4.1.2 Water Pollution

• Organic pollutants are biodegradable substances that deplete oxygen levels in water
• Thermal pollutants refer to excess heat from industrial processes that disrupt aquatic ecosystems
• Order the two main classifications of water pollution sources based on their nature.

  1️⃣ Point Sources: Direct discharge from specific locations

  2️⃣ Non-point Sources: Diffuse pollution from larger areas
• Non-point sources of water pollution include agricultural runoff, storm drains, and urban runoff
• Organic pollutants from agricultural runoff can include sewage, manure, and food processing waste
• Thermal pollutants often originate from warm cooling water discharged by power plants
• Point sources of water pollution are direct discharges from specific locations
• Point sources of water pollution are harder to trace than non-point sources.

  False
• Inorganic pollutants are non-biodegradable substances that can be toxic to aquatic life
• Microbial pollutants include disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
• What are the main types of water pollutants?

  Organic, inorganic, thermal, microbial
• Inorganic pollutants can be toxic to aquatic life
• What does biodiversity loss refer to in the context of water pollution?

  Reduction in plant and animal species
• Bioaccumulation can lead to toxicity in top predators.


  True
• Match the water pollution management strategy with its description:

  Wastewater treatment ↔️ Removing pollutants from wastewater

  Pollution prevention ↔️ Reducing pollutant generation at the source

  Ecosystem restoration ↔️ Rehabilitating damaged aquatic habitats

  Regulation and enforcement ↔️ Implementing and enforcing water pollution laws
• Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies with substances that degrade their quality
• Inorganic pollutants can be toxic to aquatic life
• Non-point sources of water pollution are harder to trace than point sources.

  True
• Thermal pollutants from industrial processes disrupt aquatic ecosystems
• Pollutants can degrade or destroy aquatic habitats
• Excessive algal growth in water bodies leads to oxygen depletion, a process called eutrophication
• What does water quality testing analyze in water samples?

  Pollutant levels
• Pollution prevention aims to reduce or eliminate pollutants at the source
• What does wastewater treatment remove from industrial and municipal wastewater?

  Pollutants
• The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) focuses on protecting drinking water supplies
• Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies with substances that degrade water quality
• Inorganic pollutants are non-biodegradable and can be toxic to aquatic life
• Microbial pollutants include disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
• Point sources of water pollution include factories, sewage treatment plants, and oil spills
• Match the type of water pollutant with its description.

  Organic Pollutants ↔️ Biodegradable substances that deplete oxygen levels

  Inorganic Pollutants ↔️ Non-biodegradable substances toxic to aquatic life

  Thermal Pollutants ↔️ Excess heat that disrupts ecosystems

  Microbial Pollutants ↔️ Disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
• Inorganic pollutants include heavy metals, acids, and salts such as lead, mercury, and sulfuric acid
• Microbial pollutants can include bacteria like E. coli and salmonella
• Non-point sources of water pollution are diffuse and come from larger areas
• Organic pollutants are biodegradable substances that deplete oxygen levels in water
• Thermal pollutants from industrial processes can disrupt aquatic ecosystems
• Inorganic pollutants such as heavy metals, acids, and salts are non-biodegradable
• Organic pollutants deplete oxygen levels in water.


  True
• Match the type of water pollutant with its description:

  Organic Pollutants ↔️ Biodegradable substances that deplete oxygen

  Inorganic Pollutants ↔️ Non-biodegradable toxic substances

  Thermal Pollutants ↔️ Excess heat disrupting ecosystems

  Microbial Pollutants ↔️ Disease-causing bacteria and viruses
• Eutrophication occurs when excessive nutrients lead to excessive algal growth
• What is water quality testing used for in water pollution monitoring?

  Analyzing pollutant levels