Deck 17: Water Pollution Suffocating the Gulf

Question 1

What is a dead zone?

A)waters so depleted of oxygen that aquatic life suffers
B)waters too hot for aquatic life to survive
C)water too salty for humans to drink
D)an area of water with high densities of plastic
E)water with any nutrients in it

Answer 1

waters so depleted of oxygen that aquatic life suffers

Question 2

What can trigger the process of eutrophication?

A)hot water discharged into a body of water
B)an excess of nutrients discharged into the water
C)oil rigs operating in the ocean
D)too many fish in a body of water
E)too much dissolved oxygen in the water

Answer 2

an excess of nutrients discharged into the water

Question 3

What is hypoxia?

A)when your body temperature drops below 98.6°F
B)where there is too much dissolved oxygen in water
C)where there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water to support local organisms
D)when your veins and arteries constrict to prevent heat loss
E)a disease affecting fish,often caused by pollution

Answer 3

where there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water to support local organisms

Question 4

The difference between point source and nonpoint source pollution is that _________.

A)point source pollution sources can be identified,while nonpoint source pollution sources are more obscure
B)point source pollution sources can always be remedied
C)nonpoint source pollution is due to improper chemical storage
D)nonpoint source pollution is located next to the body of contaminated water
E)None of these answer choices are correct.

Question 5

Which is an example of a point source pollution source?

A)farm water runoff
B)a ruptured sewer pipe
C)acid rain
D)sediment pollution

Question 6

What plant nutrients are found in animal waste and fertilizer that can cause eutrophication?

A)nitrogen
B)phosphorous
C)oxygen
D)carbon dioxide
E)both nitrogen and phosphorous

Question 7

An effect of hypoxic waters can be _________.

A)loss of millions of dollars in revenue to the seafood industry
B)a decrease in some species like oysters
C)fish moving further away from coastal dead zones
D)commercial fishermen and -women have a harder time catching fish
E)All of these answer choices are effects of hypoxic waters.

Question 8

What alerted researchers to a problem in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico?

A)high raw sewage levels
B)excess oil pollution
C)low pH levels
D)low measured oxygen levels
E)high measured water temperature

Question 9

Refer to Infographic 1.What is the leading cause of impaired surface water in the United States?

A)nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus
B)metals
C)low oxygen levels
D)pathogens
E)pesticides

Question 10

Why are sources of point source pollution considered easier to "fix" than nonpoint source pollution sources?

Question 11

Why should we care about water pollution?

Question 12

Most pollutants from nonpoint source pollution enter the water from _________.

A)the air
B)stormwater runoff
C)other streams
D)the ocean
E)broken or leaky pipes

Question 13

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Water can hold an unlimited amount of oxygen.
B)Water can hold less oxygen than air can.
C)Underwater organisms need oxygen.
D)A small decrease in dissolved oxygen can have an effect on aquatic life.
E)Underwater organisms use oxygen in cellular respiration.

Question 14

The end result of eutrophication is _________.

A)increased nitrogen content of the water
B)decreased nitrogen content of the water
C)increased oxygen content of the water
D)decreased oxygen content of the water

Question 15

Which of the following statements about water pollution is TRUE?

A)Air pollution can cause water pollution.
B)There is a short list of substances that cause water pollution.
C)Water pollution comes only from chemicals introduced into a body of water.
D)Only surface water is at risk of becoming polluted.
E)The origin of water pollution is always easy to identify and treat.

Question 16

Where have dead zones been found?

A)Gulf of Mexico
B)Pacific coast region
C)Great Lakes
D)Atlantic coast
E)Dead zones have been found in all of these locations.

Question 17

Which causes of water pollution are due to human activity?

A)thermal pollution
B)stormwater runoff
C)raw sewage
D)underground chemical storage
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 18

Which characteristic is TRUE of all water pollution?

A)Chemical contaminants cause all water pollution.
B)There are no organic substances that cause water pollution.
C)All water pollution degrades the quality of water.
D)Water pollution is always caused by humans.
E)Water pollution is always caused by a local source.

