WorksheetsAnswer Document 7.8C Impact of Human Activites on Watersheds
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
Students designed an experiment to determine how the fertilizer runoff from fields affects ponds. Students used two large outdoor tanks and planted the same variety and amount of aquatic plants in soil placed at the bottom. Students added local fish and samples of local pond water with microorganisms in each tank. One tank was left alone while the other tank had fertilizer added daily. The following table contains possible data sets for algae growth covering the surface of the tanks.
Which data set most likely represents the results of the experiment after seven days?
A) Data Set A
B) Data Set B
C) Data Set C
D) Data Set D
A student sets up the investigation shown below.
What does the movement of colored water across the sand into the water best model?
F) Evaporation of surface water
G) Infiltration of groundwater
H) Condensation of water vapor
J) Pollution of surface water
A student drew the model below to represent a part of a watershed and some human activities that affect the watershed.
How do the industrial, agricultural, and residential activities of humans most likely affect the groundwater in the area?
A) The activities prevent most of the water from evaporating into the atmosphere.
B) Pollutants from the activities percolate through the soil and enter the water table.
C) The activities replace the groundwater used.
D) All of the above
Landfills are a way to manage trash by burying the trash underground. Modern landfills have a bottom layer of thick clay covered with a plastic liner. On top of the plastic liner, the landfill has pipes with holes that flow to collection tanks.
If a landfill lacked the clay, plastic, and pipes, how would the environment most likely be affected?
F) Rainwater would not absorb into the ground below the landfill.
G) Animals would be more attracted to the landfill due to odor.
H) Groundwater near the landfill would be polluted.
J) Garbage in the landfill would not be compacted.
Students designed an experiment to study where water drains after the sprinkler system is used to maintain the football field. They attached a container that added red dye to the water before it sprayed onto the field. Students placed water collection containers in many places near the field.
Which location could the students place a water collection container to determine the effect of runoff from the football field?
A) In the ground near the sprinkler
B) In a gutter that flows to a nearby pond
C) Directly under the sprinkler
D) Suspended directly above the sprinkler
A student’s model of an area near a city depicts many activities that affect the quality of the water in the area.
How does the agricultural activity most likely affect the surface water of the area?
F) Excess crop fertilizer is carried by runoff into the river, causing excess growth of water plants.
G) Excess crop material accumulates on the riverbanks, slowing the movement of the river water.
H) Crops reduce erosion, increasing the amount of soil entering the river.
J) Crops absorb pure water from soil, causing the remaining water to contain more salt.
Which of the following sets of equipment can be used to analyze the effects of human activity on a watershed?
A) Water testing kit, triple beam balance
B) Water testing kit, beaker, hotplate
C) Hotplate, beaker, graduated cylinder
D) Water testing kit, hand lens, notebook
The model shows an area near a lake. Community leaders are planning new laws to help protect the lake from pollution. One proposed law will make it illegal to dump trash on the shore of the lake, but the law still allows trash to be placed in the area labeled “Flow-through wetland.”
Which statement about the proposed law is supported by the model?
F) The proposed law will protect the lake because plant roots between the wetland and the lake will stop
pollution from entering the lake.
G) The proposed law will not protect the lake because animals that live in or near the lake will add pollution to
the lake.
H) The proposed law will not protect the lake because groundwater will carry pollution from the wetland directly
into the lake.
J) The proposed law will protect the lake because the high elevation of the water table will block pollution from
entering the lake.
A student sets up the investigation shown in the illustration.
The movement of colored water through the gravel best models —
A) condensation of water vapor
B) surface runoff of precipitation
C) conservation of water
D) pollution of groundwater
Farmers often fertilize their crops for better yields. What is possible effect of fertilization on a watershed?
F) Aquatic plants would probably die causing an increase in surface water.
G) Aquatic plants might only grow in winter causing an increase in surface water.
H) Aquatic plants would probably not be affected causing no change in surface water.
J) Aquatic plants might grow at an accelerated rate causing the surface water to diminish.
