Water Quality
This measurement determines how acidic or basic a body of water is and strongly affects an organism's survival.
What is pH?
This human activity often increases nutrients in water, leading to algal blooms.
What is fertilizer runoff / agriculture?
This process changes liquid water into water vapor.
What is evaporation?
This factor drives surface ocean currents along with wind.
What is the Coriolis effect?
This is the top layer of groundwater.
What is the water table?
A lake shows a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels over time. This change will MOST LIKELY result in what outcome?
What is decreased aquatic life/fish kills?
Urbanization increases impervious surfaces. How does this MOST affect water systems?
What is increased runoff and decreased infiltration?
Most of Earth’s freshwater is stored in this location.
What are glaciers/ice caps?
Upwelling brings what to the ocean surface?
What are nutrients?
An aquifer is BEST described as what?
What is a permeable rock layer that stores water?
Which factor would BEST indicate a freshwater system is healthy:
A. High turbidity
B. Stable temperature and neutral pH
C. High nitrogen levels
D. Low biodiversity
B
Which action would BEST reduce nonpoint source pollution?
A. Building more roads
B. Planting vegetation buffers
C. Increasing factory output
D. Removing wetlands
B
Which process directly contributes to groundwater recharge?
What is infiltration?
Why do coastal areas with upwelling have high biodiversity?
What is increased nutrients supporting food webs?
Which material allows water to pass through MOST easily?
What is sand/gravel (high permeability)?
After heavy rainfall, a river becomes cloudy. Which process MOST likely caused this change?
What is runoff increasing sediment (turbidity)?
A factory releases heated water into a river. What is the MOST immediate impact?
What is decreased dissolved oxygen due to thermal pollution?
A region experiences less precipitation over time. What is the MOST likely impact on groundwater?
What is decreased groundwater levels?
Which change would MOST likely disrupt deep ocean currents?
What is change in temperature or salinity?
Why is groundwater pollution often long-lasting?
A. Groundwater moves very quickly
B. Groundwater is cleaned naturally within minutes
C. Groundwater moves slowly, so pollutants remain for a long time
D. Pollutants evaporate quickly underground
C
A scientist records the following: high nitrates, algal blooms, low oxygen. What process is occurring?
What is eutrophication?
Wetlands are removed for development. What is the MOST likely long-term effect?
What is increased flooding and decreased water filtration?
Explain how deforestation affects the water cycle in a region.
What is decreased transpiration and increased runoff?
How might melting polar ice affect ocean circulation?
What is decreased salinity disrupting density-driven currents?
A community builds more pavement and parking lots. What is the most likely effect on groundwater?
A. Increased infiltration and recharge
B. Decreased runoff
C. Decreased groundwater recharge
D. Increased water table levels
C