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Freshwater quiz 2025

Total questions: 60

Worksheet time: 34mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What is an estuary?
a)
A little body of water.
b)
water in a gaseous form.
c)
Places where fresh water and streams flow into the ocean.
d)
the presence of an unwated msterial in a given place.
2.
What kind of water is in an estuary?
a)
Brackish
b)
spring
c)
salt
d)
fresh
3.
When salt and fresh water mix, what is the new water substance called?
a)
Brackish Acid
b)
Fresh Water
c)
Salt Water
d)
Brackish Water
4.
Organisms that live on the bottom of aquatic ecosystems are known as 
a)
littoral 
b)
benthic 
c)
nekton
5.
How much salt is in something is called_____________
a)
Salinity
b)
Evaporation
c)
Seamount
6.
Mangrove swamps occur in warm climates near the __________________.
a)
forest
b)
oceans
c)
lakes
7.

Why doesn’t photosynthesis occur in Oceans/lakes./seas below 200m ?

a)
There is no sunlight.
b)
There are not enough nutrients. 
c)
The salinity level of the water is too high.
d)
The water temperature is too cold.
8.
A salt marsh is a coastal ecosystem in:
a)
Epipelagic zone
b)
Bathypelagic zone
c)
Intertidal zone
d)
Mesopelagic zone
9.

What human activity affects the environment in such a way that algae blooms increase?

a)

agricultural runoff

b)

fertilizer run off from lawns

c)

septic system failure

d)

all of the above

10.

Which is a point source of pollution?

a)

Farm runoff

b)

A sewage treatment plant

c)

Storm runoff

d)

A suburban community

e)

A harbor

11.

Eutrophication

a)

is the result of excess carbon

b)

causes low BOD

c)

can cause dead zones

d)

is rarely caused by human activities

e)

only occurs in fresh water

12.

Fecal coliform bacteria

a)

is used as an indicator of water quality

b)

is another name for Cryptosporidium

c)

usually causes diarrhea

d)

is rarely found in septage

13.

Arsenic is

a)

found naturally in groundwater

b)

often discovered due to its rapid health effects

c)

inexpensive to remove from drinking water

d)

found in rainwater

e)

primarily found in water in North America

14.

Turbidity caused by sedimentation/erosion

a)

decreases the solubility of oxygen

b)

increases the amount of photosynthesis

c)

clogs the gills of some aquatic animals

d)

results in decreased nutrients availability

e)

is primarily due to industrialization

15.

Maximum contaminant levels for groundwater were set in

a)

the Federal Water Pollution Control Act

b)

the Clean Water Act

c)

the Safe Drinking Act

d)

the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

e)

the Water Quality Act

16.

When deep wells are heavily pumped, one result can be

a)

decreased groundwater recharge

b)

spring formation

c)

a cone of depression

d)

increased groundwater recharge

e)

a rise in the water table

17.

Which is true of floodplains?

a)

They have increased fertility

b)

Humans are unable to use them

c)

They occur near ponds and lakes

d)

They are the result of glaciation

e)

They occur in areas with saltwater intrusions

18.

Groundwater recharge

a)

is the result of precipitation

b)

sometimes occurs as a spring

c)

occurs rapidly in confined aquifers

d)

can cause saltwater intrusions

e)

does not occur in unconfined aquifers

19.

Which is NOT a primary use of dams

a)

Recreation

b)

Electricity generation

c)

Flood control

d)

Habitat restoration

e)

Agricultural uses

20.

Which cannot reduce the effects of flooding

a)

Levees

b)

Dams

c)

Freshwater wetlands

d)

Impermeable surfaces

e)

Mangroves

21.

In the United States, most water is used for

a)

agriculture

b)

households

c)

industry

d)

transportation

e)

hydroelectric plants

22.

Which irrigation method is the most efficient?

a)

Furrow irrigation

b)

Spray irrigation

c)

Flood irrigation

d)

Drip irrigation

e)

Condensate irrigation

23.

