Chapter 11
snowpack in the mountains
Most of California's water supply comes from ______.
glaciers and icecaps
Most of earth's fresh water is in ______.
-Are crucial in regulating climate -Contain most of earth's biomass
Not only do the oceans contain most of earth's water, but the oceans also ______.
pollution
Water ______ is anything that degrades water quality.
-Selenium -Arsenic
What are the leading types of nonmetallic salt pollutants?
People who live in rural communities
What group of Americans is most dependent on groundwater for their water supply?
hydrologic
When water evaporates from moist surfaces, falls again as rain or snow, passes through living organisms, and returns to the ocean, the process is known as the _____ cycle.
-Don't flush the toilet every time. -Use a low-volume showerhead. -Use drought-resistant plants in your landscaping.
Which of the following are water conservation techniques?
-Use a low-volume showerhead. -Use drought-resistant plants in your landscaping. -Don't flush the toilet every time.
Which of the following are water conservation techniques?
Cattle feedlots
Which of the following is a major location for runoff rich in viruses, bacteria, nitrates, and phosphates?
Runoff from a golf course
Which of the following is not a point-source water pollutant?
subsidence
Withdrawal of large amounts of groundwater results in ________ or the settling of the ground above the aquifer.
75
Worldwide crop irrigation is responsible for about _______% of total water withdrawal.
Power production
Worldwide, which type of industrial water use accounts for the greatest withdrawal?
depleted; recharge
When an aquifer is overpumped, it becomes ______; natural ______ through precipitation and other means will bring water back into the aquifer.
Antarctica
Where is most of the world's frozen water?
Mercury
Which metal is the most widespread contaminant in the United States?
Nonpoint-source pollutants
_____ are scattered or diffuse, having no specific location where they discharge into a particular body of water.
-Poor; rich people -Rural; city dwellers
______ people often have less access to clean water than ______.
Secondary treatment
Choice, Involves biodegradation of the dissolved organic compounds Involves biodegradation of the dissolved organic compounds
Primary treatment
Choice, Separates large solids from the waste stream Separates large solids from the waste stream
-It is incinerated. -It is converted to methane. -It is put in landfills. -It is used as fertilizer.
Choose all of the ways that sewage sludge is handled in the United States.
-Yellow fever -Dysentery -Cholera -Typhoid
Choose from the list below all of the waterborne diseases that seriously affect humans.
recycling
Communities that reclaim storm and sewage water and treat it for reuse in agriculture or even for drinking water are said to be _______ water.
Landfills and waste-disposal sites
Of the following, which is most likely the leader in contaminating groundwater with toxins?
50
Of the world's 227 largest rivers, about ______ percent have been dammed or diverted.
little
Oligotrophic waters have ______ nutrition.
-low nutrient levels -low biological productivity -clear waters
Oligotrophic waters have ______.
organic
Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and plastics are manufactured from ________ chemicals and cause pollution that is toxic at even very low concentration levels.
-requires best practicable control technology -sets national goals of best available, economically achievable technology for toxic substances -requires discharge permits
The Clean Water Act ______.
-surface waters -sewage processing and discharge -point-source regulations
The Clean Water Act focuses on ________.
has not been fully met
The Clean Water Act's goal of making all U.S. surface water "fishable and swimmable" ________.
increasing twice as fast as population growth
Global human water use is ____________.
Sediment
What type of water pollution is considered not only the largest source in the United States, but is responsible for widespread problems involving drinking water, turbines, fish, shipping, and recreation?
-Sewage treatment in Spain covers about 50% of the population. -Russia is considered a leader in water quality solutions.
Which of the following is not true regarding other countries and their water pollution problems and solutions?
if organic waste is present in water
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) tests are useful in determining ________.
-mental problems -endangerment of a fetus -developmental problems
High mercury levels in the human body from eating fish can lead to ________.
-By altering runoff patterns -By discharging heated water -By altering vegetation cover
How do humans cause thermal pollution?
over a billion
The United Nations estimates that ______ people lack access to safe drinking water.
waterborne
Cholera, typhoid, enteritis, and polio are all ______ diseases that seriously affect human populations.
extra nutrients brought in by streams accelerate plant growth
Eutrophication is a natural, successional change in a pond or lake system that occurs when ______. Humans also contribute to eutrophication by adding nutrients to a water body.
