Chapter 21 water pollution
10. Which of the following correctly identifies a source of possible lead poisoning for humans? A) Food cans soldered with lead. B) Bioaccumulation of lead in albacore tuna C) Prolonged exposure to fluorescent lights D) Emissions from coal-burning E) Bacterial agents transmitting lead particles
A
22. Secondary water treatment: A) uses aerobic microorganisms to decompose organic wastes. B) removes phosphorus and nitrogen. C) involves the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes. D) removes heavy metals and pesticides. E) All of these
A
25. Red tides: A) may be toxic to marine animals, as well as to humans. B) only cause problems when the algal species involved are toxic C) are the result of a population explosion of disease-causing marine bacteria D) are triggered by low quantities of phosphorus and nitrogen in coastal waters E) are independent of ocean water temperatures
A
3. Sewage is degraded by the process of: A) cellular respiration. B) photosynthesis. C) enrichment. D) eutrophication. E) primary treatment
A
33. Which of the following statements about mercury is false? A) Methyl mercury compounds are unusual in that they cannot cross the body's blood-brain barrier. B) Significant amounts of mercury are released into the environment during the smelting of other metals. C) Human exposure to mercury is primarily by eating marine animals containing high levels of mercury. D) Methyl mercury compounds are more toxic forms of mercury that readily enter the food web. E) Methyl mercury compounds persist in the environment for a long time.
A
34. Use the associated table to determine which of the following water temperatures will have the greatest quantity of dissolved oxygen available to aquatic animals. Temperature (ºC) Dissolved Oxygen (g/L) 0 0.0141 10 0.0109 20 0.0092 25 0.0083 30 0.0077 35 0.0070 40 0.0065 A) 10 ºC B) 20 ºC C) 25 ºC D) 30 ºC E) 40 ºC
A
39. Which of the following associations correctly identifies a group at high risk from lead poisoning and the group's associated health problem? A) middle-aged men and hypertension B) middle-aged women and weight gain C) pregnant women and partial hearing loss D) children and blindness E) dogs and parasitic heart worms
A
48. Which of the following is the maximum amount of water pollutant that can be discharged from a certain source? A) national emission limitations B) maximum contaminant level C) artificial contaminant governance D) discharge regulation standards E) none of these
A
5. Sediment pollution is caused by: A) erosion. B) disease-causing agents. C) fertilizers. D) toxic compounds. E) heated water.
A
53. Which of the following occurs in sewage treatment plants when excessive rainfall causes sewage water to flow into waterways without being treated? A) combined sewer overflow B) isolated sewer overflow C) point source pollution D) industrial wastewater E) none of the above
A
57. Sediment disposition forces about 200 acres into the Adriatic Sea from which region every year? A) Po River, Italy B) Ganges River, India C) Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela D) Kwale River, Bangladesh E) None of these
A
1. Arcata, California's low-tech, natural wastewater treatment system relies on which of the following? A) a river B) wetlands C) a lake D) the ocean E) a dam
B
14. Thermal pollution: A) only impacts the respiration of fishes and other aquatic animals B) decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen.. C) has little effect on smaller aquatic organisms. D) greatly increases turbidity. E) is linked to agricultural run-off.
B
17. Pollution that is discharged into the environment through pipes, sewers, or ditches is called: A) polluted runoff. B) point source pollution. C) nonpoint source pollution. D) specific discharge. E) effluent runoff.
B
21. Primary water treatment: A) uses aerobic microorganisms to decompose organic wastes. B) removes suspended particles. C) removes phosphorus and nitrogen. D) involves the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes. E) removes heavy metals and pesticides.
B
28. All of the following conditions can be transmitted through contaminated food and water except? A) Infectious hepatiti B) AIDS C) Bacterial dysentery D) Cholera E) Typhoid
B
41. A large amount of sewage: A) generates a high BOD, which raises the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. B) generates a high BOD, which lowers the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. C) generates a low BOD, which raises the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. D) generates a low BOD, which lowers the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. E) does not effect the BOD.
B
45. Put the following events of septic system operation in the correct order of occurrence: I. Household sewage is piped into septic tank. II. Wastewater containing suspended material flows into drain field. III. Purified wastewater percolates into groundwater or evaporates from soil IV. Bacteria decompose organic material in well-aerated soil. V. Heavy particles settle out of water and bacteria decompose grease and oil. A) I - II - III - IV - V B) I - V - II - IV - III C) I - IV - III - V - II E) I - IV - III - II - V D) I - III - V - II - IV
B
6. Turbidity: A) is caused by toxic chemicals. B) impairs the ability of producers to photosynthesize. C) is directly correlated with bacterial contamination. D) lowers the water temperature. E) increases light penetration.
