NATURAL SCIENCE EXAM 2
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Definition of Coliform - ANSWER-of, relating to, or being gram- negative rod-shaped
bacteria (such as E. coli) normally present in the intestine-monitored coliform levels in
drinking water
oxygen demanding wastes - ANSWER-organic materials that encourage the growth and
reproduction of decomposers (esp. aquatic microorganisms) which rob water of its
oxygen
ex: sewage, paper pulp, food-processing wastes
• As oxygen content decreases, fewer forms of life will survive• Game fish require 6 ppm
of oxygen or above.• At 2 ppm, you'd see mainly worms, bacteria, fungi, etc.
Water-soluble inorganic materials: - ANSWER-in many areas, toxic inorganic chemicals
introduced to water by human activities have become the most serious form of water
pollution
• Among the chemicals of greatest concern are heavy metals, supertoxic elements like
arsenic, and acids
MINIMATA DISEASE IN JAPAN
Mercury - ANSWER-Human activity is the main cause of mercury releases
• coal-fired power stations, residential coal burning for heating and cooking, industrial
processes, waste incinerators and as a result of mining for mercury, gold and other
metals.
• Inorganic mercury→methylmercury• Effects: excitability, delirium, hallucinations
Arsenic - ANSWER-Widespread in earth's crust; groundwater contaminant
Copper smelters, tanneries, irrigation of food crops, wood preservative, pesticides
Carcinogen, neurotoxic effects, digestive issues
Lead - ANSWER-Drinking water can be contaminated by lead- containing pipe or home
plumbing/fixtures.
Contamination of source water can occur due to discharge from industries that burn
fossil fuels, mine, or smelt; demolition
CNS effects: memory, attention
Peripheral effects: "wrist drop," tingling in
hands and feet
Other effects: Renal toxicity, high blood pressure, miscarriage/stillbirth, abdominal pain,
headaches, irritability
, Cadmium - ANSWER-• corrosion of some galvanized plumbing and water main pipe
materials, it may also enter water through industrial discharges(smelting), waste
disposal (mining of lead, zinc, gold, silver...),metal plating, certain fertilizers
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and
lung cancer
Chromium - ANSWER-Chrome plating, leather tanning, the manufacturing of dyes and
pigments, wood preservation
Organic chemicals: - ANSWER-compounds of carbonex: oil, gas, plastics, pesticides,
solvents, detergents
Estimated that 1 quart of oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water.
endocrine
disruptors - ANSWER-Suppressed immune and nervous system• Impact growth and
development
• Feminization of fish
• Extra hind limbs
• Chronic exposure found to have sub-lethal behavioral effects on benthic invertebrates
Etc footprint - ANSWER-Products that Contributed the Most to EDC Footprints
Sunscreen
Laundry Detergent
Glass Cleaner 1
Carpet Cleaner 1
Bar Soap
Air Freshene
Sediments - ANSWER-solids suspended in water
• Makes up the largest volume of water pollution in the U.S. and other parts of the world
• Erosion rates have been greatly accelerated by human activities
• While sediments can nourish floodplain farm fields, it can also cloud water, reduce
photosynthesis, disrupt food webs, carry toxic substances, destroy spawning sites, and
clog bays and harbors
nutrient pollution - ANSWER-nutrients added to water can greatly increase biological
productivity
• Farm ponds "blooming" with algae and aquatic plants• Outbreaks of toxic organisms
that form "harmful algal blooms"
or red tides
• Can cause fish kills or affect human health (when infected shellfish are consumed, for
example)
heat - ANSWER-raising or lowering water temperature from normal levels can adversely
affect water quality and aquatic life
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Definition of Coliform - ANSWER-of, relating to, or being gram- negative rod-shaped
bacteria (such as E. coli) normally present in the intestine-monitored coliform levels in
drinking water
oxygen demanding wastes - ANSWER-organic materials that encourage the growth and
reproduction of decomposers (esp. aquatic microorganisms) which rob water of its
oxygen
ex: sewage, paper pulp, food-processing wastes
• As oxygen content decreases, fewer forms of life will survive• Game fish require 6 ppm
of oxygen or above.• At 2 ppm, you'd see mainly worms, bacteria, fungi, etc.
Water-soluble inorganic materials: - ANSWER-in many areas, toxic inorganic chemicals
introduced to water by human activities have become the most serious form of water
pollution
• Among the chemicals of greatest concern are heavy metals, supertoxic elements like
arsenic, and acids
MINIMATA DISEASE IN JAPAN
Mercury - ANSWER-Human activity is the main cause of mercury releases
• coal-fired power stations, residential coal burning for heating and cooking, industrial
processes, waste incinerators and as a result of mining for mercury, gold and other
metals.
• Inorganic mercury→methylmercury• Effects: excitability, delirium, hallucinations
Arsenic - ANSWER-Widespread in earth's crust; groundwater contaminant
Copper smelters, tanneries, irrigation of food crops, wood preservative, pesticides
Carcinogen, neurotoxic effects, digestive issues
Lead - ANSWER-Drinking water can be contaminated by lead- containing pipe or home
plumbing/fixtures.
Contamination of source water can occur due to discharge from industries that burn
fossil fuels, mine, or smelt; demolition
CNS effects: memory, attention
Peripheral effects: "wrist drop," tingling in
hands and feet
Other effects: Renal toxicity, high blood pressure, miscarriage/stillbirth, abdominal pain,
headaches, irritability
, Cadmium - ANSWER-• corrosion of some galvanized plumbing and water main pipe
materials, it may also enter water through industrial discharges(smelting), waste
disposal (mining of lead, zinc, gold, silver...),metal plating, certain fertilizers
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and
lung cancer
Chromium - ANSWER-Chrome plating, leather tanning, the manufacturing of dyes and
pigments, wood preservation
Organic chemicals: - ANSWER-compounds of carbonex: oil, gas, plastics, pesticides,
solvents, detergents
Estimated that 1 quart of oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water.
endocrine
disruptors - ANSWER-Suppressed immune and nervous system• Impact growth and
development
• Feminization of fish
• Extra hind limbs
• Chronic exposure found to have sub-lethal behavioral effects on benthic invertebrates
Etc footprint - ANSWER-Products that Contributed the Most to EDC Footprints
Sunscreen
Laundry Detergent
Glass Cleaner 1
Carpet Cleaner 1
Bar Soap
Air Freshene
Sediments - ANSWER-solids suspended in water
• Makes up the largest volume of water pollution in the U.S. and other parts of the world
• Erosion rates have been greatly accelerated by human activities
• While sediments can nourish floodplain farm fields, it can also cloud water, reduce
photosynthesis, disrupt food webs, carry toxic substances, destroy spawning sites, and
clog bays and harbors
nutrient pollution - ANSWER-nutrients added to water can greatly increase biological
productivity
• Farm ponds "blooming" with algae and aquatic plants• Outbreaks of toxic organisms
that form "harmful algal blooms"
or red tides
• Can cause fish kills or affect human health (when infected shellfish are consumed, for
example)
heat - ANSWER-raising or lowering water temperature from normal levels can adversely
affect water quality and aquatic life
