Have an account?
Skip to Content
Build your own quiz
Suggestions for you
15 questions
Show Answers
See Preview
- 1. Multiple Choice
Which of the following indicates that a body of water is contaminated with human wastewater?
Low BOD and a fecal coliform bacteria level of 0
High levels of nutrients, such as N and P and high BOD
Low BOD and low levels of nutrients such as N and P
A lack of dead zones
- 2. Multiple Choice
Both septic and sewage treatment plants utilize bacteria to break down organic material. Where in each system does this process occur?
Septic tank and leach field; primary treatment and secondary treatment
Septic tank only; primary treatment and chlorination
Leach field only; secondary treatment only
septic tank and leach field, secondary treatment only
- 3. Multiple Choice
Under which of the following circumstances are sewage treatment plants legally permitted to bypass normal treatment protocols and discharge sewage directly into a lake or river?
When receiving surface water is designated for swimming only
when the population of the surrounding community surpasses the plants capabilities
When combined volumes of storm water and wastewater exceed the capacity of an older plant
When an extended period of drought restricts water flow in a lake or river.
- 4. Multiple Choice
Human waste water results in which of the following water pollution problems?
Decomposition of organic matter reduces dissolved oxygen levels
Decomposition of organic matter releases great quantities of nutrients
Pathogenic organisms are carried to surface waters
All of the above
- 5. Multiple Choice
Tertiary treatment of wastewater
removes pathogen
reduces sediment
reduces eutrophication
removes heavy metals
reduces the amount of sludge
- 6. Multiple Choice
Which of the following inorganic substances is naturally occurring in rocks, soluble in groundwater and toxic at low concentrations?
Mercury
Lead
PCB's
Copper
Arsenic
- 7. Multiple Choice
Acid mine drainage occurs when acidic water formed belowground makes its way to the surface; the acidic water is formed in flooded abandoned mines where the underwater
reacts with a type of rock, pyrite, which releases iron and hydrogen ions.
reacts with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide to form sulfuric and nitric acids
flushes out the chemicals used in the mining process
permeates a limestone layer that lowers pH
reacts with copper and aluminum to form pyrite rock and hydrogen ions
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about non-point source pollution is NOT correct?
NPS results from rain or snowmelt moving over or permeating through the ground
NPS is more difficult to control, measure, and regulate than point source pollution
NPS includes sediment from improperly managed construction sites
NPS is water pollution that originates from a distinct source such as a pipe or tank.
NPS disperses pollutants over a large area, such as oil and grease in a parking lot.
- 9. Multiple Choice
Which of the following metals poses a health risk to human who eat large quantities of marine fish such as swordfish and tuna
Mercury
lead
copper
iron
- 10. Multiple Choice
Eutrophication results in the death of trout and other fish as a result of
toxic pH levels in the water
asphyxiation from lack of oxygen
toxic levels of mercury in the water
toxic concentrations of salt in the water
- 11. Multiple Choice
Major anthropogenic sources of nitrogen pollution include commercial fertilizer, vehicles exhaust, industrial air pollution, and
disposal of refridgeration units
discharge of sewage into surface waters
ocean dumping of trash
use of persistent pesticides
oils spills
- 12. Multiple Choice
In 2014, residents of several cities that use Lake Erie as a drinking water source were warned not to drink tap water because of the presence of toxins released by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Which of the following is the most likely cause of recent blooms of blue-green algae in Lake Erie?
Increased recreational use of Lake Erie
Cooler than average summer temps
Phosphorous contained in agricultural runoff
Carbon in wastewater from fracking
Chlorine from sewage treatment plants along the Lake.
- 13. Multiple Choice
Storm water runoff from a new residential development will likely lead to the following
Biomagnification of mercury in birds of prey like eagles
improved recreational opportunities for swimmers
destruction of fish habitats by high levels of suspended and sediments
contamination of drinking water supplies by VOCs such as ozone
increased incidence of waterborne diseases such as malaria
- 14. Multiple Choice
The presence of which in the soil is most likely to neutralize acid rain?
Limestone
granite
sand
radon
humus
- 15. Multiple Choice
Some studies have indicated that amphibian populations are declining and exposure to herbicides in agricultural runoff is implicated in the decline. Which of the following is the most likely explanation of how herbicides affect amphibians?
The herbicides are fat soluble and accumulate in groundwater
The herbicides act as a plant nutrient causing an algal bloom
The herbicides act as endocrine disruptors
The herbicides contain heavy metals
- Answer choicesTagsAnswer choicesTags