The individual matters in terms of what can be done to help reduce water pollution. All of the following are things we can do, except

The individual matters in terms of what can be done to help reduce water pollution. All of the following are things we can do, except

a. Fertilize gardens and lawns with manure or compost instead of fertilizers.
b. Minimize use of pesticides.
c. Compost food waste.
d. Do not flush unwanted medicines down the toilet.
e. Buy commercially produced foods.

Answer: E

Waterless, odorless composting toilet systems have all of the following advantages, except

Waterless, odorless composting toilet systems have all of the following advantages, except

a. converts human fecal material to soil-like fertilizer supplement
b. removes toxic and hazardous chemicals
c. saves large amounts of water
d. decreases energy used to pump and purify water
e. cheaper to install and maintain

Answer: B

Which of the following types of sewage treatment are properly matched?

Which of the following types of sewage treatment are properly matched?

a. primarybiological process
b. secondarymechanical process
c. advanced physical and chemical processes
d. secondarychemical process
e. primarychemical process

Answer: C

In a septic tank system, which of the following is not true?

In a septic tank system, which of the following is not true?

a. Wastewater is pumped into a settling tank.
b. Grease and oil rise to the top in the tank.
c. Solids are decomposed by bacteria.
d. Bacteria-treated waste is discharged in an absorption field.
e. After leaving the absorption field, wastewater is cleaned and can be used again for human consumption.

Answer: E

The Clean Water Act could be strengthened by all of the following strategies, except

The Clean Water Act could be strengthened by all of the following strategies, except

a. prevention and control of toxic water pollution
b. more funding for integrated airshed and watershed planning
c. allowing citizens to bring lawsuits to ensure that water pollution laws are enforced
d. establishing national effluent standards
e. requiring states to do a better job of monitoring and enforcing water pollution laws

Answer: D

About ____ of U.S. lakes were tested unsafe for fishing, swimming, and other recreational uses.

About ____ of U.S. lakes were tested unsafe for fishing, swimming, and other recreational uses.

a. 25%
b. 45%
c. 65%
d. 75%
e. 85%

Answer: B

Farmers can reduce agricultural runoff by all of the following, except

Farmers can reduce agricultural runoff by all of the following, except

a. using slow-release fertilizers
b. keeping cropland covered with vegetation
c. planting buffer zones between cultivated lands and water
d. using no fertilizer on steeply sloped land
e. switching from row crops to animal feedlots

Answer: E

The oil company responsible for the oil spill of the Valdez was

The oil company responsible for the oil spill of the Valdez was

a. Alaska
b. Gulf
c. Exxon
d. Sunoco
e. Texaco

Answer: C

The most common problem encountered by seabirds coated with oil is

The most common problem encountered by seabirds coated with oil is

a. immediate death
b. vulnerability to predators
c. loss of buoyancy and insulation, causing deaths from exposure
d. poisoning by taking in the oil internally
e. starvation

Answer: C

The majority of the oil pollution of the ocean comes from

The majority of the oil pollution of the ocean comes from

a. blowouts (rupture of a borehole of an oil rig in the ocean)
b. tanker accidents
c. environmental terrorism
d. runoff from land
e. normal operation of offshore wells

Answer: D

___ of the world's population lives on or within 160 miles of the coast.

___ of the world's population lives on or within 160 miles of the coast.

a. 20%
b. 30%
c. 40%
d. 50%
e. 60%



Answer: C

In a 2005 report on the ecological health of coastal areas in the lower 48 states, the EPA classified ____ estuaries as threatened or impaired.

In a 2005 report on the ecological health of coastal areas in the lower 48 states, the EPA classified ____ estuaries as threatened or impaired.

a. one of two
b. one of four
c. one of ten
d. four of five
e. nine of ten

Answer: D

Which of the following aquatic ecosystems may be most capable of diluting, dispersing, and degrading large amounts of sewage, sludge, and oil?

Which of the following aquatic ecosystems may be most capable of diluting, dispersing, and degrading large amounts of sewage, sludge, and oil?

a. estuary
b. swiftly flowing stream
c. deep-water ocean
d. coastal parts of the ocean
e. slow-moving river

Answer: C

Bottled water in the U.S. costs 240 to 100,000 times more than tap water, yet ____ of bottled water is contaminated by fungi and bacteria.

Bottled water in the U.S. costs 240 to 100,000 times more than tap water, yet ____ of bottled water is contaminated by fungi and bacteria.

a. 10%
b. 20%
c. 30%
d. 40%
e. 50%

Answer: D

According to the EPA, one in ____ Americans drinks water supplied by a water treatment plant that has violated one or more safety standards during part of the year.

According to the EPA, one in ____ Americans drinks water supplied by a water treatment plant that has violated one or more safety standards during part of the year.

a. 10
b. 5
c. 4
d. 3
e. 2

Answer: B

Which of the following is not a means of purifying water for drinking?

