow-flowing rivers are less susceptible to pollutants than fast-flowing streams. 
B) The width and depth of the oxygen sag curve depend on water volume and flow rate. 
C) The width and depth of the oxygen sag curve depend on river width and bottom substrate. 
D) Streams can never recover from degradable pollutants if they are overloaded.

Question 35

What causes large fish kills and contamination of drinking water in most developed countries? 

A) oxygen levels rising in cooler waters 
B) increased water temperatures from industrial plants 
C) sewage treatment plants with holding ponds 
D) accidental release of toxic industrial chemicals

Question 36

Which strategy would NOT reduce cultural eutrophication? 

A) pumping oxygen into lakes 
B) instituting land-use control to prevent nutrient runoff 
C) preventing as much outflow or drainage as possible from a lake 
D) dredging lake bottoms

Question 37

What percentage of lakes in the United States suffer from a high degree of cultural eutrophication? 

A) about 20% 
B) about 40% 
C) about 60% 
D) about 70%

Question 38

What is one cleanup method for controlling cultural eutrophication? 

A) using advanced waste treatment 
B) planting excess plants near sewage discharge sites 
C) treating plant growth with herbicides 
D) harvesting excess weeds

Question 39

What was one outcome of the water pollution and pollution control laws that were enacted in Canada in the 1970s? 

A) decreases in disease-causing agents and oxygen-demanding wastes 
B) reduced or eliminated point-source pollution on rivers 
C) more municipalities taking their water supplies from the downstream side of the city 
D) decreases in the number and quality of wastewater treatment plants

Question 40

Which statement describes the sewage situation that exists in most developing countries? 

A) Discharge of untreated sewage is a growing problem. 
B) People draw water directly from sewage discharge sites. 
C) Waste treatment plants lack a tailing pond. 
D) Laws exist for controlling water pollution.

Question 41

Which organisms are least likely to be killed by heavy oil components? 

A) crabs 
B) clams 
C) marine birds 
D) oysters

Question 42

Which of the following is a chemical method for cleaning up oil spills? 

A) coagulating agents 
B) floating booms 
C) vacuuming skimmer boats 
D) absorbent pads

Question 43

Which oil company owned the oil tanker that spilled a large amount of oil off the coast of Alaska in 1989? 

A) Sunoco 
B) Alaska 
C) Gulf 
D) ExxonMobil

Question 44

What did 100 countries agree to ban from dumping,under the London Dumping Convention of 1972? 

A) highly toxic pollutants and high-level radioactive wastes in sanitary landfills 
B) highly toxic pollutants and high-level radioactive wastes into space via missiles 
C) highly toxic pollutants and high-level radioactive wastes in the open sea beyond boundaries of national jurisdiction 
D) garbage and low-level radioactive waste in the open sea beyond boundaries of national jurisdiction

Question 45

Which rating would a water quality specialist give to Canada's groundwater pollution problem? 

A) It is a low-risk ecological problem but a high-risk health problem. 
B) It is a high-risk ecological problem but a low-risk health problem. 
C) It is a medium-risk ecological and health problem. 
D) It is a high-risk ecological and health problem.

Question 46

What percentage of the world's population lives on or within 260 kilometres of a coastline? 

A) about 50% 
B) about 40% 
C) about 30% 
D) about 20%

Question 47

What is a factor in how an oil spill affects the environment? 

A) depth of oil well 
B) time of day 
C) distance of spill from shore 
D) the company involved

Question 48

Which strategy is NOT likely to protect groundwater? 

A) using advanced sewage treatment 
B) monitoring aquifers near landfills and underground tanks 
C) banning disposal of hazardous wastes in sanitary landfills and deep-injection wells 
D) requiring liability insurance for old and new underground tanks

Question 49

Which strategy can prevent water from being polluted by oil? 

A) not requiring double hulls on oil tankers 
B) prohibiting oil drilling in ecologically sensitive areas 
C) instituting a national energy policy based on increasing reliance on fossil fuels 
D) drilling closer to shore

Question 50

What is the leading nonpoint source of water pollution? 

A) agriculture 
B) runoff from city streets and storm sewers 
C) municipal landfills 
D) industrial wastes

Question 51

What is one source of groundwater contamination? 

A) sulfuric acid deposition in a lake 
B) the drilling of residential wells 
C) abandoned hazardous waste dumps 
D) geological seismic surveys

Question 52

Which aquatic ecosystem is capable of diluting,dispersing,and degrading large amounts of sewage,sludge,and oil? 

A) an estuary 
B) the coastal parts of the ocean 
C) a deep-water ocean area 
D) a swiftly flowing stream

Question 53

Which statement characterizes the impact of oil on the environment? 

A) Oil evaporates and undergoes decomposition. 
B) Estuaries and salt marshes suffer the least damage from oil pollution because they can be effectively cleaned up. 
C) Recovery is slower if the oil is spilled in warm water than in cold water. 
D) The environment recovers more slowly from spills of crude oil than from spills of refined oil.

