Question 1

Global reduction of grain-fed beef consumption would help to reduce water shortages.​

Accepted Answer

Beef production is water-intensive and reducing grain-fed beef consumption globally would lead to a decrease in water usage, thereby helping to alleviate current and future water shortages.

Question 2

We are using freshwater unsustainably through waste and pollution,and do not charge enough for its use.​

Accepted Answer

Freshwater is being used unsustainably through various human activities like agriculture, industries, and domestic use leading to depletion of water resources. Pollution from various sources like industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal also affects the quality of freshwater resources. Moreover, the charges for freshwater use are often not reflective of its actual value, leading to inefficient use and wastage. Hence, the statement is true.

Question 3

Withdrawing freshwater from deep aquifers amounts to mining a nonrenewable resource.​

Accepted Answer

Deep aquifers contain groundwater that has been stored underground for thousands of years or more. Once this water is withdrawn, it cannot be replenished at a rate that matches human consumption. Therefore, withdrawing freshwater from deep aquifers is considered a form of mining a nonrenewable resource.

Question 4

A large amount of the world's drinking water comes from desalination.​

Accepted Answer

Most of the world's drinking water comes from freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, not from desalination, which is a process used in areas with limited access to natural fresh water.

Question 5

The use of dams,reservoirs,and water transfer projects has increased threats from flooding in some cases.​

Accepted Answer

Dams and reservoirs can increase the risk of flooding downstream by releasing large amounts of water at once during heavy rains or by failing catastrophically. Water transfer projects may also have unintended consequences on the hydrology of the areas they affect, potentially exacerbating or causing flooding.

Question 6

A source of groundwater contamination in coastal areas is saltwater intrusion.​

Accepted Answer

Saltwater intrusion occurs when saltwater infiltrates freshwater aquifers, which can lead to contamination and a decrease in available freshwater resources. This is a common issue in coastal areas where saltwater and freshwater meet.

Question 7

Drinking is the biggest use of water worldwide.​

Accepted Answer

Agriculture is actually the biggest use of water worldwide, with drinking coming in second.

Question 8

Salt from the region of the Aral Sea is being blown onto the alpine glaciers of the Himalayas,and is causing them to melt at faster than normal rates.​

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the salt particles from the dried-up Aral Sea are being carried by winds to the Himalayas and are increasing the rate of glacial melting.

Question 9

Eutrophication is a condition of natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake,estuary,or slow-moving stream.​

Accepted Answer

Eutrophication is caused by the accumulation of nutrients, typically nitrogen and phosphorus, from human activities such as fertilizer runoff or sewage discharge. These excess nutrients can cause explosive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, leading to oxygen depletion and ecosystem degradation in affected bodies of water.

Question 10

Agricultural activities are the leading cause of water pollution with organic chemicals and oxygen demanding wastes as the major pollutants.​

Accepted Answer

Agricultural activities, such as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste, can lead to water pollution by releasing nutrients, organic chemicals, and oxygen demanding wastes into water bodies. This can cause eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and depletion of oxygen levels, which can harm aquatic life and limit the usability of water resources for human activities.

Question 11

Protecting wetlands will actually promote flooding.​

Accepted Answer

Protecting wetlands helps to absorb excess water and reduce the chances of flooding. Wetlands act like a sponge, soaking up water during heavy rainfall and releasing it slowly over time. Without wetlands, more water would flow downstream faster, increasing the risk of flooding in urban and rural areas.

Question 12

Drip irrigation systems have an efficiency of 90 to 95%.​

Accepted Answer

Drip irrigation systems have a high efficiency rate of 90 to 95% which means that 90 to 95% of the water that is put into the system is effectively used by plants.

Question 13

Federal subsidies are provided to U.S.farmers who reduce water use in irrigation.​

Accepted Answer

The answer of Federal subsidies are provided to U.S.farmers who...

Question 14

Most aquifers are rapidly recharged through precipitation that percolates downward through soil and rock.​

Accepted Answer

Most aquifers are recharged slowly, as the process of precipitation percolating through soil and rock can take a long time, especially for deeper aquifers.

Question 15

The shrinkage of the Aral Sea has altered the local climate of the surrounding area.​

Accepted Answer

The shrinkage of the Aral Sea has resulted in increased temperatures, increased sandstorms, and altered precipitation patterns in the surrounding area, all of which can be considered changes in the local climate.

Question 16

The creation of dams and reservoirs has decreased the annual reliable runoff available for human use.​

Accepted Answer

The creation of dams and reservoirs actually increases the annual reliable runoff available for human use by storing water during periods of surplus (e.g., rainy seasons) and making it available during periods of deficit (e.g., dry seasons), thus regulating the flow and availability of water.

