Module 12 Environmental Science Quiz Answers

The discharging of warm water into bodies of water after using it for cooling which can affect oxygen levels for aquatic life is

thermal pollution

What is the conversion of salt water into fresh water called?

Desalination

Occurs when pollutants are discharged from various sources that are unidentifiable.

Nonpoint-source pollution

Occurs when a pollutant is discharged from a single source, such as a leaking oil tanker, a factory, or sewage treatment plant.

Point-source pollution

The overconcentration of nutrients in bodies of water due to human activities, such as farming or cleaning products is

artificial eutrophication

When pollutants increase as you move up a food chain or food web, ___________________ is occurring.

biomagnification

A structure built across a river to control its flow is a(n)

dam

The conversion of salt water into fresh water is

desalination

What do we call a rock's ability to allow water to flow through it?

permeability

Once water has been treated and the harmful elements have been removed, it is considered

potable

The point at which water from Earth's surface reaches down into an aquifer is called a(n)

recharge zone

A large flowing network of streams and rivers moving across a land area is a

river system

Fresh water that is available in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams is considered

surface water

Water that may contain toxic substances and biodegradable material from industries or homes that is sent to treatment plants to make it safe for return to a lake or river is

wastewater

Land area that is drained by a river is a(n)

watershed