Exam 11: Water Resources and Water Pollution

Drip irrigation systems are highly efficient in getting water to crops, with 90 to 95% of water reaching plant roots rather than being wasted.

What aquatic ecosystem is most capable of diluting, dispersing, and degrading large amounts of sewage, sludge, and oil?

Make a list of at least four major water pollutants and their sources.

List at least five things you are willing to do to help eliminate water waste. As part of your answer explain why these things are important.

Large amounts of rain can cause water from streams to spread onto surrounding ____________________.

How is an oxygen sag curve created?

When too much groundwater is taken from an area, saltwater intrusion can result and lead to groundwater contamination.

What is the primary problem with drawing excessive amounts of groundwater from near ocean coastlines?

When the weather is dry or when groundwater is removed for human use, the ____________________ may be lowered.

One of the most serious overdrafts of groundwater is in the United States in the lower half of the ________________aquifer.

Almost half of the earth's land could experience extreme drought by 2045 due almost entirely to natural drought cycles.

What action could help decrease the single largest use of domestic water in the United States?

Discuss the major issues associated with freshwater resources in the United States.

Even if a stream is overloaded with non-biodegradable pollutants, it can recover on its own relatively quickly through a natural recovery process once the pollution stops.

A lake that is beautifully clear, so that it's possible to see right through to the bottom because there is so little organic debris, is called eutrophic.

The desalination process called ____________________ (or microfiltration) uses high pressure to force saltwater through a filter that removes the salt and other impurities.

Eutrophication is a condition of natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake, estuary, or slow-moving stream.

When South Africa raised water prices, low-income consumers were helped by establishing ____________________, which give each household a set amount of free or low-priced water to meet basic needs.

How will climate change affect water availability?

Large dams and reservoirs ____.