-acids -metals -salts
Inorganic pollutants include ________.
-zone of aeration -water table -zone of saturation
List the parts of an aquifer in correct order from earth's surface downward. Instructions
virtually
Sending almonds and alfalfa hay from California to China means that large amounts of water are being ______ exported.
point
Sources of pollution that can be specifically located and are easily identified are called _______ sources.
is concentrated in the few largest lakes, such as the Great Lakes and Lake Baikal
The fresh water held in lakes ______.
-precipitation -groundwater -snowmelt
The fresh water within a river comes from ______.
privatization of the public water supply
The government in Bolivia was overthrown in 2000 when public anger over the ______ created a revolution.
redistribute water around the globe
The main function of the hydrologic cycle is to ________.
-animal wastes from feedlots -untreated or improperly treated human waste
The main sources of pathogens in water are ________.
dissolved oxygen
To understand pollution levels and overall health of a water body, including variables such as temperature and aeration, the ________ test is best.
septic
A ________ system consists of a tank in which waste solids settle to the bottom where bacteria decompose them.
aquifer
A(n) ______ is a geologic layer that readily holds and transmits groundwater.
a goal set for the amount of a particular pollutant that a water body can receive from point and nonpoint sources
A total maximum daily load (TMDL) is ________.
a recharge zone
An area where infiltration of water into an aquifer occurs is called ________.
a pollution source upstream
An oxygen sag, or a lowering of oxygen levels, in a stream usually indicates ________.
97%
Approximately how much of earth's water is contained in the oceans?
India and Bangladesh
Arsenic poisoning victims in _____ may exceed 200 million people.
sludge
As long as it doesn't contain unsafe levels of metals or toxins, sewage _________ can be used as a fertilizer. Otherwise, it may be incinerated or landfilled.
snow and ice are major sources of freshwater
Climate changes that affect snow accumulation and glacier size in mountainous regions are a concern because ______.
wetlands; forests
Conserving ______ allows more surface water to slowly seep into aquifers, and conserving ______ slows surface water drainage on steep slopes.
protect water resources
Conserving specific areas of land, such as wetlands and forests, helps to ______.
-use less energy than -use gravity to do the work of moving water, while machines do the work in are cheaper to build than
Constructed wetlands are considered a form of low-cost waste treatment because they _____ conventional systems.
increasing
Currently worldwide water use is ________.
displaced
Dam projects worldwide, but especially in Southeast Asia, have ______ millions of people and destroyed ecologically and culturally rich areas.
-they can be used for energy generation -they are a way to store water and redirect it to where water is needed -they are used to store runoff for nonrainy seasons
Dams are built because ________.
-in near-shore waters -in partially enclosed bays or estuaries
Eutrophication occurs in ponds and lakes, and in marine ecosystems ________.
mercury
Groundwater in the Midwest is commonly contaminated with __________ such as atrazine and alachlor used on corn and soybean crops.
-Mandate water-efficient fixtures for new installations. -Set water pricing so that the more you use, the more you are charged per gallon.
How can policies encourage personal water conservation?
The compact allocated water based on conditions that were wetter than average.
How did the Colorado Compact of 1922 contribute to the possibility of Lake Mead going dry?
-It can increase the cost of water purification. -It can fill in lakes and reservoirs. -It can obstruct shipping channels.
How does excess sediment in water cause problems?
-Farmers are displaced when their farms fail due to climate change. -Private companies take control of water supplies. -Rivers run through multiple countries.
Identify the reasons why conflicts and wars have been and will continue to be fought over water rights.
-They have small, artificial wetlands. -They make use of bacteria and algae.
Identify the ways in which the Cedar Grove Cheese Factory purifies wastewater with their "Living Machine."
total maximum daily load
If a state sets a limit of 0.05 mg/l of total phosphorus in lakes, this would be an example of a _____.