The issue of water ownership- such as outlined in the Colorado River Compact- is complicated by

I. the irregularity of precipitation

II. the distance rivers can travel

III. increased demand for water

a)

I and II

b)

I and III

c)

II and III

d)

III only

e)

I, II, and III

24.
The geological layer, consisting of underground caverns and porous layers of sand, gravel, or bedrock, where groundwater flows, is called
a)
zone of saturation
b)
aquifer
c)
the water table
d)
surface water
25.
Withdrawing too much water from an aquifer can cause all of the following except
a)
freshwater contaminated with saltwater
b)
land subsidence
c)
sinkholes
d)
drought
26.
The term subsidence refers to
a)
failure of the groundwater supply
b)
accumulation of silt behind a dam
c)

sinking of ground when water or gas/oil has been withdrawn

d)
intrusion of salt water into a freshwater aquifer
27.

97 % of all water on Earth is in the oceans. Which of the following is the correct order of the Earth’s water storage compartments from largest to smallest?

a)

ocean, atmosphere, lakes, groundwater, rivers, ice caps

b)

ocean, groundwater, rivers, ice caps, atmosphere, lakes

c)

ocean, ice caps, groundwater, lakes, atmosphere, rivers

d)

ocean, lakes, ice caps, groundwater, atmosphere, rivers

28.

Where do we typically see saltwater intrusions into freshwater aquifers?

a)

On the great plains

b)

In the mountainous regions

c)

In coastal areas

d)

Along rivers

29.
Landscaping with plants that dont require much water is called
a)
xeriscaping
b)
zenoscaping
c)
hydroscaping
d)
terrascaping
30.

The disadvantage of desalination water is that...

a)

It is expensive and produces briny wastewater

b)

It can be used in areas with little freshwater

c)

It produces water that is not safe to drink.

d)

It is not a real thing.

31.

How has the diversion of water, as in the case of the Aral Sea, affected their original source of water?

a)

It left behind sediment with salts and toxins, increasing air pollution

b)

Large volume of water is lost.

c)

Fisheries have collapsed, causing an economic disaster

d)

All of the above.

32.

What percentage of Earth's water is fresh water?

a)

2.5%

b)

10%

c)

50%

d)

90%

33.

Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution

a)

Effluent from a sewage treatment plant

b)

Deepwater Horizon oil spill

c)

Runoff of pesticides from regional farms into the Illinois River.

d)

Hot water discharges from a nuclear power plant.

34.
This law regulates the discharges of pollutants into all waters that have a significant connection with navigable waterways.  Also, must have a permit to dump these pollutants. Also, requires certain steps in sewage treatment. 
a)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
b)
Clean Water Act (CWA)
c)
Oil Pollution Act
d)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
35.
Which pollutant or pollutants are most likely to create eutrophic areas?
a)
nitrates and phosphates
b)
heavy metals
c)
synthetic organic compounds
d)
pharmaceuticals
36.

Wetlands are beneficial to a water conservation program because:

a)

they remove excess nutrients

b)

break down pollutants

c)

improve water quality

d)

help prevent flooding

e)

All of the Above

37.
The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is defined as:
a)
the amount of oxygen required by humans who use a water supply
b)
the amount of oxygen required for biochemical decomposition processes
c)
the amount of oxygen needed by plants growing in a water source
d)
the amount of oxygen given off by a specific water source
38.

The release of a large amount of sewage overflow into a nearby creek would lead to:

(DO= Dissolved oxygen

BOD= Biological oxygen demand)

a)

High DO, High BOD, Low Fecal Coliform

b)

Low DO, High BOD, Low Fecal Coliform

c)

Low DO, High BOD, High Fecal Coliform

d)

Low DO, Low BOD, High Fecal Coliform

39.

