Impact On Water

Question 1

What is an aquifer?

Answer 1

An area of permeable sediment or rock that holds significant amounts of water.

Question 2

What is sediment?

Answer 2

Solid material that is moved by water and deposited in a new area.

Question 3

What percentage of human water usage is for thermoelectric power?

Answer 3

49%

Question 4

What percentage of human water usage is for irrigation of crops?

Answer 4

31%

Question 5

What percentage of human water usage is for public supply?

Answer 5

12%

Question 6

What percentage of human water usage is for industry?

Answer 6

4%

Question 7

What percentage of human water usage is for livestock, mining, and aquaculture?

Answer 7

Less than 4%

Question 8

What is agriculture runoff?

Answer 8

Runoff that contains fertilizers which upsets the balance of nutrients in bodies of water.

Question 9

What is industrial waste?

Answer 9

Waste that contains toxic chemicals which harms aquatic organisms.

Question 10

What is urban runoff?

Answer 10

Runoff that contains pesticides, fertilizers, oil & gasoline, and bacteria & viruses, all of which can reduce the quality of surface water and groundwater.

Question 11

What is runoff from mines?

Answer 11

Runoff that contains metals which can contaminate surface and groundwater.

Question 12

What are oil spills?

Answer 12

Spills that expose aquatic life to toxic chemicals and can also reduce the amount of oxygen in the water.

Question 13

What is construction runoff?

Answer 13

Runoff that contains excess sediment, reducing the amount of light in the water and affecting photosynthesis.