-less water delivered by viaducts -less water to power hydroelectric dams
If there is less snowpack in the Sierra Nevada's due to drought and warming temperatures, then California will have ______.
farming
In the United States, groundwater is used most often by rural communities and for _______ and domestic purposes.
high
In well-developed countries, reducing water pollution and improving water quality has been a ____ priority over the past few decades.
-India -China -Undeveloped African countries
In which region is sewage treatment either totally lacking or very inadequate?
Create earthquakes; have forced millions of people from their homes
Negative
fracking
One of the newest large-scale uses of water for industrial purposes is for the process of hydraulic ______ .
lead
One result of removing ______ from gasoline has been a decrease in surface-water pollution.
pesticides drugs
Organic pollutants include ________.
-regularly running a street sweeper -minimizing residential use of fertilizers and pesticides -encouraging citizens to recycle waste oil
Pollutants carried by urban runoff from yards, streets, and parking lots can be reduced by ________.
Provide hydroelectric power; provide water to large cities
Positive
in most cities the water must be monitored every hour for up to 25 different chemicals and pathogens
Public health experts say that municipal water is often safer than bottled water because _____.
-corn -rice -pork -beef
Rank the following items from the lowest amount of water needed to produce 1 kg of that item at the top to the most water at the bottom. Instructions
-ocean -glaciers and polar ice -groundwater -atmosphere
Rank the following water compartments from the most water at the top to the least at the bottom. Instructions
-agriculture -industrial -domestic
Rank the following water consumers worldwide, from the biggest consumer on top to the smallest on the bottom. Instructions
Tertiary treatment
Removes plant nutrients, especially nitrates and phosphates
the amount of water passing a fixed point in a given amount of time
River discharge is a measure of _______.
have low population densities
Septic systems that break down human waste naturally through bacterial decomposition work in areas that ______.
cryptosporidium
The 1993 ______ outbreak in Milwaukee's public water system sickened 400,000 people.
pharmaceuticals and hormones
The 2002 USGS study looking at modern-day pollutants in streams specifically tested for ______.
Rhine
The ________ River in Europe was once heavily contaminated by waste disposal, dumping, runoff, and a spill from a chemical warehouse fire in Switzerland. It now hosts a healthy population of flora and fauna.
mercury
The bay in Minimata, Japan, was so heavily contaminated with _______ in the 1950s that poisoning by this metal was named after the location. Minimata Bay is now considered clean after discharges were banned.
avoid producing pollutants in the first place
The cheapest and most effective way to reduce pollution is to _____.
human activities
The clearing of forests leading to less rainfall in the region, as the plants are no longer there to transpire water, is an example of ________ affecting water distribution.
waste
The primary sources of pathogens that cause waterborne diseases is untreated human and animal ______.
The percolation of water into an aquifer
The processes occurring at a recharge zone are best described by which of the following?
glaciers
The shrinking and disappearance of ______ due to climate change is most concerning because they are the source of irrigation and drinking water for billions of people.
Chemical treatment
To destroy or detoxify pollutants through various types of reactions
Bioremediation
To use quickly growing plants to remove large amounts of organic nutrients and heavy metals from water
False
True or false: Agricultural crops such as corn and wheat have a higher water demand, per kilogram of product produced, than livestock such as pork and beef.
False
True or false: Eutrophication is always caused by humans.
False
True or false: Having spent billions of dollars on water quality control programs, there are no lingering threats to surface-water quality.
True
True or false: Water can be recycled and used for drinking.
-Algal blooms -Thick growths of aquatic plants -Unpleasant odors
Under conditions of (cultural) eutrophication, what undesirable results can occur?
anything that degrades water quality
Water pollution is defined as ______.
-Bioremediation -Chemical reactions -Containment
Water remediation may involve which of the following?
-Pathogens -Nutrients -Sediment
What are the present challenges to achieving national goals in water quality in the United States?
-Determine the appropriate timing and amount of pesticide to apply. -Apply precise amounts of fertilizer. -Apply soil conservation methods.
What can be done to agricultural lands to limit nonpoint sources of pollution?
-Determine the appropriate timing and amount of pesticide to apply. -Apply soil conservation methods. -Apply precise amounts of fertilizer.
