Question 1

Air pollution can cause water pollution.

Accepted Answer

Air pollution can lead to the deposition of pollutants into water bodies, such as acid rain, which can lead to water pollution. Additionally, air pollution can also cause the formation of harmful algal blooms, which can release toxins into water sources.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Pollution at a specific point in a river can be traced back to its source in the watershed upstream. Pollution can accumulate and travel downstream, making it difficult to determine its origin if only looking downstream. Therefore, it is important to start the investigation upstream to identify potential sources of pollution.

Question 3

Is eutrophication typically a point source or nonpoint source pollution type?

Accepted Answer

Eutrophication is primarily caused by the excess nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, entering water bodies from various nonpoint sources such as runoff from agriculture, wastewater treatment plants, and urban areas. Though industrial discharge and sewage can also contribute to eutrophication, it is not primarily a point source pollution type.

Question 4

Where can pollutants from a watershed end up?

Accepted Answer

Pollutants from a watershed can end up in both surface water and groundwater. Surface water includes rivers, lakes, and oceans, while groundwater is the water found below the surface in soil and rock formations. Surface water pollution can occur through direct discharge of pollutants into water bodies, while groundwater pollution can occur from contaminated runoff and infiltration of pollutants into the soil.

Question 5

Why should we care about water pollution?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should we care about water pollution?...

Question 6

Point source pollution describes pollution sources that are always located immediately next to the contaminated water, thus making them easy to identify.

Accepted Answer

Point source pollution refers to pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or a ditch, but it does not necessarily have to be located immediately next to the contaminated water.

Question 7

Which characteristic is true of all water pollution?

Accepted Answer

All water pollution degrades the quality of water. While chemical contaminants may be a common cause of water pollution, organic substances and other factors such as sedimentation, thermal pollution, and bacteria can also contribute to water pollution. Water pollution can also be caused by natural events such as algae blooms or volcanic activity. While human activity is a common cause of water pollution, it can also be caused by natural sources or events. Additionally, water pollution can come from both local and non-local sources.

Question 8

The end result of eutrophication is:

Accepted Answer

Eutrophication leads to excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. When these plants die, they sink to the bottom and are decomposed by bacteria, which consumes oxygen. As a result, the oxygen content of the water decreases, leading to hypoxia or anoxia, which can be harmful to aquatic animals.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss some ways that human alteration of...

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Animal waste and fertilizer contain high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are primary plant nutrients that can cause eutrophication when they enter bodies of water. This can lead to an excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, which depletes the oxygen in the water and harms aquatic organisms. Therefore, both options A and B are correct.

Question 11

What is hypoxia?

Accepted Answer

Hypoxia is a condition where there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water to support local organisms. This can occur due to factors such as pollution, excess nutrients, and algae blooms.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of If eutrophication leads to the abundance of...

Question 13

A watershed is:

Accepted Answer

A watershed is an area of land where all water, including rain, snowmelt, and groundwater, flows to a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It is a geographic region that is defined by the path that water travels when it falls on the land and eventually reaches a particular body of water. Watersheds are important because they provide a way to manage and protect water resources.

Question 14

The difference between point source and nonpoint source pollution is that:

Accepted Answer

Point source pollution comes from a single, identifiable source such as a factory or sewage treatment plant, while nonpoint source pollution comes from diffuse sources such as runoff from agricultural fields or urban areas. Nonpoint source pollution can be more difficult to identify and control since it is not coming from a single source.

Question 15

A watershed area covered by concrete will do what to the quantity of groundwater?

Accepted Answer

When a watershed area is covered by concrete, the rainwater cannot seep into the ground and recharge the groundwater. This causes a decrease in the quantity of groundwater.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are point source pollution sources considered...

Question 17

Which is an example of a point source pollution source?

Accepted Answer

A ruptured sewer pipe is an example of a point source pollution source because the source of the pollution can be traced to a single location. Farm water runoff and sediment pollution are examples of non-point source pollution sources, as they come from diffuse sources and cannot be linked to a single point of origin. Acid rain is also a type of non-point source pollution because it is caused by emissions from multiple sources that can be carried over large distances by wind and weather patterns.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of If water flows more slowly through watershed...

Question 19

Which causes of water pollution are due to human activity?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed are causes of water pollution due to human activity. Thermal pollution is caused by the release of heated water from industrial processes or power plants. Stormwater runoff carries pollutants from urban and agricultural areas into bodies of water. Raw sewage, if not properly treated, can release harmful bacteria and viruses into waterways. Underground chemical storage can leak pollutants into soil and groundwater, which can ultimately contaminate surface water.

Question 20

In which scenario would it be easier to identify a source of the eutrophication: a river with a large watershed or a river with a small watershed?

Accepted Answer

A smaller watershed would have fewer potential sources of eutrophication, making it easier to identify the source.

Quiz 15: Water Pollution- Into the Gulf: the Makings of a Dead Zone, Far Upstream- Food Resources