Question 19

What is the immediate effect of excess nutrients entering a body of water as runoff pollution?

A)a decrease of sunlight due to algal blooms
B)an increase in the number of decomposers
C)an increase in algal blooms
D)a decrease in underwater photosynthesis
E)a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels

Question 20

Which is an example of nonpoint source pollution?

A)a sewage treatment pipe leaking
B)a discharge pipe from an industrial site
C)runoff water from lawns
D)animal waste from a feedlot pumped into a river

Question 21

You are conducting a biological assessment on a stream.Which of the following would you see the most of if the stream has good water quality?

A)caddisfly larvae
B)crayfish
C)leeches
D)dragonfly larvae
E)aquatic worms

Question 22

A watershed is _________.

A)a storage facility for groundwater
B)an area of land over which rain and other sources of water flow to drain into a body of water
C)an area in which people dig drinking water wells
D)where a river meets the ocean
E)the evaporation of river water

Question 23

Which of the following would affect the quantity of groundwater in a watershed?

A)parking lot covered by pavement
B)stream that has been channelized
C)drained wetlands for agriculture
D)suburban lawns
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 24

If water flows more slowly through watershed areas,will this increase or decrease the number of pathogens found in the water that eventually flows into the ending river or lake?

Question 25

What was the goal of the Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force?

A)to eliminate the hypoxic zone
B)to take the farmers along the Mississippi watershed to court for water pollution
C)to map the Gulf of Mexico watershed
D)to reduce the hypoxic zone
E)to make the water in the Mississippi River crystal clear

Question 26

If eutrophication leads to the abundance of nutrients plants need to grow and survive,why is it considered a bad thing?

Question 27

Discuss some ways that human alteration of watersheds has affected the quality of surface water and the quantity of groundwater.

Question 28

What is one of the leading causes of infection globally?

A)exposure to pathogen-polluted waters
B)drinking water with heavy metals in it
C)swimming in water with toxic chemicals
D)oil spills into watersheds
E)None of these answers are correct.

Question 29

Runoff potential of nitrogen fertilizer from a farm can vary due to _________.

A)amount applied
B)rainfall amount
C)differences in terrain
D)the type of crop planted
E)all of the above answers

Question 30

If you find pollution at a certain point in a river,would you look at the watershed upstream or downstream to determine its origin?

A)upstream
B)downstream
C)neither
D)origin would not be able to be determined
E)outside the watershed

Question 31

The Mississippi River watershed includes land area from _________.

A)Texas
B)Louisiana
C)Mississippi
D)Minnesota
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 32

What percentage of U.S.waters meet the fishable/swimmable goal for pathogens in recreational waters today?

A)25
B)56
C)65
D)80
E)100

Question 33

What is one method to determine how healthy an ecosystem is?

A)determining the point source pollutant
B)carrying out watershed management
C)conducting biological assessment
D)using controlled drainage pipes
E)counting the number of organisms present

Question 34

Which is NOT an aspect of the Clean Water Act?

A)regulating municipal point source pollution
B)setting pollution standards
C)allowing a small percentage of pathogens in recreational water
D)regulating industrial point source pollution
E)allowing a small percentage of pathogens in drinking water

Question 35

How can water quality be assessed?

A)measuring dissolved oxygen levels
B)measuring pH
C)measuring nitrates
D)counting benthic macroinvertebrates
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 36

Where can pollutants from a watershed end up?

A)surface water
B)groundwater
C)the air
D)both surface water and groundwater
E)both groundwater and the air

Question 37

What are performance standards?

A)excess levels of pollution present in environmental waters
B)acceptable levels of pollutants that can be present in environmental waters
C)the number of pathogens allowed in drinking water
D)regulation of nonpoint source pollution
E)permits issued to companies to allow industrial discharge into waterways

Question 38

Let's say you become interested in studying the amount of water pollution in a stream that runs through your backyard.Without special equipment,how could you perform a biological assessment on the stream?

