Stream Cleaner Environmental Forum Worksheets

#3.  Water Quality Science

1.  Scientists who are dedicated to studying the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay focus exclusively on the water in the Bay itself.        Circle the correct answer:   True    False

Questions 2-8 are based on Native Guide Neil Gillies essay on the challenges of studying non-point source pollution.  Are the following statements true or false? Check one. 

Answer Questions 9-15 by interpreting the graphs provided by Native Guide Neil Gillies.

9.  The first graph plots phosphorus concentrations against 30 days cumulative rainfall.  Phosphorus concentration is typically higher during wet periods. 

          Circle the correct answer:   True   False    No-pattern

10.    The second graph plots  nitrate-nitrogen concentrations against 30 days cumulative rainfall.  Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations are typically higher during wet periods.  

          Circle the correct answer:   True   False    No-pattern

11.    The third graph plots phosphorus concentration against stream flow.  Phosphorus concentrations are typically higher during high water periods.

          Circle the correct answer:   True   False    No-pattern

12.    The fourth graph plots phosphorus load against stream flow.  Phosphorus loads are typically higher during high water periods. Circle the correct answer:   True   False    No-pattern

13.    The fifth graph plots nitrate concentration against stream flow.  Nitrate concentrations are typically higher during high water periods.      Circle the correct answer:   True   False    No-pattern

14.  The sixth graph plots nitrate load against stream flow.  Nitrate loads are typically higher during high water periods.    Circle the correct answer:   True   False    No-pattern

15.  The last two graphs plot the Anatomy of a Storm.  Compare the “behavior” of nitrate and phosphorus and pick the correct statement.   Circle the correct answer:

a.  Both nitrate and phosphorus loads rise and fall quickly.

b.  Both nitrate and phosphorus loads rise quickly and then stay high.

c.  Both nitrate and phosphorus loads rise quickly, then nitrate stays high longer than phosphorus.

d.  Both nitrate and phosphorus loads rise quickly, then phosphorus stays high longer than nitrate.

16.  Which Federal agency is leading the effort to study water quality in the large rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay?  Circle the correct answer:

a.  NOAA                                                     d.  NASA

b.  USGS                                                     e.  USDA

c.  NIMBY                                                     f.   None, the states have their own agencies.

Questions 17-19 are not currently used.

20.  Nitrogen and phosphorus are of particular importance to the health of the Bay because they… (Circle the correct answer):

a.  Are unnatural and poison fish

b.  Cause excessive growth of algae

c.  Form an oily layer that blocks oxygen

d.  Can get into drinking water supplies

21.  Dissolved Oxygen is…   (Circle the correct answer):

a.  The amount of oxygen that is present in water.

b.  A scientific process to extract CO2 from the sea.

c.  A leading cause of global warming.

d.  An unlikely event that causes fish to rise to the water surface.

Questions 22-25 refer to the “dissolved oxygen from the Chesapeake Bay Program” link.

22.  Dissolved Oxygen is important because aquatic animals need oxygen to live.

  Circle the correct answer:   True    False

23.  What is the minimum amount of dissolved oxygen a blue crab needs to live? 

Circle correct answer:   

a.  1 mg/l

b.  3 mg/l

c.  10 mg/l

d.  There is no “minimum”

24.  What is the minimum amount of dissolved oxygen a striped bass needs to live?    

Circle correct answer: 

a.  1 mg/l

b.  3 mg/l

c.  6 mg/l

d.  There is no “minimum”

25.  Which Bay animals can live in the anoxic (no-oxygen) conditions.   Circle correct answer:   

a.  Worms

b.  Clams

c.  None.