Water Pollution Review

Which of the following would be an indication that a body of water was contaminated by human wastewater? 

• low BOD and a fecal coliform bacteria count of zero
• high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and high BOD  
• low BOD and low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus 
• low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and a fecal coliform bacteria count of zero

Dead zones, such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico that exists off the coast of Louisiana, are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT

• a reduced number of shellfish
• fish die-off events
• low nitrogen concentrations
• low oxygen concentrations in the water

The pollution of waterways creating conditions in which productivity is decreased and gills of bottom dwelling organisms are clogged is due to

• erosion and sedimentation
• runoff and flooding
• urbanization
• mining dams

an underground tank containing bacteria that treat waste water is a

• septic tank
• leach field
• water treatment plant

What is the most important water quality factor affecting aquatic organisms?

• pH
• DO
• BOD
• turbidity

Hypoxia is the condition of _________________?

• a lack of oxygen
• a lack of Hydrogen atoms
• a surplus of oxygen
• both high temperature and high oxygen levels

What is the relationship between the amount of available dissolved oxygen and level of water quality?

• There is more dissolved oxygen in the water when the water quality is high
• There is more dissolved oxygen in the water when the water quality is low
• There is little dissolved oxygen in the water when the water quality is high
• There is more dissolved oxygen in the water when the temperature of the water is warm.

A source of lead

• old pipes
• lower IQ
• inorganic chemicals
• Lake Houston

These are all examples of organic chemical water pollution:

• gasoline; pesticides; dioxins
• plastics; mercury; uranium
• radium; solvents; lead
• bacteria; heat; gasoline

Yards can be sources for

• pesticides; plant nutrients and sediment
• uranium; dioxins; pathogens
• acids; lead; plastics
• sediment; cholera; solvents