B
8. Which of the following is an example of a synthetic organic compound found in polluted water? A) carbon dioxide. B) chloroform C) chlorine D) salt E) heavy metals
B
12. Mercury: A) does not occur naturally in the environment, but is a pollutant produced by exclusively human activities. B) emissions are generated exclusively by municipal and medical waste incinerators. C) emissions are linked to/produced by coal-fired power plants. D) emissions are strictly regulated by the Clean Air Act. E) cannot be removed from power plant emissions by the technology currently available.
C
18. 72% of the water pollution in rivers is attributed to: A) industries. B) household wastes. C) agriculture. D) mining. E) logging.
C
2. One major problem with sewage is that it adds which of the following to water? A) sodium chloride and dissolved oxygen B) carbon dioxide and nitrogen C) nitrogen and phosphorus D) human wastes and heavy metals E) soil and microorganisms
C
23. The Safe Drinking Water Act: A) was passed in 1965. B) allowed states to set their own standards for drinking water. C) required the EPA to determine the maximum contaminant levels for drinking water. D) established the Environmental Protection Agency. E) established national emission limitations for water pollutants.
C
26. A fecal coliform test is a water-quality test for the presence of: A) disease causing bacteria. B) red blood cells in feces C) the common intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. D) Human Immunodeficiency virus. E) pathogenic organisms.
C
29. Given the data in the graph below, at what approximate distance downstream from the spill will a fish kill be most likely? A) 0 km B) 5 km C) 30 km D) 90 km E) 120 km
C
36. Which of the following nonpoint source pollutants is incorrectly matched with an effect? A) soil erosion from fields — sediment pollution B) animal waste — water enrichment C) plant residues — low BOD D) fertilizer runoff — water enrichment E) chemical pesticides — health issues for aquatic organisms
C
4. Escherichia coli: A) is a deadly virus found in sewage. B) is an infectious protozoan. C) is a good indicator of the amount of sewage in the water. D) cannot be transmitted through water. E) was responsible for a large outbreak of diarrhea in Milwaukee in 1993
C
40. Which of the following associations correctly pairs the current law with its goal controlling water pollution? A) Refuse Act (1899) - eliminates the discharge of pollutants into sanitary landfills B) Clean Water Act (1987) - sets the amount of tax to charge polluters to pay for the cleanup C) Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) - sets uniform federal standards for public drinking water supplies D) Great Lakes Toxic Substance Control Agreement ( 1960) - regulates underground injection of wastes E) All of the above are correctly paired
C
49. Which of the following organizations is dedicated to protecting bodies of water and enforcing water pollution laws in the U.S.? A) The Sierra Club B) Hippies C) Water Keeper Alliance D) United Citizen Watchdogs E) Clean Water Coalition
C
55. Which of the following is not a true statement about medicines polluting the water? A) medicines pass through wastewater treatment systems without being altered and removed B) the chemicals in medicines occur in smaller amounts compared to other pollutants C) they can be easily removed D) synthetic molecules can be hard to break down E) environmental impacts can be substantial even at low concentrations
C
58. Which form of water treatment reduces phosphorus and nitrogen and purifies wastewater for reuse in communities where water is scarce? A) primary treatment B) secondary treatment C) tertiary treatment D) quaternary treatment E) quinary treatment
C
7. The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is: A) home to numerous bacteria and bottom dwellers, such as sea stars and spiny lobsters, but no fishes. B) due to regular dumping of untreated human sewage into the gulf. C) a large zone of hypoxia caused by excessive decomposition of algae. D) present year round. E) the largest oxygen-free zone identified to date.
C
9. Inorganic chemicals: A) are contaminants that contain carbon in addition to other elements. B) are easily degraded or broken down in the environment. C) are found in groundwater and surface water. D) may be toxic to aquatic organisms, but are safe for human consumption. E) are produced by urban, rather than industrial, sources.
C
11. Mercury and lead: A) are parts of acid precipitation. B) affect only small organisms. C) do not cause serious problems in the United States. D) cause mental impairment. E) are radioactive.
D
16. Lakes with naturally occurring low levels of nutrients are called: A) hypoxic. B) eutrophic. C) enriched. D) oligotrophic. E) polluted.
D
35. Which of the following is not an example of nonpoint source pollution? A) agricultural runoff B) erosion from logging operations C) acid mine drainage E) construction sediment D) sewage treatment plant effluent
D
42. What is the difference between an oligotrophic lake and a eutrophic lake? A) An oligotropic lake is enriched; a eutrophic lake is unriched. B) Oligotropic lakes are found only in northern latitudes; eutrophic lakes are found only in southern latitudes. C) An oligotropic lake is defined as less than 40 meters deep; a eutrophic lake is defined as over 40 meters deep. D) An oligotropic lake has a low level of nutrients; a eutrophic lake has a high level of nutrients.