Question 39

Finding only leeches and aquatic worms in a biological assessment would indicate _________.

A)some low levels of pollution
B)slightly diminished oxygen levels
C)clear water
D)well-oxygenated water
E)higher levels of pollution

Question 40

What was the dramatic event which helped spur passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act?

A)an oil spill in the ocean
B)the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico
C)the Cuyahoga River caught fire
D)toxic chemicals were released into the Mississippi River
E)people were becoming sick from drinking water

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT an agricultural best management practice to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in runoff waters?

A)testing the soil frequently
B)planting winter crops in the off season
C)using GPS technology to guide farm equipment
D)planting trees as windbreaks
E)using drainage systems that remove water from the soil

Question 42

Refer to Infographic 7.What was the difference in the end of season crop yield (metric tons/ha)between the controlled drainage plot and the free drainage plot?

A)12.7
B)14.0
C)13.0
D)1.3
E)26.7

Question 43

What is a major nonpoint source of nitrogen pollution in suburban areas?

A)pet waste
B)lawn fertilizer
C)rain gardens
D)native plants
E)green roofs

Question 44

In their efforts to address hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico,the Gulf Task Force's recommendations consider _________.

A)social impacts
B)economic realities
C)environmental needs
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Question 45

The switch to growing foods that leak nitrogen into the soil has resulted in _________.

A)ahigher level of nitrogen in the watershed runoff
B)better nutrient content of the food
C)easier growing seasons for the farmers
D)poorer sales of produce
E)increased use of synthetic nitrogen

Question 46

Which crop releases the most nitrogen into the soil?

A)oats
B)corn
C)alfalfa
D)rye
E)Plants do not release nitrogen into the soil.

Question 47

How can you explain to your neighbor that her perfectly manicured,monocultural,heavily fertilized lawn may be contributing to the destruction of ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico?

Question 48

What are riparian areas?

A)land areas close enough to water to be affected by it
B)mountain areas with streams
C)lake and river bottoms
D)areas where streams begin
E)agricultural fields with runoff areas

Question 49

What do healthy riparian areas provide?

A)a quick path for water to enter the river or lake
B)filtration of runoff water before it enters the river or lake
C)excellent surfing conditions
D)optimal areas for industrial construction
E)increased hypoxic conditions

Question 50

How did Strock and Hicks compare agriculture runoff on Nettiewyynt Farm?

A)adding cattle to the pastureland
B)installing two drainage treatments
C)converting the untouched prairie to corn pastures
D)adding more fertilizer to the pastures
E)letting both pastures freely drain water

Question 51

Why is the prevention of soil erosion one of the best management practices to reduce the amount of pollution being delivered to the Mississippi River?

Question 52

During a normal,nondrought year,by how much was nutrient loss reduced on the Nettiewyynt Farm in Strock and Hick's experiment?

A)25%
B)30%
C)50%
D)75%
E)90%

Question 53

Discuss the pros and cons of using drainage pipes for agricultural fields.

Question 54

Refer to Infographic 6.Which of the following would be appropriate land use for Zone 3?

A)industrial projects
B)managed forests
C)undisturbed forests
D)residential homes
E)light agricultural use

Question 55

What do drainage pipes drain off farms?

A)water
B)phosphorus
C)nitrogen
D)both water and nitrogen
E)water,phosphorus,and nitrogen

Question 56

Refer to Infographic 7.How much water is lost through free drainage in mm?

A)40
B)2.4
C)12.7
D)80
E)14.0

Question 57

Refer to Infographic 6.How much land,in feet,does the U.S.Department of Agriculture recommend setting aside in managed and undisturbed forest to protect land in riparian areas?

A)20
B)60
C)15
D)75
E)95

Question 58

Which is likely the easiest problem to address concerning increased nitrogen pollution?

