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Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Quiz

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which major river flows into the Gulf of Mexico and contributes to the dead zone?

a)

Missouri River

b)

Colorado River

c)

Mississippi River

d)

Rio Grande

2.

What nutrients primarily contribute to the formation of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone?

a)

Carbon and Nitrogen

b)

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

c)

Sulfur and Phosphorus

d)

Oxygen and Carbon

3.

What happens when excess nutrients enter the Gulf of Mexico?

a)

Increases fish population

b)

Causes phytoplankton blooms followed by oxygen depletion

c)

Cleans the water naturally

d)

Boosts coral growth

4.

A dead zone is an area in the ocean that...

a)

Has an overpopulation of marine life

b)

Has low or no dissolved oxygen and little marine life

c)

Has high levels of biodiversity

d)

Is home to coral reefs

5.

How long does the Gulf of Mexico dead zone typically last?

a)

All year

b)

Winter only

c)

Spring until fall

d)

One month

6.

What is the leading cause of water pollution globally?

a)

Industrial waste

b)

Urban runoff

c)

Agricultural activities

d)

Plastic pollution

7.

Which of the following is a point source of water pollution?

a)

Runoff from croplands

b)

Sewage-treatment plant discharge

c)

Street runoff

d)

Lawn fertilizer runoff

8.

What happened to the Cuyahoga River in 1969?

a)

It flooded the city of Cleveland

b)

It caught fire due to pollution

c)

It froze over unexpectedly

d)

It dried up

9.

What percentage of India’s water resources are heavily polluted?

a)

25%

b)

50%

c)

66%

d)

75%

10.

What does BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measure?

a)

Oxygen released by algae

b)

Oxygen needed by aerobic organisms to break down organic material

c)

The oxygen produced by photosynthesis

d)

The amount of dissolved nitrogen

11.

What type of water body is less effective at diluting pollutants due to stratification and low flow?

a)

Rivers

b)

Streams

c)

Lakes and reservoirs

d)

Oceans

12.

Cultural eutrophication is mainly caused by...

a)

Natural nutrient cycling

b)

Human activities increasing nutrient input

c)

Acid rain

d)

Climate change

13.

How does the Gulf of Mexico dead zone impact marine food webs?

a)

Increases fish diversity

b)

Kills seabirds and marine mammals dependent on fish

c)

Reduces algae blooms

d)

Improves fishing industry

14.

How have dams and flood control on the Mississippi River affected nutrient pollution?

a)

Reduced nutrient pollution

b)

Increased nutrient and sediment pollution

c)

Had no effect

d)

Cleaned up the water

15.

What percentage of drinking water in the U.S. comes from aquifers?

a)

10%

b)

25%

c)

50%

d)

75%

16.

Which pollutant is commonly found in groundwater and is difficult to remove once contamination occurs?

a)

Carbon dioxide

b)

Fertilizers

c)

Saltwater

d)

Sand

17.

What is the primary source of human-related ocean oil pollution?

a)

Tanker spills

b)

Offshore drilling

c)

Urban and industrial runoff

d)

Natural seeps

18.

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch mostly made of?

a)

Glass and metal

b)

Plastic waste

c)

Organic debris

d)

Rubber products

19.

What was the cause of the Flint, Michigan water crisis in 2014?

a)

Lead contamination from old pipes

b)

Mercury runoff

c)

E. coli in the water

d)

Oil spill

20.

What does the Clean Water Act of 1977 aim to do?

a)

Promote bottled water consumption

b)

Protect streams, lakes, and wetlands from pollution

c)

Encourage offshore drilling

d)

Increase ocean shipping routes