Question 1

Technology-based effluent limitations are defined by a states' receiving water quality standard.

Accepted Answer

Technology-based effluent limitations are defined by the level of pollutant control that can be achieved using available technology, regardless of the water quality in the receiving body of water.

Question 2

A conventional pollutant
A) is one that, upon exposure, will cause death, disease, abnormalities, or physiological malfunctions
B) is a default category for all pollutants that are not categorized as toxic
C) is an identified pollutant that is well understood by scientists
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Conventional pollutants are those that are well understood by scientists in terms of their sources, effects, and control methods. These pollutants typically include substances like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and lead, among others, which have been extensively studied and regulated due to their known impacts on health and the environment.

Question 3

Use designation for a water body
A) gives the biological and chemical water attributes to meet water quality standards
B) is one of two components of receiving water quality standards
C) identifies the intended purposes of a water body
D) all of the above
E) (b) and (c) only

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use designation for a water body
A) gives...

Question 4

Receiving water quality standards and total maximum daily loads are equivalent.

Accepted Answer

Water quality standards and total maximum daily loads are not equivalent. Water quality standards provide the desired level of water quality for a specific water body, while total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) establish the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs are used to establish pollutant reduction goals and develop pollution control strategies.

Question 5

U.S. policymakers classify highly diverse surface waters into groups, which include:
A) bays and estuaries
B) wetlands
C) aquifers
D) all of the above
E) (a) and (b) only

Accepted Answer

Aquifers are not classified as surface waters as they are underground formations that contain and transport water. Bays and estuaries are areas where freshwater mixes with saltwater, while wetlands are areas of land that are periodically or permanently saturated with water. Considering these definitions, the best choice is (a) and (b) only, which are bays and estuaries and wetlands.

Question 6

According to the textbook application, the largest oil tanker spill in history
A) occurred when two tankers collided in 1979 off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago
B) involved the Exxon Valdez in 1989
C) was associated with the Hebei Spirit in 2007
D) occurred as the result of an explosion of a deepwater oil rig

Accepted Answer

The largest oil tanker spill in history occurred in 1979 when two tankers, the Atlantic Empress and the Aegean Captain, collided off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, resulting in the largest ship-based oil spill.

Question 7

Sources of water runoff include
A) farms
B) highways
C) publicly owned treatment works
D) all of the above
E) (a) and (b) only

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sources of water runoff include
A) farms
B) highways
C)...

Question 8

An identified pollutant that is well understood by scientists is called
A) a toxic pollutant
B) a conventional pollutant
C) a nonconventional pollutant
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

A conventional pollutant is a type of pollution that is well understood by scientists and is regulated by government agencies. These pollutants include things like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Toxic pollutants and nonconventional pollutants are not as well understood or regulated.

Question 9

In the U.S., the two components of the receiving water quality standards are
A) the BAT and the BCT
B) use-support status and effluent limitations
C) the use designation and water quality criteria
D) the zero discharge goal and the NPDES

Accepted Answer

The receiving water quality standards in the U.S. are composed of two components: the use designation and water quality criteria. The use designation refers to the approved use of the water body, such as for drinking water or recreational activities, while the water quality criteria specify the maximum allowable levels of pollutants in the water to protect the designated use. The other answer choices refer to different aspects of water regulations, but do not specifically relate to receiving water quality standards.

Question 10

The phenomenon that explains the interdependence of water resources and the natural movement of water from the atmosphere to the surface, to beneath the ground, and back to the atmosphere is the
A) estuarial cycle
B) runoff process
C) hydrologic cycle
D) watershed progression

Accepted Answer

The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, describes the movement of water through the earth's systems, including the atmosphere, surface water, and groundwater. It involves processes such as evaporation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff, and is a crucial aspect of water management and conservation.

Question 11

According to the benefit-cost analysis of the Clean Water Act presented in the text, water quality standards set by the Clean Water Act are too stringent.

Accepted Answer

The benefit-cost analysis presented in the text indicates that the Clean Water Act has resulted in net economic benefits and that water quality standards have been effective in reducing pollution levels. The analysis does not suggest that the standards are too stringent.

Question 12

The hydrologic cycle illustrates the
A) natural process that links all water resources together
B) natural movement of water from the ocean to wetlands
C) link between point and nonpoint sources
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, is a natural process that links all water resources together, including precipitation, surface water, groundwater, and water vapor in the atmosphere. It involves the continuous movement of water from one reservoir to another, driven by solar energy and gravity.

