Water Quality

If a body of water has high turbidity levels, what can most likely be concluded?

• It has a low pH.

• It is unsafe to drink.

• It is too hot to drink.

• It contains a lot of chemicals.

Which best determines the health of a lake used as a source of freshwater?

• its depth and width

• its temperature and pH

• its location and depth

• its temperature and depth

Which would most affect the health of fish in a local pond?

• The daily release of hot water into the pond from a local factory.

• A storm temporarily stirring up water and sediments in the pond.

• The occasional erosion of sediments into the pond from a nearby field.

• A slight increase in the number of people who fish in the pond for food.

Which is most likely to happen when river water temperature rises above 35°C?

• The water will become polluted.

• The dissolved oxygen levels will increase.

• There will be negative health effects on wildlife.

• There will be decreased evaporation from the river.

Which effect does fertilizer runoff have on North Carolina lakes and streams?

• The fertilizer causes some organisms to thrive, but hurts others.

• The fertilizer causes the water to become hotter, killing certain fish.

• The fertilizer causes fish to become sterile, preventing them from spawning.

• The fertilizer causes the water to become over-oxygenated, killing aquatic plants.

Which groundwater contaminant contained in fertilizers and pesticides comes from farms?

• bacteria

• mercury

• nitrates

• sodium

Why does fertilizer pollution stimulate the growth of algae in a pond?

• Algae are producers and use the fertilizer’s nutrients to rapidly multiply.

• Algae are producers and use the fertilizer’s nutrients during decomposition.

• Algae are parasites and absorb energy from the fertilizers in order to grow.

• Algae are herbivores that feed off of the plants, which grow due to the excess fertilizers.

Which is a bioindicator?

• current

• insect

• rock

• water

How are indicator species like a warning system for bodies of water?

• They indicate when food sources are declining.

• Their illness or death indicates pollution in an aquatic ecosystem.

• They indicate when predators are reducing the numbers of a species.

• Their illness or death indicates the body of water is becoming more populated.

Why do biologists use indicator species?

• to compare freshwater and ocean ecosystems

• to count the number of organisms present

• to monitor water quality and biodiversity

• to analyze the dominant species