Water Use, Management, and Pollution Concept Questions

1. What are the three major categories of water use? From what point in the cycle is water generally withdrawn for use? How is it withdrawn and used?

2. How does deforestation impact the water cycle?

3. What is the effect of paving on the water cycle?

4. What are the results of overdrawing groundwater? Surface water? Describe the human, ecological, and environmental results of each.

5. Describe some problems associated with dam building and diversion projects.

6. Experts agree that we need more water. Two ways of getting more water are to increase water supply and to reduce our demand. Compare the potential of each one.

7. How can water demands be reduced in industry, agriculture, and households?

8. How does water use by sector differ between rich and poor countries?

9. What are some ways you can use less water in your personal life? What effect will those actions have long term?

10. How can we get the general public to recycle and conserve water?

11. Imagine that you suddenly move to a developing country. What would you miss most about the lack of water?

12. What are some ways we could encourage people to conserve water?

13. What are some possible sources of increased water?

14. Describe both phytoplankton and SAV. Where does each get nutrients and light?

15. Describe and contrast an oligotrophic and a eutrophic lake. Describe the major producers, nutrient content, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen content of each.

16. Why is the natural state of waterways to be oligotrophic?

17. Describe the causes and results of eutrophication.

18. Distinguish between natural and cultural eutrophication.

19. Describe the role played by wetlands in preventing eutrophication.

20. What is BOD? How is it a measure of water quality?

21. Describe the effect of sediments on waterways and eutrophication.

22. Describe some ways by which the results of eutrophication can be addressed. Indicate the costs and benefits of each.

23. Let’s say a small stream flows near the school grounds at KVHS. Before reaching the school grounds, it flows through a deciduous woods. The class decides to monitor and study the stream’s flow patterns and quality as it flows through the woods and the school grounds. What would you expect to find in the two areas?

24. Imagine you own a piece of land with a small, but polluted, lake on it. An engineer offers solutions for various levels of cleanup. As water quality increases, cost increases also. How clean would you want the water to be - fishable, swimmable, drinkable - and how much would you be willing to pay to achieve your goal? You can just make up some numbers to make your point as you think about your priorities and values.

25. Do you think water pollution is worse now than in the past? On what do you base your opinion? Do you have any personal experience that helps you decide?