the agricultural use of fertilizer and animal waste.- Different ways of saving water can also have an impact on our clean water supply.
Review Questions
- When is water considered polluted?
- Name some sources of nonpoint source pollution.
- Lakes often become polluted as a result of point source pollution release of phosphorus
from sewage plants. By what process would the release of phosphorus affect a lake’s
vegetation growth and how would this in turn affect reductions in water quality and
fish and shellfish populations? - Name some sources of pollutants that can cause waterborne diseases.
- Why are nonpoint sources of pollution so difficult to regulate?
- Why might floating plastic debris be a problem for marine life?
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
- Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, Random House, New York, 1998.
- http://www.epa.gov/region5/students/water.htm
- http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/water.htm
- http://www.epa.gov/region5/students/waste.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org
Vocabulary
algal bloom Excessive growth of aquatic vegetation or phytoplankton as a result of eu-
trophication.
aquifers Geological formations that contain or conduct groundwater.
catchment management Method used to recharge groundwater supplies, help in the for-
mation of groundwater wells, and reduce soil erosion.
desalination An artificial process by which saline water is converted to fresh water.
eutrophication An increase in nutrients, specifically compounds containing nitrogen or
phosphorus, in an ecosystem.
frozen water Found in icebergs and glaciers.