D
44. You can make a difference preventing water pollution. Which of the following is a TRUE "DO" or "DON'T" statement for preventing water pollution? A) DO: run the tap while brushing teeth. B) DON'T: substitute less hazardous household cleaning chemicals. C) DO: make sure pesticides are used indoors and outdoors. D) DON'T: pour used motor oil or antifreeze down storm drains or on the ground. E) DO: replace trees, shrubs and ground cover with grass lawn (turf).
D
46. Wastewater, including sewage, usually undergoes several treatments at a sewage treatment plant. Match the treatment with the process for expected outcome. A) primary treatment: eliminating inorganic and organic compounds by aerating and circulating the wastewater. B) tertiary treatment: biologically decomposing suspended organic material. C) secondary treatment: reducing phosphorus and nitrogen levels with a filtering system. D) primary treatment: removing suspended and floating particles by mechanical processes. E) tertiary treatment: evaporation of wastewater to concentrate sludge.
D
56. Which of the following statements about groundwater pollution is true? A) the most common pollutants come from nuclear power plants B) low nitrate levels in drinking water become a concern in rural areas C) municipal systems are very concerned with the nitrate levels in drinking water D) nitrates contaminate shallow groundwater E) none of the above are true
D
13. Radon: A) is produced by industry in large quantities. B) is a component of acid precipitation. C) causes mental impairment. D) causes nutrient enrichment of water. E) is a radioactive gas.
E
15. Eutrophication: A) lessens biodiversity. B) lowers the dissolved oxygen content of the water. C) is caused by nutrient enrichment. D) results in increased photosynthetic productivity. E) All of the above
E
19. In a water treatment plant, chlorination: A) removes suspended particles B) uses aerobic microorganisms to decompose organic wastes. C) removes phosphorus and nitrogen. D) involves the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes. E) kills disease-causing organisms.
E
20. Fluoridation: A) helps to keep drinking water free of disease-causing organisms. B) is more common in the western United States than on the east coast. C) may eventually be replaced by ultraviolet disinfection or filtration through activated carbon granules. D) is the main reason for the 80 to 90% decrease in tooth decay observed in children over the past few decades. E) has not been linked to any serious medical conditions or side effects.
E
24. A unique source of water pollution contributing to problems in the Ganges River is: A) raw sewage B) disease-causing organisms C) zebra mussels D) PCs E) ash from human cremations
E
30. Given the data in the graph, at what approximate distance downstream from the spill does the dissolved oxygen level recover to its original, pre-spill level? A) 15 km B) 30 km C) 60 km D) 90 km E) 120 km
E
31. Which of the following is not a potential solution to the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico? A) further treating wastewater to remove phosphorus and nitrogen B) restoring the wetlands in the Mississippi River C) reducing the amount of fertilizer used along the Mississippi River watershed D) reducing nitrogen oxides from automobile emissions E) limit agriculture, both crops and livestock, along the Mississippi River
E
32. Which statement is not true about organic compounds? A) They contain carbon. B) They can be pesticides, solvents, or plastics C) They come from industries, homes, and farms. D) The human body makes some organic compounds. E) None of these, all are true statements about organic compounds
E
37. Groundwater can be contaminated from all of the following sources except: A) backyards. B) municipal sanitary landfills. C) intensively cultivated agricultural lands. D) underground petroleum storage tanks. E) None of thesw, all are potential sources of groundwater contamination.
E
38. All of the following can be used to dispose of the sludge formed during wastewater treatment except: A) application to soil as a fertilizer B) incineration. C) ocean dumping. D) anaerobic digestion. E) filtration through activated carbon granules.
E
43. Coastal hypoxia can be reversed through: A) eliminating the use of pesticides. B) building dams to create reservoirs. C) controlling the mercury emission from power plants. D) regulating the disposal of medical wastes. E) restoring former wetlands in the watershed to reduce the nitrate and phosphate load from fertilizers.
E
47. Which of the following is a basic goal of the Clean Water Act? A) to eliminate the discharge of pollutants B) to attain water quality levels that are safe for fishing and swimming C) to punish heavy waterway polluters D) set uniform federal standards for drinking water E) both a and b
E
50. Which of the following is a synthetic organic compound found in polluted water? A) pesticides B) industrial chemicals C) plastic D) solvents E) all of the above
E
52. Which of the following heavy metals contaminates water and can accumulate in human muscle tissue? A) lead B) aluminum C) mercury D) iron E) both a and c
E
54. Which of the following industries contributes to a high BOD? A) food processing B) nuclear power C) agriculture D) pulp and paper mills E) both a and d
E
7. All of the following represent a category of water pollution except: A) thermal pollution. B) organic compounds. C) disease-causing agents. E) oligotrophic pollution D) sediment pollution.
E
