Freshwater Pollution Guided Notes

Holt Environmental Science Section 5.2, pg. 131

1. What is water pollution? Introduction of chemical,
physical, or biological agents into water. This degrades
the quality of the water and can affect organisms that
depend on it.
2. What are the major causes of water pollution? Human
population explosion and industrialization.
3. What is point pollution? Provide one example. pollution
discharged from a single source. Ex: Factory
4. What is nonpoint pollution? Provide one example.
Pollution comes from many sources rather than one
specific site. Ex: Lawn homes and farms etc.
5. Why is nonpoint pollution a more serious problem? It's
harder to track
**Leave some room here for a sketch (wastewater
treatment)**
6. What is sludge and how do we deal with it? Solid
material remains after treatment. Disposing it as
hazardous waste.
7. What are pathogens? List some examples. Disease
causing organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasitic
worms.

8. How can biological magnification affect polluted aquatic

ecosystems? toxins and disease can spread faster
**Leave some room here for sketches (biomagnifications &
eutrophication)**
9. What is thermal pollution and why is it a problem?
10.
What is the Clean Water Act? When was it passed?
thermal pollution is excessive amounts of heat are
added to a body of water. It's a problem cause it creates
unnatural warm bodies of water.
11. Why will groundwater pollution be a long-lasting
problem? It's harder to get the pollution out of the
water.
12.
Where does most bottled water come from?
Tap water that has been treated.