Question 13

Among the three major goals defined in the Clean Water Act are the
A) fishable-boatable goal
B) use designation goal
C) no toxics in toxic amounts goal
D) no ocean dumping goal

Accepted Answer

The answer of Among the three major goals defined in...

Question 14

According to the textbook application, the Chesapeake Bay
A) has been deteriorating for decades
B) is the largest estuary in North America
C) has been addressed by a recent presidential executive order
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The textbook application states that the Chesapeake Bay has been deteriorating for decades, is the largest estuary in North America, and has been addressed by a recent presidential executive order. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 15

Mercury is the leading pollutant for U.S. bays and estuaries.

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen is the leading pollutant for U.S. bays and estuaries, primarily due to runoff from agricultural activities, which contributes to nutrient pollution and can lead to issues like algal blooms.

Question 16

Based on the benefit-cost analysis of the Clean Water Act presented in the text, Total Social Benefits (TSB) exceed Total Social Costs (TSC) and hence U.S. water quality standards are set at the allocatively efficient level.

Accepted Answer

The statement assumes that the Clean Water Act's regulations lead to an allocatively efficient level of water quality, but this is not necessarily true as the benefit-cost analysis can vary, and achieving allocative efficiency depends on whether the marginal social benefits equal the marginal social costs, which is not guaranteed by the Act's implementation alone.

Question 17

Which of the following are important components of the hydrologic cycle?
A) evaporation
B) transpiration
C) precipitation
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All three components of evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation are important parts of the hydrologic cycle as they describe the movement and transformation of water between the Earth's surface and atmosphere. Evaporation is the process of water changing from a liquid to a gas state and rising into the atmosphere. Transpiration is the release of water vapor by plants as part of their metabolic functions. Precipitation is the return of water to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow or other forms of precipitation such as fog or dew. Together, these three components regulate the distribution and availability of water across the planet's surface, making them essential for life and ecosystem function.

Question 18

All of the following are point sources, EXCEPT
A) publicly-owned treatment works (POTW)
B) factory smokestack
C) recreational motor boat
D) urban runoff

Accepted Answer

Urban runoff is a non-point source of pollution, meaning it comes from multiple sources and does not originate from a single identifiable location. In contrast, POTWs and factory smokestacks are examples of point sources, as they release pollutants from a specific location. Similarly, recreational motor boats can also be considered point sources if they are releasing pollutants directly into the water from a specific location.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
A) The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) was enacted in response to the BP Deepwater Horizon spill.
B) The Ocean Dumping Act ends dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste.
C) The Great Lakes Legacy Act provides federal funding to address contamination of the Great Lakes
D) Included in the Water Quality Act of 1987 were requirements for states to establish nonpoint source pollution program

Accepted Answer

The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) was actually enacted in 1990, four years prior to the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. OPA was created to strengthen the nation's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills.

Question 20

When states set receiving water quality standards
A) they must set the same standards for all water bodies within their boundaries
B) benefit-cost analysis must be used
C) the use designation need not be consistent with national goals
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

None of the statements are true. 
A) States can set different standards for different water bodies that have different designated uses. 
B) Benefit-cost analysis is not required for setting water quality standards. 
C) The use designation must be consistent with national goals, such as the Clean Water Act.

Quiz 14: Defining Water Quality: the Standard-Setting Process

Technology-based effluent limitations are defined by a states' receiving water quality standard.

A conventional pollutant

Use designation for a water body

Receiving water quality standards and total maximum daily loads are equivalent.

U.S. policymakers classify highly diverse surface waters into groups, which include:

According to the textbook application, the largest oil tanker spill in history

Sources of water runoff include

An identified pollutant that is well understood by scientists is called

In the U.S., the two components of the receiving water quality standards are

The phenomenon that explains the interdependence of water resources and the natural movement of water from the atmosphere to the surface, to beneath the ground, and back to the atmosphere is the

According to the benefit-cost analysis of the Clean Water Act presented in the text, water quality standards set by the Clean Water Act are too stringent.

The hydrologic cycle illustrates the

Among the three major goals defined in the Clean Water Act are the

According to the textbook application, the Chesapeake Bay

Mercury is the leading pollutant for U.S. bays and estuaries.

Based on the benefit-cost analysis of the Clean Water Act presented in the text, Total Social Benefits (TSB) exceed Total Social Costs (TSC) and hence U.S. water quality standards are set at the allocatively efficient level.

Which of the following are important components of the hydrologic cycle?

All of the following are point sources, EXCEPT

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

When states set receiving water quality standards