Water Unit Review

Front

What is the role of trees and plants near stream banks?

Back

Trees and plants provide shade and their roots help stabilize shorelines, preventing erosion.

Front

What is Non-point Source Pollution?

Back

Pollutants entering waterways from a broad area, such as runoff from farmland or acid rainfall.

Front

Define porosity in the context of water storage.

Back

Porosity is the total percentage of the volume of rock or sediment that consists of open spaces that can potentially store water.

Front

What causes an algae bloom in a water system?

Back

An algae bloom is most likely caused by large amounts of nitrates in runoff.

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is the land that water flows across, under, and through on its way to a larger body of water.

Front

What is the significance of roots in preventing erosion?

Back

Roots help stabilize shorelines, preventing soil and sediment from being washed away.

Front

What is the difference between point source and non-point source pollution?

Back

Point source pollution comes from a single, identifiable source, while non-point source pollution comes from multiple, diffuse sources.

Front

What are nitrates and why are they important in water systems?

Back

Nitrates are compounds that can lead to nutrient pollution, causing algae blooms when present in large amounts.

Front

Explain the term 'thermal pollution'.

Back

Thermal pollution refers to the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature.

Front

What is turbidity and how does it affect water quality?

Back

Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles, which can harm aquatic life.