Water & Environmental Justice
What does environmental justice focus on?
Who is most impacted and why
(Fairness - how different communities experience environmental benefits and burdens.)
What do we call the variety of living things in an ecosystem?
Biodiversity
What is the main purpose of a wastewater treatment plant?
To clean water before it returns to the environment.
What type of habitat is found in the Meadowlands?
Wetlands.
How many gallons of water can one oyster filter in a day?
Up to 50 gallons.
Name one reason some neighborhoods experience more flooding than others.
More concrete and fewer green spaces.
Name one animal commonly found in estuary ecosystems.
Crabs, Mussels, Oysters, Herrons, Eagles, Flounder, Striped Bass
What everyday item contributes to pollution when flushed incorrectly?
Wipes
What is a watershed?
An area where all water drains to the same place
What do we measure to check oyster survivorship?
Live vs. dead counts.
What is the name for water where freshwater and saltwater meet?
Brackish water
What is one sign of a healthy ecosystem at Duke Farms?
Presence of diverse species.
What is one step in the water treatment process?
Screening out large debris.
What is one sign of a healthy freshwater ecosystem?
Clear water with visible plant life.
What type of habitat do oysters help create?
Reef habitat.
Name two local waterways connected to Newark’s watershed.
Passaic River, Hackensack River; Newark Bay.
Name one species of animal, insect, or plant life present at Duke Farms
Milkweed, Monarch Butterflies, Bald Eagles; etc.
What is one cause of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
Older systems failing in low‑income neighborhoods.
What human activity most affects freshwater quality?
Stormwater runoff.
Why are oysters important for water quality?
They filter pollutants
What is one example of environmental injustice in Newark?
High truck traffic causing air pollution.
What is one way Duke Farms uses green infrastructure to support climate resilience?
Meadows that absorb stormwater
What is one chemical/product used during the wastewater treatment process?
Chlorine
Why are wetlands important for climate resilience?
They absorb floodwater
What is one threat to estuary ecosystems?
Industrial pollution.