Heavy metal found in some pipes and faucets; is a major concern in the drinking water in Flint Michigan.

a)

Lead

b)

Mercury

c)

Phosphate

d)

Nitrate

40.

Excessive heat from this can decrease dissolved oxygen and kill fish.

a)

Nitrate

b)

Fecal coliform

c)

Chlorine

d)

Thermal pollution

41.

Commonly from mammal feces

a)

Nitrate

b)

Fecal coliform

c)

Chlorine

d)

Thermal pollution

42.

A stream with a pH of 4.0 is

a)

Strongly acidic

b)

Weakly acidic

c)

Neutral

d)

strongly basic

43.

The Harrison's decided to cut down the trees and the brushes that were obstructing their view. This left an open area with no vegetation between the house and the lake. What area did they remove?

a)

Riparian

b)

Littoral

44.
Increased use of inorganic (lab-made) fertilizers on crops contributes to:
a)

Hypoxia in aquatic areas

b)
Increase in storm severity in southeastern U.S.
c)
Water shortages in California
d)
Saltwater intrusion on the East Coast.
45.
What does chlorination do to the water?
a)
Removes microorganisms
b)
Cleans the water
c)
Makes the water taste nice
d)
Removes twigs and sediment
46.

Primary treatment

a)

chemically prevents toxic chemicals.

b)

physically removes large objects and more dense sediment

c)

biologically removed BOD

d)

chemically removed inoragnic materials

47.

What is the purpose of using ultraviolet light, chlorine or ozone on wastewater?

a)
To bleach it out
b)

To remove bacteria & viruses

c)
To remove chlorine
d)

To remove excess nutrients

48.

In secondary treatment, what is the role of bacteria in the water purification process?

a)

digested organic matter

b)
add chlorine
c)
nothing, we don't want them in there
d)
add nutrients to the sludge
49.
What gas must be maintained at precise levels in the aeration tank?
a)
CO2
b)
O2
c)
H2
d)
CO
50.

What is the first step of preliminary wastewater treatment, which removes large items such as plastic wrappers and sticks?

a)

screening - employs the use of a "bar screen"

b)

sedimentation

c)

aeration

d)

disinfection

51.

In which part of the wastewater treatment process are bacteria introduced to the wastewater to feed on organic particles, such as food and feces? (Select 2 choices)

a)

sedimentation

b)

aeration

c)

disinfection

d)

primary treatment

e)

secondary treatment

52.

During secondary treatment, the solid material that is removed from the primary clarifier is called

a)

sediment

b)

activated sludge

c)

effluent

d)

aeration

53.

List the correct order

a)

Tertiary alum/floc & uv radiation, Primary filtration & sedimentation, aeration & secondary sedimentation,

b)

Biological, mechanical, chemical

c)

Primary filtration & sedimentation, aeration & secondary sedimentation, tertiary alum/floc & uv radiation

54.

The zone between land and a river or a lake is called the:

a)

abyssal zone

b)

intertidal zone

c)

riparian zone

d)

pelagic zone

55.

Most of Earth's freshwater is found in

a)

ice

b)

water vapor

c)

underground

d)

surface water

56.

Most of Earth's liquid freshwater is found in

a)

ice

b)

water vapor

c)

underground/aquifers

d)

surface water

57.

Water from sinks & showers is called

a)

grey water

b)

brown water

c)

black water

d)

bottled water

58.

Measure the amount of Ca+ and Mg+2 in water

a)

Turbidity

b)

Salinity

c)

pH

d)

Water hardness

59.

Freshwater in the US:

a)

70% is used for homes, 10% for agriculture, 20% for industry

b)

70% is used for agriculture, 10% for homes, 20% for industry

c)

70% is used for industry, 10% for agriculture, 20% for homes

d)

70% is used for agriculture, 10% for industry, 20% for homes

60.

All the water in an area that drains to a river & includes groundwater

a)

Aquaduct

b)

Aquifer

c)

Watershed

d)

Spring

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