Water Quality Study Guide with Complete Solutions

The Clean Water Act - ANSWER-regulates what can be dumped into the nation's rivers and streams. Safe Drinking Water Act - ANSWER--passed by US Congress gives EPA the authority to set limits for harmful contaminants EPA (acronym and 4 responsibilities) - ANSWER-Environmental protection Agency *sets standards for safe, clean drinking water which are guidelines for protection of natural water sources and the quality of water reaching our homes *sets standards for harmful organisms that cause disease *safe levels for copper and (cyanide, lead, mercury, nitrite) metals *checks for a variety of chemicals and harmful radioactive materials Turbidity affecting water quality - ANSWER--a measure of water clarity or how much clay, silt, and sand, algae, or plankton in the water decrease the passage of light through the water. -Turbidity is affected by runoff from construction, agricultural practices, mining or logging activity. Excessive levels of sediments and minerals inhibit the penetration of sunlight which reduces photosynthesis -algae blooms form scum on surface of water and sediments cloud the water decreasing O2 levels and causing water to absorb heat Temperature affecting water quality - ANSWER-seasons, sunlight, dumping warm water (thermal pollution) has an effect on surface waters warmer water=less O2 and acceleration of biological growth while reducing water's ability to retain dissolved oxygen cooler water=more O2 pH affecting water quality - ANSWER--pH is a measure of how acidic/basic or alkaline water is -The pH of water determines the solubility of nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon) and heavy metals (lead and copper) -acid rain and chemical can affect pH levels of water causing fish to die dissolved oxygen affecting water quality - ANSWER--The amount of dissolved oxygen decreases as water temperature increases. -This means that colder lakes and streams can hold more dissolved oxygen than warmer waters. If water is too warm, it will not hold enough oxygen for aquatic organisms to survive. -Fish and aquatic animals need the oxygen dissolved