Water Quality Indicators

Which best describes an endocrine disruptor?

• heavy meals that are toxic and can cause neurological disorders, especially in children

• pollutants that tend to stay in the environment for very long periods of time; example-DDT

• pollutant chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine system of animals (mimic hormones)

• pollutants that increase the turbidity of water

Which of the following best describes the Ogallala Aquifer?

• It underlies the African Serengeti and supplies millions of people with freshwater

• It underlies the Argentine Pampas and supplies millions of people with freshwater

• it underlies the United States High Plains and is being depleted by overuse, mainly for agriculture.

• It flows into the Gulf of Mexico and carries nutrient pollution

Which is an indicator of low water quality in a lake?

• low turbidity

• high species richness of macroinvertebrates

• low DO

• low BOD

Which best describes coliform bacteria?

• A. they are used to indicate water quality

• B. they are found in the feces of animals and humans

• C. high levels indicate excellent water quality

• D. Both A and B are correct

• E. all of the above are correct

Which correctly describes the relationship between DO and the temperature of water?

• the is a direct relationship between DO and temperature

• the is an inverse relationship between DO and temperature

• there is no relationship between DO and temperature

• there is an exponential relationship between DO and temperature

What are the 2 main nutrients in inorganic fertilizers that can enter a water body via runoff?

• nitrogen and oxygen

• nitrogen and mercury

• nitrogen and phosphorus

• potassium and nitrogen

• sulfur and phosphorus

Macroinvertebrates are an indicator of (best answer)

• the presence of feces in water.

• the presence of heavy metals in water

• the cloudiness of the water.

• the long-term overall health of a water body

Hypoxia is

• a condition of excess heavy metals in the water.

• a condition of low DO in the water.

• a condition of NO DO in the water.

• a condition of high DO in the water

This is a condition associated with dead zones in water bodies.

• hyperoxia

• anoxia

• low biological oxygen demand (BOD)

• low turbidity

1. What is turbidity?

• The acidity of the water.

• The amount of heat in the water.

• The amount of oxygen in the water.

• The clearness or cloudiness of the water.