Question 17

An oligotrophic lake tends to have relatively low levels of nutrients.​

Accepted Answer

An oligotrophic lake is characterized by low levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and high levels of dissolved oxygen. These conditions typically support a low density of aquatic organisms, such as algae and fish.

Question 18

Heat is a major water pollutant that makes some species vulnerable to disease.​

Accepted Answer

Heat can increase the vulnerability of some aquatic species to diseases, making it a major water pollutant. When water temperatures rise, fish and other aquatic species may become stressed, which weakens their immune system and makes them more susceptible to infections and diseases. High temperatures can also alter the water chemistry and reduce the level of dissolved oxygen, further compounding the negative impacts on aquatic life.

Question 19

Cruise ships are a significant source of pollution that dump toxic chemicals,garbage,sewage,and waste oil into the oceans.​

Accepted Answer

Cruise ships have been found to contribute significantly to ocean pollution by illegally dumping waste, sewage, garbage, and oil into the seas. They also emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants into the air. These practices have negative impacts on marine life and ecosystems, as well as human health.

Question 20

The porous layers of sand,gravel,or rock in most aquifers are like large,elongated sponges through which groundwater seeps,which typically moves only a meter or so (about 3 feet)per year and rarely more than 0.3 meter (1 foot)per day.​

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly describes the movement of groundwater through the porous layers of sand, gravel, or rock in most aquifers.

Quiz 11: Water Resources and Water Pollution

Global reduction of grain-fed beef consumption would help to reduce water shortages.​

We are using freshwater unsustainably through waste and pollution,and do not charge enough for its use.​

Withdrawing freshwater from deep aquifers amounts to mining a nonrenewable resource.​

A large amount of the world's drinking water comes from desalination.​

The use of dams,reservoirs,and water transfer projects has increased threats from flooding in some cases.​

A source of groundwater contamination in coastal areas is saltwater intrusion.​

Drinking is the biggest use of water worldwide.​

Salt from the region of the Aral Sea is being blown onto the alpine glaciers of the Himalayas,and is causing them to melt at faster than normal rates.​

Eutrophication is a condition of natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake,estuary,or slow-moving stream.​

Agricultural activities are the leading cause of water pollution with organic chemicals and oxygen demanding wastes as the major pollutants.​

Protecting wetlands will actually promote flooding.​

Drip irrigation systems have an efficiency of 90 to 95%.​

Federal subsidies are provided to U.S.farmers who reduce water use in irrigation.​

Most aquifers are rapidly recharged through precipitation that percolates downward through soil and rock.​

The shrinkage of the Aral Sea has altered the local climate of the surrounding area.​

The creation of dams and reservoirs has decreased the annual reliable runoff available for human use.​

An oligotrophic lake tends to have relatively low levels of nutrients.​

Heat is a major water pollutant that makes some species vulnerable to disease.​

Cruise ships are a significant source of pollution that dump toxic chemicals,garbage,sewage,and waste oil into the oceans.​

The porous layers of sand,gravel,or rock in most aquifers are like large,elongated sponges through which groundwater seeps,which typically moves only a meter or so (about 3 feet)per year and rarely more than 0.3 meter (1 foot)per day.​

Global reduction of grain-fed beef consumption would help to reduce water shortages.

We are using freshwater unsustainably through waste and pollution,and do not charge enough for its use.

Withdrawing freshwater from deep aquifers amounts to mining a nonrenewable resource.

A large amount of the world's drinking water comes from desalination.

The use of dams,reservoirs,and water transfer projects has increased threats from flooding in some cases.

A source of groundwater contamination in coastal areas is saltwater intrusion.

Drinking is the biggest use of water worldwide.

Salt from the region of the Aral Sea is being blown onto the alpine glaciers of the Himalayas,and is causing them to melt at faster than normal rates.

Eutrophication is a condition of natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake,estuary,or slow-moving stream.

Agricultural activities are the leading cause of water pollution with organic chemicals and oxygen demanding wastes as the major pollutants.

Protecting wetlands will actually promote flooding.

Drip irrigation systems have an efficiency of 90 to 95%.

Federal subsidies are provided to U.S.farmers who reduce water use in irrigation.

Most aquifers are rapidly recharged through precipitation that percolates downward through soil and rock.

The shrinkage of the Aral Sea has altered the local climate of the surrounding area.

The creation of dams and reservoirs has decreased the annual reliable runoff available for human use.

An oligotrophic lake tends to have relatively low levels of nutrients.

Heat is a major water pollutant that makes some species vulnerable to disease.

Cruise ships are a significant source of pollution that dump toxic chemicals,garbage,sewage,and waste oil into the oceans.

The porous layers of sand,gravel,or rock in most aquifers are like large,elongated sponges through which groundwater seeps,which typically moves only a meter or so (about 3 feet)per year and rarely more than 0.3 meter (1 foot)per day.