Water sources and pollution

To keep on living, all living things need _____

• Crash Course videos

• some form of water

• YouTube videos

• Marvel superhero movies

Which of the following pollutants is most commonly found in groundwater?

• Mercury

• Lead

• Nitrate

• Chlorine

Answer explanation

The reason why Nitrate is the most commonly found pollutant in groundwater because it is highly soluble in water and does not readily bind to soil particles. This means that when it is applied to the soil surface as a fertilizer, for example, or from animal waste, it can easily move through the soil and into the groundwater.

__________ is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to make it drinkable.

In addition to desalination, there are other alternative sources of water. One of these is ________, which involves capturing and storing rainwater for later use

• Groundwater recharge

• Greywater recycling

• Rainwater harvesting

• Wetland restoration

You have noticed that your tap water has a metallic taste and a red color. What type of pollutant could be causing this?

• Heavy metal pollution (such as iron or copper)

• Sediments and suspended solids

• Ammonium (NH4+)

• Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites)

After a heavy rainstorm, the river near your home becomes very muddy and discolored. What types of pollutants can be found in the river?

• Lead

• Iron and manganese

• Sediments and suspended solids

• Natural organic matter (NOM)

In recent years, the use of alternative water sources has gained popularity. Which of the following is a benefit of using alternative water sources?

• Increased likelihood of contamination

• Decreased risk of water scarcity

• Lower cost compared to traditional sources

• Reduced need for water conservation

While surface water and groundwater have been traditional sources of drinking water, they have become increasingly unreliable and unsustainable due to _____ and _____.

• Drought, climate change

• Erosion, sedimentation

• Overuse, pollution

• Algal blooms, saltwater intrusion

What is the main cause of water scarcity?

• Climate change

• Pollution

• Overuse of water resources

• Lack of infrastructure

Water scarcity is defined as a situation where __________ exceeds the amount of available water resources