Chapter 5 Water Pollution

What is one of the basic differences between lake pollution and stream pollution? (Page 114)

One difference between lake and stream pollution is that lake pollution water isn't moving much where as stream pollution, the pollutants are constantly moving.

What is the difference between a point source and a dispersed source of pollutants? Give an example of each. (Page 106)

A point source pollutant is one that reaches water from a pipe or any localized source as where a dispersed source is a wide unconfined area from which pollutants enter water.

What is an estuary? Why are estuaries important ecosystems? (Page 122)

An estuary is an natural transition zone between freshwater rivers and saline ocean waters. Estuaries are important because plants, species, and other things depend on estuaries as places to live. They also filter out sediments and pollutions.

Is groundwater naturally pure? Why? (Page 117)

Groundwater isn't pure because it contains dissolved minerals.

What measures can be taken to prevent groundwater pollution? (Page 121)

Preventative measures that can prevent groundwater pollution is laws, physical barriers, monitoring wells, etc.

Why is suspended silt or clay considered to be a water pollutant? How does it get into streams and lakes? (Page 109)

Suspended solids are considered water pollutants because it interferes with the penetration of light from the sun which in turn decreases photosynthesis.. It gets into streams and lakes by soil erosion.

Are ocean waters immune to pollution problems? Briefly discuss your answer. (Page 121)

Technically yes because of its natural salinity but at the same time, the ocean water not suitable for human beings unless the water was subjected to the desalting process.

Briefly discuss the effects of thermal pollution. (Page 108)

The effects of thermal pollution is that it'll decrease oxygen in water, killing off plants and species in water, etc.

What is the most widespread source of stream and river pollution in the United States? What is the most wide spread source of groundwater pollution? (Page 125)

The most widespread source of stream and river pollution In the US is sewage runoff. The most wide spread source of groundwater is chemical pollution.

Give a brief definition of water pollution. (Page 106)

Water pollution when harmful substances contaminate any body of water making it toxic to humans.