A)the growth of nitrogen leaky crops
B)the use of synthetic fertilizers
C)the use of drainage pipes
D)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 59

Which of the following can increase infiltration of stormwater in suburban areas?

A)trees
B)green roofs
C)curb cutouts
D)rain gardens
E)All of these answer choices are correct.

Question 60

In many scientists' opinions,what is the key to saving the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico?

A)organic farming
B)watershed management
C)tighter control of point source pollution
D)harsher punishments and fines for noncompliance with the Clean Water Act
E)purification of the water entering the Gulf

Question 61

Science Literacy Use Infographic 7 below to answer the next questions:
How much water was lost through drainage on control plots with free drainage?

A)80 m
B)80 mm
C)40 mm
D)40 kg

Question 62

Science Literacy Use Infographic 7 below to answer the next questions:
What was the approximate end-of-season yield in metric tons per hectare for crops grown in controlled drainage conditions?

A)12.7
B)14.0
C)2.4
D)40

Question 63

Science Literacy Use Infographic 7 below to answer the next questions:
What was the difference in nitrate-nitrogen loss when comparing control and test plots?

A)Control plots lost 0.6 kg/ha more than test plots.
B)Control plots lost 0.6 kg/ha less than test plots.
C)Test plots lost 0.6 kg/ha more than control plots.
D)Test plots lost 1.8 kg/ha less than control plots.

Question 64

If it is excess nutrients which are feeding the algae blooms and lowering the oxygen content in the water,that process is called

A)nitrification.
B)hypoxia.
C)eutrophication.
D)nutrient cycling.

Question 65

Science Literacy Use Infographic 7 below to answer the next questions:
How much water was saved using controlled drainage instead of free drainage?

A)80 mm
B)40 mm
C)30 mm
D)10 mm

Question 66

Match each term in the left-hand column to the statement that best defines it.

Question 67

If you wanted to check the water quality in a stream that feeds a river in the watershed,what could you do?

A)check for insects and crayfish inhabiting the bottom of the stream.
B)look to see if the water looks crystal clear,which means the water is healthy.
C)examine the animals living around the stream for health problems.

Question 68

When is the target date for the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force goal to reduce nonpoint source pollution and restore damaged areas?

A)2015
B)2018
C)2020
D)2035
E)2050

Question 69

You decide to help improve the water quality in a river upstream that feeds into your beach.Your suggestion is to plant a buffer zone of vegetation close to a river to slow runoff and increase the health of the watershed feeding the waters at your beach.Which of the following would be a benefit of your suggestion?

A)Plants store nutrients in their tissues,removing them from the water.
B)Vegetation allows rainwater and runoff to soak into the ground.
C)Plant roots stabilize river banks and prevent erosion.
D)Shade from trees cools water,which can then hold more oxygen.
E)These are all benefits to planting more vegetation in river areas.

Question 70

Science Literacy Use Infographic 7 below to answer the next questions:
What was the result of using drainage blocks to keep water in the field level during the growing season?

A)Less water and nutrients lost through drainage and larger yields in the control plots.
B)More water and nutrients lost through drainage and larger yields in the test plots.
C)Less water and nutrients lost through drainage and larger yields in the test plots.
D)More water and nutrients lost through drainage and smaller yields in the test plots.

Question 71

You know there is a river that feeds into the waters at the beach.There are animal pastures and croplands on land near the river which would not directly discharge waste into the river,but it could still run off and reach the river.You hypothesize if this is the cause of the water conditions at the beach,it would be considered:

A)point source pollution.
B)nonpoint source pollution.
C)effluent pollution.

Question 72

Refer to Infographic 9.Choose three strategies from the Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration plan.Explain what the goals of those strategies are and,if implemented,how the strategies will help reach those goals.

Question 73

What could be the effects of runoff and land use in the watershed that feeds the waters at the beach?

A)Water quality and quantity could both be affected.
B)Water quality but not quantity could be affected.
C)Water quantity but not quality could be affected.
D)Neither water quality nor quantity could be affected.