Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Which statement about non-point source pollution is true:

• it is easy to identify the source

• it can be difficult to locate the source

• it originates from a single source

• controlling non-point source pollution is easy

The diagram shows the concentration of an organic pollutant in an aquatic ecosystem released at the blue line. The highest number of organisms would mostly likely be found in

• Zone 1

• Zone 5

• Zone 2

• Zones 3 and 4

The diagram shows the concentration of an organic pollutant in an aquatic ecosystem released at the blue line. An abiotic factor likely to be affected by the introduction of the organic pollutant is:

• Water temperature

• Dissolved oxygen

• pH

• Salinity

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law primarily regulating:

• The supply of drinking water

• The discharge of pollutants into water

• the disposal of plastic into the oceans

• the bottling of water from natural springs

Which of the following occurred as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010?

I. A large economic loss to fisheries and tourism

II. Vast numbers of marine organisms died.

III. The oil was cleaned up quickly

• I only

• II only

• I and II

• All three are correct

Which of the following oil spill clean-up methods is considered to be the most hazardous for the environment?

• Using chemical dispersants to break down the oil

• Using microbes to break down the oil

• Using floating booms to contain the oil

• Using skimmers to collect the oil

The organisms in the aquatic food web above have been exposed to a DDT breakdown product, which has entered the sea via land runoff. Their susceptibility to DDT's toxic effects from most to least susceptible is:

• Large fish--> small fish--> aquatic invertebrates--> aquatic plants

• bald eagle--> seal--> osprey--> Northern harrier

• bald eagel--> large fish--> crayfish --> small fish

• gull--> osprey--> large fish--> crayfish

The most dangerous form of mercury to humans is:

• Elemental mercury

• Inorganic mercury

• Particulate mercury

• Methylmercury

A marine dead zone is

• The area of deep water where there is no light

• A hypoxic region lacking marine life

• An area where migratory fish have disappeared

• A seasonal period of toxic algal blooms

Plastic litter in the ocean:

• Collects in ocean regions called gyres

• Breaks down slowly in sunlight

• Can be mistaken for food by marine organisms

• All of the above