Human Impact on Freshwater

Many variables affect the quality and quantity of water available for people to use. Which variable is LEAST controlled by human behavior?

• algae level

• aquifer recharge rate

• turbidity level

• groundwater depletion rate

Which of the following is MOST responsible for reducing the availability of fresh water in this country?

• aquifer depletion

• reservoir evaporation

• nonpoint source pollution

• boat and watercraft emissions

Which human activity directly affects the quality of freshwater resources?

• runoff from agricultural fields

• runoff from roads and sidewalks

• runoff from residential yards and lawns

• overflow of coal ash retention ponds

If people in an area have limited access to freshwater resources, what will most likely result?

• an increase in the number of aquifers supplying water to the area

• a decrease in sanitation and increase in disease in the area

• a decrease in weathering and erosion in the area

• an increase in biodiversity in the area

Point source pollution

• has only 1 source of pollution

• has may sources of pollution

• you can identify where the pollution the source of pollution is located

• you can not easily identify where the source of pollution is located

Nonpoint source pollution

• has only 1 source of pollution

• has may sources of pollution

• you can identify where the pollution the source of pollution is located

• you can not easily identify where the source of pollution is located

Which action most often causes sinkholes to form on the surface of Earth?

• removing groundwater

• meteor impacts

• plates colliding

• mechanical weathering

When fertilizers enter surface water, they cause problems in 
the watershed by -

• increasing the amount of nutrients available to fish in lakes and streams.
• 
  clogging narrow streams and preventing water from flowing properly.
• raising the water level in nearby rivers to levels leading to flooding.
• causing rapid algal growth that decrease oxygen levels and choke aquatic life.

Which would increase the amount of runoff you get?

• Vegetation
• More plants
• Urban Development

What is turbidity?

• study of a turbine

• How fast water goes

• Blue

• The cloudiness of a fluid. (testing water quality)