Water Pollution Worksheet
Name_______________________________
WATER POLLUTION
1. Which of the following are sometimes considered pollutants if
found in water? (Place an "x in front of those that are).
____ ammonia
____ chlorides
____ iron
____ sulfides
____ nitrates
____ copper
____ carbon dioxide
____ phosphates
____ chromium
____ silica
____ lead
____ cyanide
2. Name one possible source of excess nitrogen in a body of
surface water.
___________________________________________________
_____________
3. What could be a possible source of sulfates found in a supply of
drinking water?
___________________________________________________
_____________
4. What is one possible result of a low amount of dissolved oxygen
in body of surface water?
___________________________________________________
_____________
5. In a body of surface water polluted with chromium, where would
the chromium be located? Why would it be located there?
___________________________________________________
_____________
___________________________________________________
_____________
6. Classify each of the following as a "point source" or "non-point
source" of pollution by placing a "p" or "np" in the blank
provided.
____ outflow pipe from a factory emptying wastes into a stream
____ snow melt carrying dissolved solids into a river
____ excess pesticide carried by rainfall into an irrigation ditch
____ hot water from a nuclear cooling system being dumped into a river
7. Classify each of the following pollutants as organic, inorganic,
toxic, or thermal by placing an "o", "i", "t", or "th" on the blank
provided.
____ sodium chloride from urban streets where it was used to melt ice
____ hot water from a nuclear cooling system
____ suspended clay from agricultural run-off
____ nitrogen resulting from breakdown of manure dumped in a pond
____ lead from mining operations dumped in water
____ insecticide from agricultural run-off
8. Define water pollution.
___________________________________________________
___________________
___________________________________________________
___________________
Appendix G
Water Pollution Worksheet Answers
Name______Name_______________________
WATER POLLUTION
1. Which of the following are sometimes considered pollutants if
found in water? (Place an "x in front of those that are).
_x___ ammonia
_x___ chlorides
_x___ iron
_x___ sulfides
_x___ nitrates
_x___ copper
_x___ phosphates
_x___ chromium
_x___ lead
_x___ cyanide
_x___
carbon
dioxide
_x___ silica
2. Name one possible source of excess nitrogen in a body of
surface water.
ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, fertilizer, sewage, manure, other
organics_______
3. What could be a possible source of sulfates found in a supply of
drinking water?
mining, industrial runoff___________________________________________
4. What is one possible result of a low amount of dissolved oxygen
in body of surface water?
fish kill, growth of anaerobic
bacteria_________________________________
5. In a body of surface water polluted with chromium, where would
the chromium be located? Why would it be located there?
It would be located on /under the bottom; because it is a heavy
metal which
would sink to the bottom and become covered with
sediment._____________
6. Classify each of the following as a "point source" or "non-point
source" of pollution by placing a "p" or "np" in the blank
provided.
__p__
outflow pipe from a factory emptying wastes into a stream
__np__ snow melt carrying dissolved solids into a river
__np__ excess pesticide carried by rainfall into an irrigation ditch
__p__
hot water from a nuclear cooling system being dumped into a river
7. Classify each of the following pollutants as organic, inorganic,
toxic, or thermal by placing an "o", "i", "t", or "th" on the blank
provided.
__i__
sodium chloride from urban streets where it was used to melt ice
__th__ hot water from a nuclear cooling system
__i__
suspended clay from agricultural run-off
__o__ nitrogen resulting from breakdown of manure dumped in a pond
__t__
lead from mining operations dumped in water
__t__
insecticide from agricultural run-off
8. Define water pollution.
Water pollution is the decreased usefulness of water due to the
increase of substances in
the
water_______________________________________________
____________________
NON-POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION & SOME RESULTS5
Pollutant
Ammonia
nitrogen
Sources
Decaying organic
material
Some Possible Results
Reduces amount of dissolved
oxygen endangering fish.
Produces nitrogen which may
stimulate growth of algae or
undesirable plants which can
overload the ecological
system.
Nitrates
Agricultural
Large amount in drinking
fertilizers, sewage,
water can cause
industrial wastes,
methemoglobinemia (blue
drainage from
babies). Stimulate growth of
feedlots,farm
algae which can reduce
manures & legumes dissolved oxygen when they
die & decompose.
Phosphates
Excessive drainage
Eutrophication. Algal blooms
from agricultural
which result in oxygen
areas
depletion and fish kills. Rapid
decomposition of algae can
produce odors associated with
hydrogen sulfide gas.
Sediment
Agriculture, forestry, Decreases water clarity &
urban run-off,
light transmission which can
construction, mining interfere with fish
populations. Acts as
substrate foe organic
pollutants. Decreases
recreational and commercial
values of streams. Decreases
quality of drinking water.
Salts (Salinity -- Agriculture, mining, Decreases species diversity by
including halides urban run-off
favoring salt tolerant species.
and bicarbonate
Reduces crop yield. Impacts
being converted
stream habitats and plants
to carbonate)
that are food sources for
other species. Decreases
quality of drinking water.
Pesticide,
Agriculture, forestry Kill aquatic organisms.
herbicides
Adversely affect reproduction,
growth, respiration, and
development in other aquatic
species. Reduce food supply
and destroy habitat of aquatic
species. Bioaccumulate in
tissues of plants,
macroinvertebrates and fish.
Some are carcinogenic and/or
mutagenic. Decrease
photosynthesis
inaquatic plants. Reduce
recreational and commercial
activities.