What can be done to agricultural lands to limit nonpoint sources of pollution?
-Their plant growth stabilizes the soil. -They hold back surface runoff, allowing time for infiltration into aquifers. -They help slow waters down, decreasing the severity of flooding and erosion.
What characteristics of wetlands are important for humans?
-Rising demand for water from a growing urban population -Increased demand for water by agriculture -An overallocation of water in the Colorado Compact of 1922
What contributing factors are leading to Lake Mead going dry?
-Rising demand for water from a growing urban population -An overallocation of water in the Colorado Compact of 1922 -Increased demand for water by agriculture
What contributing factors are leading to Lake Mead going dry? (Mark all that apply.)
Water will be a resource that will be fought over.
What does Fortune magazine mean when they state, "Water will be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th"?
-Proximity to water sources influences precipitation. -Topography influences precipitation distribution. -Global atmospheric circulation creates regions of persistent high air pressure and low rainfall.
What factors control where on the planet there will be water deficits and where there will be surpluses?
The system converts factory effluent to nearly pure water and vegetation.
What is the purpose of the Ceder Grove Cheese Factory's "Living Machine"?
Agriculture
What is the source for the largest volume of pollutants that affect groundwater?
Point source
What type of pollution comes from a specific source, making it easy to monitor and regulate?
these crops consume a lot of water, and most of them are exported out of the country
When someone discusses alfalfa hay and almonds from California as being virtual water exports, what they really mean is that ______.
subsidence
When too much groundwater is withdrawn, pore spaces within aquifers compress and the ground surface undergoes ,________ permanently lowering the elevation of the land surface.
Downstream of the source
Where would you expect to see an oxygen sag in a stream that is contaminated with sewage?
Constructed wetlands
Which low-cost waste treatment system mimics nature?
Plastic garbage
Which ocean pollutant are you most likely to encounter on a remote, uninhabited island?
-It is composed of bits of plastic. -There are actually two separate patches.
Which of the following accurately describe the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
-It collects trash from oceans all over the world. -It is larger than the size of Texas.
Which of the following are characteristics of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch?"
-It is larger than the size of Texas. -It collects trash from oceans all over the world.
Which of the following are characteristics of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch?"
-They found insecticides and fire retardants. -They found antibiotics, natural and synthetic hormones, detergents, and plasticizers.
Which of the following are examples of findings from the 2002 USGS study on modern day pollutants in streams?
-Israel and its neighboring countries have had 30 military confrontations that included issues of water rights in the last 50 years. -Turkey and Iraq have threatened to send their armies to protect access to the water in the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Which of the following are examples of how water has played a role in recent international skirmishes? (Mark all that apply.)
-Groundwater -Glaciers and polar ice -Atmosphere
Which of the following are freshwater compartments?
-Toxic chemicals -Oil spills -Plastic garbage
Which of the following are human-caused ocean pollution sources?
-80 percent of the bottles purchased in the United States end up in landfills. -Creating and distributing bottled water is very energy-intensive.
Which of the following are negative qualities of bottled water?
-Weathered rocks -Mining, processing, using, and discarding minerals
Which of the following are sources of inorganic chemicals?
-About 90% of all monitored rivers and lakes are suitable for their designated uses. -Over 21,000 water bodies are still impaired.
Which of the following are true about the current results of the Clean Water Act?
-It can modify the earth's surface. -Water can dissolve nutrients and distribute them to cells.
Which of the following are true about water?
-Lack of precipitation in an area will affect a shallow aquifer. -Recharge of aquifers can take decades or centuries. -Aquifers that are overused become depleted.
Which of the following are true regarding the recharge and depletion of aquifers?
-The sludge still contains metals and toxic chemicals. -It still contains high levels of inorganic nutrients that could stimulate algal blooms and eutrophication.
Why is it problematic to release materials (wastewater and sludge) that have gone through secondary treatment into open waters?
-Aquatic organisms tend to be poorly adapted to rapid temperature change. -Oxygen solubility in water decreases as temperatures increase.
Why is thermal pollution dangerous for organisms?
Containment
spreading To restrain dirty water or liquid wastes in a place in order to keep them from spreading