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18.1 and 18.2: Water Quality

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 5mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Since the Clean Water Act of 1972, the quantities of nitrate and phosphate entering surface waters have

a)

decreased significantly for both point and nonpoint sources.

b)

have decreased for nonpoint sources but not point sources.

c)

have decreased for point sources but not nonpoint sources.

d)

essentially remained the same.

2.

The Clean Water Act has turned out to be ___________ in achieving its point source goals.

a)

very effective

b)

marginally effective

c)

ineffective

d)

a disaster

3.

The central goal of the U.S. Clean Water Act was to

a)

make all surface waters swimmable and fishable.

b)

categorize water into types of use and then establish an array of different cleanup goals.

c)

end all water pollution in the U.S. by 2050.

d)

eliminate all nonpoint source pollution where economically feasible.

4.

The main reason that surface water pollution has largely decreased in the United States since 1950 is

a)

The Clean Water Act

b)

A series of epidemics that inspired action

c)

The discovery of newer technology that makes it cheaper not to pollute

d)

The decrease in water withdrawal for industrial uses

5.

In 1998, a change in the approach to water quality was initiated by _________ with an emphasis on _________.

a)

The EPA; cost-benefit analysis

b)

A series of epidemics that inspired action; watershed management

c)

Industry; cost-benefit analysis

d)

The EPA; watershed management

6.

Cultural eutrophication results from

a)

Natural sediment and nutrient levels

b)

A change in animal life as well as plants

c)

The disappearance of tributary streams

d)

Human activity

7.

An oxygen sag occurs most often

a)

In estuaries closest to a pollution source

b)

Immediately downstream from a pollution source

c)

Immediately upstream from a pollution source

d)

After the water recovers from the pollution source

8.

Toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury

a)

Rarely threaten water supplies

b)

Can be toxic if high concentrations are reached

c)

Can be toxic in extremely small quantities

d)

Are the most common health threat in water

9.

Which of the following are inorganic toxic substances sometimes found in local water supplies?

a)

Salts and lead

b)

Red tides

c)

Fecal coliform bacteria

d)

All of these are correct

10.

In order to avoid producing thermal plumes, power plants often

a)

Increase the efficiency of their energy use

b)

Warm entire rivers to ease temperature gradients

c)

Chemically alter their effluent

d)

Build cooling towers or ponds