Polycyclic
urban runoff
Bioaccumulate, biomagnify,
aromatic
and are toxic to aquatic life.
hydrocarbons
Can produce carcinogenic
(PAHs)
metabolites when digested.
Polychlorinated
urban runoff, landfills Toxic to aquatic organisms;
biphenyls (PCBs)
can bioaccumulate,
biomagnify and be stored in
fat deposits. Adsorb to
sediments. Persist in
environment longer than most
chlorinated compounds.
Petroleum
urban runoff
Water soluble components
hydrocarbons
can be toxic to life. Portions
may adsorb to particulate
organic matter, be deposited
in sediment and may
adversely affect biological
functions.
Silica
decomposition of
Forms hard, dense scale
alumina silicate
(which is resistant to heat
minerals in the
transfer) in boilers. Causes
drainage basin
loss of turbine efficiency due
through which the
to deposit of insoluble silica
water flows
deposits on turbine blades.
Sulfates
mining, industrial
Lower pH in streams which
run-off
stresses aquatic animals and
leaches toxic metals out of
sediment and rocks. High
acidity and concentrations of
Sulfides
sewage, industrial
run-off, paper
manufacturing
Radionuclides
mining / ore
processing,
nuclearpowerplant
wastes, commercial
& industry
heavy metals can be lethal to
aquatic organisms and
eliminate entire aquatic
communities.
In the form of hydrogen
sulfide, cause noticeable
odor. Hydrogen sulfide is
toxic; acts as a respiratory
depressant in humans and
fish.
Some are toxic, carcinogenic,
or mutagenic. Some
degenerate into other
substances (e.g., radium and
lead) which are toxic and
carcinogenic to aquatic
organisms. When ingested,
they can bioconcentrate in
tissues, bones and organs
where they emit radiation for
a long time.
Appendix I
Table of Common Indicators
Drinking Water Standards
(Established by the U.S. Public Health Service unless otherwise
noted)
www.che.wsu.edu/.../dishon/sipaper_wsu.htm
NON-POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION & SOME RESULTS5
Pollutant
Sources
Ammonia
nitrogen
Decaying organic
material
Nitrates
Agricultural
fertilizers, sewage,
industrial wastes,
drainage from
feedlots,farm
manures & legumes
Phosphates
Excessive drainage
from agricultural
Some Possible Results
Reduces amount of dissolved
oxygen endangering fish.
Produces nitrogen which may
stimulate growth of algae or
undesirable plants which can
overload the ecological
system.
Large amount in drinking
water can cause
methemoglobinemia (blue
babies). Stimulate growth of
algae which can reduce
dissolved oxygen when they
die & decompose.
Eutrophication. Algal blooms
which result in oxygen
areas
depletion and fish kills. Rapid
decomposition of algae can
produce odors associated with
hydrogen sulfide gas.
Sediment
Agriculture, forestry, Decreases water clarity &
urban run-off,
light transmission which can
construction, mining interfere with fish
populations. Acts as
substrate foe organic
pollutants. Decreases
recreational and commercial
values of streams. Decreases
quality of drinking water.
Salts (Salinity -- Agriculture, mining, Decreases species diversity by
including halides urban run-off
favoring salt tolerant species.
and bicarbonate
Reduces crop yield. Impacts
being converted
stream habitats and plants
to carbonate)
that are food sources for
other species. Decreases
quality of drinking water.
Pesticide,
Agriculture, forestry Kill aquatic organisms.
herbicides
Adversely affect reproduction,
growth, respiration, and
development in other aquatic
species. Reduce food supply
and destroy habitat of aquatic
species. Bioaccumulate in
tissues of plants,
macroinvertebrates and fish.
Some are carcinogenic and/or
mutagenic. Decrease
photosynthesis
inaquatic plants. Reduce
recreational and commercial
activities.
Polycyclic
urban runoff
Bioaccumulate, biomagnify,
aromatic
and are toxic to aquatic life.
hydrocarbons
Can produce carcinogenic
(PAHs)
metabolites when digested.
Polychlorinated
urban runoff, landfills Toxic to aquatic organisms;
biphenyls (PCBs)
can bioaccumulate,
biomagnify and be stored in
fat deposits. Adsorb to
Petroleum
hydrocarbons
urban runoff
Silica
decomposition of
alumina silicate
minerals in the
drainage basin
through which the
water flows
mining, industrial
run-off
Sulfates
Sulfides
sewage, industrial
run-off, paper
manufacturing
Radionuclides
mining / ore
processing,
nuclearpowerplant
wastes, commercial
& industry
sediments. Persist in
environment longer than most
chlorinated compounds.
Water soluble components
can be toxic to life. Portions
may adsorb to particulate
organic matter, be deposited
in sediment and may
adversely affect biological
functions.
Forms hard, dense scale
(which is resistant to heat
transfer) in boilers. Causes
loss of turbine efficiency due
to deposit of insoluble silica
deposits on turbine blades.
Lower pH in streams which
stresses aquatic animals and
leaches toxic metals out of
sediment and rocks. High
acidity and concentrations of
heavy metals can be lethal to
aquatic organisms and
eliminate entire aquatic
communities.
In the form of hydrogen
sulfide, cause noticeable
odor. Hydrogen sulfide is
toxic; acts as a respiratory
depressant in humans and
fish.
Some are toxic, carcinogenic,
or mutagenic. Some
degenerate into other
substances (e.g., radium and
lead) which are toxic and
carcinogenic to aquatic
organisms. When ingested,
they can bioconcentrate in
tissues, bones and organs
where they emit radiation for
a long time.