Water Quality Flashcards
(13 cards)
Large floating masses of algae are a problem in many bodies of water. To control the algae, an effort must be made to control the limiting nutrient in algae growth. What is the limiting nutrient in the vast majority of lakes?
Phosphorous
Excessive phosphate in a lake contributes to aquatic plant growth and subsequent eutrophication.
Water quality measurements in a lake indicate that avaiable phosphorous is on the order 60 ug/L, and available nitrogen is about 2 mg/l. Assume other nutrients are available from background. Which of the following is limiting nutrient in the lake for algae growth?
Phoshorous
The ratio of available nitrogen to available phosphorous is (2 x 10^3 ug/L) / 60 ug/L = 33. Since the ratio is greater than 10, the lake is phosphorus limited.
What is the limiting nutrient in the vast majority of lakes?
Phosphorus
Excessive phosphate contributes to aquatic plant growth and eutrophication.
In anaerobic lake environments, what form of nitrogen is predominantly found?
NH3
NH3 (ammonia) is prevalent in anaerobic conditions, while NO3- (nitrate) is found in aerobic conditions.
How can you determine if dead fish in a lake died from cultural eutrophication or toxic chemicals?
- Perform a full toxicological analysis of the lake water to determine if any chemical poillutants are present in the lake
- Test the water for presence of dissolved organic matter that may be impacting the BOD of the lake
- Test the dissolved oxygen concentrations in the lake at different locations and at different depths.
- All of the above
All of the above
- Perform a full toxicological analysis of the lake water to determine if any chemical poillutants are present in the lake
- Test the water for presence of dissolved organic matter that may be impacting the BOD of the lake
- Test the dissolved oxygen concentrations in the lake at different locations and at different depths.
Testing for dissolved organic matter and dissolved oxygen concentrations are also valid methods.
What factors could affect the depth of the thermocline in a lake?
Water clarity, Seasonal variation, Nutrient levels
All these factors can influence thermocline depth.
Fill in blank:
Dissolved oxygen concentration in eutrophic lake ____ with depth in witner and summer.
Decreases
Eutrophic lakes often show decreased oxygen levels at greater depths during winter.
Fill in the blank: The predominant nitrogen species in anaerobic environments is ______.
NH3
Ammonia is the main nitrogen form found in low-oxygen conditions.
Both organic and inorganic chemicals exist in water. What is the main difference between organic and inorganic chemicals?
Organic chemicals always contain carbon
Organic chemicals are characterized by the presence of carbon in their molecular structure.
The presence of heavy metals in dewatered wastewater sludge would cause the followiing concern:
a. poor dewatering characteristics leading to wet sludge
b. chemical reactions between the heavy metals in the soil
c. binding excess water in the soil during winter months.
d. elimination of land application as a viable disposal alternative
Elimination of land application as a viable disposal alternative
Metals bioaccumulate through entering into the food chain. However, regulations restrict the application of metals to land to prevent contamination of the human food chain.
True or False: Organic chemicals are beneficial for your health.
False
The health effects of organic chemicals vary; some can be harmful.
Fill in the blank: _______ may cause cancer.
Inorganic chemicals
Inorganic chemicals have been associated with various health risks, including cancer.
What are the consequences of metals bioaccumulating in the food chain?
They enter into the food chain, posing health risks
Bioaccumulation can lead to increased concentrations of toxic metals in organisms, impacting human health.