Which of the following is not a means of purifying water for drinking?

a. protecting watersheds from pollution
b. exposing water in a clear plastic bottle to intense sunlight
c. nanofilters
d. carbon nanotubes
e. centrifugation

Answer: E

The only effective way to protect groundwater is to

The only effective way to protect groundwater is to

a. prevent contamination
b. use monitoring wells
c. cover all wells carefully
d. treat all water from underground sources
e. use advanced sewage treatment

Answer: A

Arsenic levels are 5100 times the standard for 140 million people living in ____.

Arsenic levels are 5100 times the standard for 140 million people living in ____.

a. the United States
b. Western Europe and as far east as Poland
c. Central and South America
d. China, Bangladesh, and part of India
e. industrial areas of the United States

Answer: D

Which of the following statements about MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is not true?

Which of the following statements about MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is not true?

a. It is a gasoline additive.
b. It is a suspected carcinogen.
c. It is a potential alternative fuel with no noticeable serious environmental effects.
d. It has leaked into and contaminated aquifers throughout the country.
e. It is being phased out of use.

Answer: C

Over the 21st century, scientists expect to find many millions of ____ to become a major global health problem.

Over the 21st century, scientists expect to find many millions of ____ to become a major global health problem.

a. people
b. carcinogens
c. solar panels
d. leaking underground storage tanks
e. leaking solid waste landfills

Answer: D

Contaminated groundwater can not cleanse itself for all of the following reasons, except

Contaminated groundwater can not cleanse itself for all of the following reasons, except

a. Groundwater does not move at all.
b. Contaminants are not dispersed effectively.
c. Lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen exist for decomposition.
d. Usually cold temperatures slow down reactions.
e. Contaminants are not diluted easily.

Answer: A

Drinking water for about ____ of the U.S. population and ____ of the rural populations comes from groundwater.

Drinking water for about ____ of the U.S. population and ____ of the rural populations comes from groundwater.

a. 50%; 50%
b. 50%; 95%
c. 10%; 50%
d. 10%; 95%
e. 75%; 75%

Answer: B

The 2007 State of the Great Lakes report found all of the following problems still exist in the lakes, except

The 2007 State of the Great Lakes report found all of the following problems still exist in the lakes, except

a. Native carnivorous fish are declining in most of the lakes.
b. There is continuing wetland loss and degradation of habitats.
c. New pollutants in the lakes including pharmaceuticals.
d. Populations of native species at the base of the food chain are declining.
e. Dissolved oxygen levels continue to decline.

Answer: E

One fish in ____ taken from the Great Lakes is unsafe for human consumption.

One fish in ____ taken from the Great Lakes is unsafe for human consumption.

a. ten
b. seven
c. five
d. four
e. three

Answer: D

Less than ____% of the water entering the Great Lakes leaves the St. Lawrence River.

Less than ____% of the water entering the Great Lakes leaves the St. Lawrence River.

a. 1
b. 8
c. 16
d. 32
e. 64

Answer: A

The Great Lakes possess ____% of all the surface fresh water in the United States.

The Great Lakes possess ____% of all the surface fresh water in the United States.

a. 35
b. 95
c. 75
d. 55
e. 45

Answer: B

Which of the following would not reduce cultural eutrophication?

Which of the following would not reduce cultural eutrophication?

a. Dredge lake bottoms.
b. Pump oxygen into lakes.
c. Institute land-use control to prevent nutrient runoff.
d. Prevent as much outflow or drainage as possible from the lake.
e. Remove excess weeds.

Answer: D

All of the following are cleanup methods of controlling cultural eutrophication, except

All of the following are cleanup methods of controlling cultural eutrophication, except

a. using advanced waste treatment
b. treating plant growth with herbicides
c. harvesting excess weeds
d. pumping air through reservoirs to avoid oxygen depletion
e. removing algae using algicides

Answer: A

Which of the following is not a preventative method of reducing cultural eutrophication?

Which of the following is not a preventative method of reducing cultural eutrophication?

a. banning the use of phosphate detergents
b. stopping the runoff of fertilizer from agricultural fields
c. advanced waste treatment
d. harvesting excess weeds
e. soil conservation and land-use measures

Answer: D

In cultural eutrophication, fish die from

In cultural eutrophication, fish die from

a. acid deposition
b. decreasing solar energy used in photosynthesis
c. toxic substances in the water
d. increased sediment reducing habitats
e. loss of space

Answer: B

The natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake, estuary, or slow moving stream is called

The natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake, estuary, or slow moving stream is called

a. oligotrophy
b. spring/fall overturn
c. upwellings
d. red tides
e. eutrophication

Answer: E

Which of the following statements about lakes is true?

Which of the following statements about lakes is true?

a. Stratified layers of lakes are characterized by vertical mixing.
b. Stratification increases levels of dissolved oxygen, especially in the bottom layer.
c. Lakes are more vulnerable than streams to contamination by plant nutrients, oil, pesticides, and toxic substances that can destroy bottom life.
d. Lakes have more flushing than streams.
e. Changing of water in lakes takes days to weeks.

