Watershed Pollutants

How could point source pollution best be described?

• soap suds from washing a car that flow into a storm drain

• water moves across the watershed, picking up natural or human-made pollutants

• chemicals or other contaminants flow into the streams from an obvious and identifiable source

• bacteria enters the water from animal waste that is left behind when someone is walking a dog

What could be an easy way to prevent non-point source pollution?

• let someone else wash your car

• keep businesses and industries from disposing of hazardous chemicals

• farmers can make sure that waste treatment tanks do not spill or leak into the groundwater

• don't use too much fertilizer on your yard- when it rains, there won't be any excess to run off into a storm drain

The lake near a small city has become polluted. One group blames the local factory for the pollution. The factory claims that non-point source pollution from the growing city population is to blame.

Which of these tests would NOT help local citizens figure out if the pollution was from a point source or non-point source?

• compare samples from different places around the lake

• observe the areas where water leave the factory

• laboratory analysis to find out what pollutants are in the water

• examine the wildlife of the lake to see how it is affected by the pollution

A community is concerned that its river has become polluted. Analysis of water samples shows small amounts of over 20 different chemicals.

Which of the following is the most likely cause for the increase in pollution?

• the increase is due to agricultural point source pollution

• the increase is due to industrial point source pollution

• the increase is due to residential non-point source pollution

• it is impossible to determine

What is the cause of this?

• runoff

• groundwater

• pollution in watershed

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

What do you call land where water runoff and ground water drain into a large body of water?

• Runoff

• Watershed

• condensation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following is a common pollutant found in watersheds due to agricultural activities?

• Nitrates from fertilizers

• Oil from vehicles

• Plastic waste

• Heavy metals from industrial discharge

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

What is the primary effect of sediment pollution in watersheds?

• Increases water temperature

• Reduces water clarity

• Decreases water pH

• Increases oxygen levels

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which method is most effective in reducing urban runoff pollution in watersheds?

• Building more roads

• Installing green roofs

• Increasing industrial output

• Using more pesticides

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

How does deforestation contribute to watershed pollution?

• Increases carbon dioxide levels

• Reduces soil erosion

• Increases sediment in water bodies

• Decreases water temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4