2.2.2 Water Quality

• Physical indicators of water quality include temperature, turbidity, and visual appearance
• The presence of E. coli in water indicates fecal contamination.


  True
• What does the 'temperature' indicator measure in water quality?

  Warmth or coolness
• The 'color' indicator measures the appearance or tint of the water.
• Order the water quality characteristics by type:

  1️⃣ Physical: Observable properties like temperature

  2️⃣ Chemical: Composition of substances like pH

  3️⃣ Biological: Presence of microorganisms
• A 'chemical' characteristic of water quality is the composition of dissolved substances
• What does the 'color' indicator measure in water quality?

  Appearance or tint
• High or low pH levels can harm aquatic life
• Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water can lead to oxygen depletion.


  True
• Algal blooms in water are often caused by excessive nutrients
• Macroinvertebrates can indicate the health and diversity of an aquatic ecosystem.


  True
• 'Non-point sources' of pollution are diffuse and lack a single point of origin
• Match the non-point source with its pollutant:

  Agricultural runoff ↔️ Fertilizers and pesticides

  Urban stormwater ↔️ Oil, grease, and litter

  Atmospheric deposition ↔️ Pollutants from the air
• Point sources are discrete, identifiable sources that discharge pollutants directly into a water body
• Agricultural runoff can contaminate water with fertilizers and pesticides
• Addressing both point and non-point sources is crucial for maintaining water quality.

  True
• What do physical indicators of water quality measure?

  Observable properties
• High turbidity in water can reduce light penetration and affect photosynthesis.


  True
• Why is dissolved oxygen essential in water?

  For aquatic organisms to breathe
• What do biological indicators of water quality reveal?

  Overall health of ecosystem
• Match the biological indicator with its significance:

  coli ↔️ Fecal contamination

  Algal blooms ↔️ Excessive nutrient levels

  Macroinvertebrates ↔️ Diversity of aquatic organisms
• What information may biological indicators reveal about water quality that physical and chemical tests may not capture?

  Overall health and diversity
• Match the biological indicator with what it measures:

  coli ↔️ Fecal contamination

  Algal blooms ↔️ Excessive growth of algae

  Macroinvertebrates ↔️ Diversity and abundance
• What are the two main sources of water pollution?

  Point and non-point
• Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides is an example of a non-point source of water pollution.


  True
• Identifying and addressing both point and non-point sources of pollution is crucial for improving water quality
• Toxic chemicals in water pollution can cause neurological damage in humans.


  True
• What are three strategies for monitoring water quality?

  Physical, chemical, biological
• What is an example of a regulatory approach for managing water quality?

  Clean Water Act
• Disinfection using UV light is a method for killing pathogens in water.


  True
• Establishing laws, standards, and permits is a key component of regulatory approaches to water quality management.
• Wastewater treatment involves removing contaminants from sewage and industrial effluents before discharge.
• Disinfection of water uses chemicals or UV light to kill pathogens.
• Wetlands are examples of natural ecosystems that can filter and purify water.
• Green infrastructure includes permeable surfaces and rain gardens for stormwater management.

  True
• Turbidity is a physical indicator of water quality.

  True
• Biological indicators of water quality include the presence of living organisms.


  True
• High turbidity reduces light penetration and affects photosynthesis.

  True
• Low pH levels can harm aquatic life.


  True
• Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus levels can lead to algal blooms.


  True