Answer: C

According to the Global Water Policy Project, most cities in developing countries discharge ____ of their untreated sewage directly into rivers, streams, and lakes whose waters are then used for human consumption.

According to the Global Water Policy Project, most cities in developing countries discharge ____ of their untreated sewage directly into rivers, streams, and lakes whose waters are then used for human consumption.

a. 1020%
b. 2030%
c. 4050%
d. 5060%
e. 8090%

Answer: E

In most developed countries, large fish kills and contamination of drinking water may be caused by all of the following except

In most developed countries, large fish kills and contamination of drinking water may be caused by all of the following except

a. malfunctioning sewage treatment plants
b. accidental release of toxic industrial chemicals
c. deliberate release of toxic industrial chemicals
d. accidental release of predatory exotic species
e. pesticides and plant nutrients from agricultural sources

Answer: D

Which of the following statements is false?

Which of the following statements is false?

a. Requiring cities to withdraw water downstream of the city would reduce pollution.
b. Slow-flowing rivers are less susceptible to pollutants than fast-flowing streams.
c. The width and depth of the oxygen sag curve is dependent on water volume and flow rate.
d. Streams can recover from degradable pollutants as long as they are not overloaded.
e. Oxygen sag curves show the time and distance needed for a stream to recover.

Answer: B

Oxygen sag curves

Oxygen sag curves

a. may occur during spring floods
b. occur when oxygen-demanding wastes are added to the water
c. develop in fast-flowing rivers
d. may occur upstream from a sewage treatment plant
e. all of these

Answer: B

Which of the following statements is false?

Which of the following statements is false?

a. Because of their flow, most streams can recover rapidly from pollution by heat and biodegradable waste.
b. In rapidly flowing rivers, dissolved oxygen is replaced quickly.
c. The amount of oxygen in rivers declines in dry seasons.
d. The amount of oxygen in rivers increases as the water's temperature rises.
e. The amount of oxygen in rivers increases as the water's temperature falls

Answer: D

To determine the presence and concentration of water pollutants, scientists are least likely to use

To determine the presence and concentration of water pollutants, scientists are least likely to use

a. chemical analysis of water samples
b. satellite photographs
c. analysis of indicator species
d. genetically engineered bacteria and yeasts
e. chemical analysis of sediment

Answer: B

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

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

a. sewage treatment plant
b. electric power plant
c. active and inactive coal mine
d. logged forest
e. factory

Answer: D

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

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

a. offshore oil wells
b. livestock feedlots
c. urban lands
d. croplands
e. parking lots

Answer: A

A body of water can be depleted of its oxygen by

A body of water can be depleted of its oxygen by

a. viruses and parasitic worms
b. organic wastes
c. sediments and suspended matter
d. organic compounds such as oil, plastics, solvents, and detergents
e. inorganic wastes

Answer: B

To be considered safe for swimming, a 100 milliliter sample of water should contain ____ or fewer colonies of coliform bacteria.

To be considered safe for swimming, a 100 milliliter sample of water should contain ____ or fewer colonies of coliform bacteria.

a. 0
b. 5
c. 10
d. 100
e. 200

Answer: E

To be considered safe for drinking, a 100 milliliter sample of water should contain ____ colonies of coliform bacteria.

To be considered safe for drinking, a 100 milliliter sample of water should contain ____ colonies of coliform bacteria.

a. 0
b. 5
c. 10
d. 100
e. 200

Answer: A

A good indicator of water quality is the number of

A good indicator of water quality is the number of

a. ducks
b. fish
c. turtles
d. coliform bacteria
e. protozoa

Answer: D

Of the following organisms, the group that is least likely to cause disease is

Of the following organisms, the group that is least likely to cause disease is

a. bacteria
b. protozoa
c. algae
d. parasitic worms
e. viruses

Answer: C

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates how many people on earth do not have access to clean drinking water?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates how many people on earth do not have access to clean drinking water?

a. 1 out of 100
b. 1 out of 50
c. 1 out of 20
d. 1 out of 10
e. 1 out of 6

Answer: E

Which of the following is by far the leading cause of water pollution?

Which of the following is by far the leading cause of water pollution?

a. mining
b. factories
c. sewage treatment plants
d. agriculture activities
e. ocean-going shipping

Answer: D

When researchers studying Lake Washington got no action from treatment plant managers, they did which of the following?

When researchers studying Lake Washington got no action from treatment plant managers, they did which of the following?

a. went on to something new
b. went to the Washington State legislature for help
c. went to the EPA for help
d. educated the public
e. wrote more scientific articles

Answer: D

The degradation of Lake Washington resulted from the introduction by sewage treatment plants of which of the following?

The degradation of Lake Washington resulted from the introduction by sewage treatment plants of which of the following?

a. phosphorus
b. nitrogen
c. oxygen
d. chlorine
e. fecal material

Answer: A

Lake Washington, near Seattle, was degraded by the growth of which of the following?

Lake Washington, near Seattle, was degraded by the growth of which of the following?

a. coliform bacteria
b. protozoans
c. snails
d. aquatic plants
e. cyanobacteria

Answer: E