Question 54

Which potential source of oil pollution presents the least hazard to the environment? 

A) the washing of oil tankers and associated release of oily water 
B) pipeline leaks 
C) normal operation of offshore wells 
D) tanker accidents and blowouts at offshore drilling rigs

Question 55

Which organism is NOT likely to be affected by ocean debris? 

A) zooplankton 
B) whales 
C) sea turtles 
D) seals

Question 56

What is the only effective way to protect groundwater? 

A) treat all water from underground sources 
B) use monitoring wells 
C) prevent contamination 
D) cover all wells carefully

Question 57

How can coastal waters be protected from excess water pollution? 

A) by deregulating type and density of coastal development 
B) by eliminating discharge of toxic pollutants 
C) by installing sea grass beds 
D) by promoting no development along shores near oil exploration

Question 58

Which substance is included in ocean dumping bans? 

A) hay bales 
B) sewage sludge 
C) industrial waste 
D) iron

Question 59

What is the most immediate problem encountered by seabirds coated with oil? 

A) loss of buoyancy and insulation, causing death from exposure 
B) immediate death 
C) poisoning due to ingestion of oil 
D) vulnerability to predators

Question 60

What is the cause of the majority of oil pollution in the ocean? 

A) tanker accidents 
B) runoff from land 
C) blowouts (rupture of a borehole of an oil rig in the ocean) 
D) environmental terrorism

Question 61

Water pollution may interfere with the ability of organisms to find mates or food by scent.

Question 62

Which component of a waste water management system is found in many U.S.and Canadian cities? 

A) wastewater lagoons 
B) separate storm water and sewer lines 
C) combined storm water and sewer lines 
D) septic tanks

Question 63

Solar disinfection and cloth filtering are water purification systems,the use of which is encouraged in the U.S.Clean Water Act.

Question 64

To further the sustainable use of water supplies,environmentalists are least likely to call for a decentralization of control of water supply and quality.

Question 65

Bottled water often contains contaminates,such as bacteria and harmful organic compounds.

Question 66

Removing toxins and hazardous wastes from the water by means of sewage treatment plants can reduce water pollution.

Question 67

Eutrophication is a condition in an aquatic ecosystem where high nutrient concentrations stimulate blooms of algae.

Question 68

Bottled water is many times more expensive than tap water,and about 25% of it is tap water anyway.

Question 69

Production of plastic bottles for bottled water contributes to environmental problems.

Question 70

Eutrophic lakes have murky,highly productive waters in which many clear water species cannot survive.

Question 71

Water pollution threatens wildlife but not the health of human beings.

Question 72

In which of the following combinations is the type of sewage treatment correctly matched with the type of process? 

A) advanced-physical and chemical processes 
B) primary-biological process 
C) secondary-mechanical process 
D) secondary-chemical process

Question 73

Which type of process is secondary sewage treatment? 

A) It is the process of educating the public to prevent water pollution. 
B) It is a physical process. 
C) It is a series of specialized chemical and physical processes. 
D) It is a biological process.

Question 74

Detergents from household cleaners can threaten human health by causing nervous system damage and reproductive disorders.

Question 75

Which substance is largely removed by the combined effects of primary and secondary wastewater treatment? 

A) toxic metals and synthetic organic chemicals 
B) radioactive isotopes 
C) organic oxygen-demanding wastes 
D) organic pesticides

Question 76

How can livestock growers control runoff of animal wastes from feedlots and barnyards? 

A) by diverting runoff of animal wastes into detention basins 
B) by locating feedlots on gently sloping land so rainwater will naturally cleanse the stockyards 
C) by removing buffers between stockyards and surface water 
D) by increasing animal density

Question 77

How can farmers reduce pesticide water pollution? 

A) by not using biological methods of pest control 
B) by applying pesticides freely to crops during rain 
C) by not using integrated pest management 
D) by controlling runoff

Question 78

What is the most ecologically responsible way to dispose of sewage sludge? 

A) deposit it into conventional landfills 
B) dump it into the deep trenches of the ocean 
C) treat it with heat to kill harmful bacteria and remove toxic metals, and then use it as fertilizer 
D) incinerate it

Question 79

Which of the following is NOT likely to occur in an area that depends on surface water for its drinking supply? 

A) Water is run through sand filters. 
B) Water is treated with ozone and fluoride to kill bacteria. 
C) Water is purified with activated charcoal in a filtering strategy. 
D) Water is allowed to settle to allow suspended matter to fall out

Question 80

How can farmers sharply reduce fertilizer runoff? 

A) by planting carbon-fixing plants 
B) by planting buffer zones between cultivated fields and surface water 
C) by using large amounts of fertilizer 
D) by installing a transition zone between cultivated fields and surface water