Harmful Algae and Water Quality

What is the main problem discussed in the text regarding Lake Erie?

• Overfishing

• Algae blooms

• Drought

• Pollution from factories

What can happen to fish when there is too much harmful algae?

• They grow larger

• They become sick or die

• They change color

• They become more active

What did people in Toledo have to do because of harmful algae in 2014?

• Stop fishing

• Stop using water from their sinks and showers

• Move to another city

• Use more fertilizer

What can algae blooms do to other living things in the water?

• Help them grow

• Provide them with food

• Crowd them out

• Make them colorful

What is the text suggesting we need to do about algae blooms?

• Ignore them

• Protect Earth's environments

• Encourage more algae growth

• Use more chemicals in water

What is runoff?

• Water that evaporates

• Water that soaks into the ground

• Water that washes into streams and rivers

• Water that stays in one place

How can nutrients from fertilizer reach a lake?

• Through evaporation

• Through runoff

• Through direct sunlight

• Through wind

What is a surprising source of nutrients for algae?

• Rocks

• Waste from humans and pets

• Sand

• Air

What can happen if a town has problems with harmful algae blooms?

• Increase in fish population

• Decrease in water quality

• More sunlight

• Less plant growth

What is algal bloom?

• Precipitation that is unusually acidic and can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure

• A rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in a water system

• An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock from which groundwater can be extracted

• Contamination of water by harmful bacteria