505
In this module, we learned that there are several nonchemical forms of water pollution. Solid waste pollution comes from garbage, sludge, and the ash and slag produced by burning coal. Sediment pollution consists of soil particles that erode from the land and are carried downstream in streams and rivers where they can reduce light penetration, clog the gills of aquatic organisms, and add nutrients to aquatic ecosystems. Thermal pollution typically happens when industrial processes take in cool water from water bodies, use the water to cool their equipment, and then return much warmer water to the water body. Finally, noise pollution from ships, sonar, and air guns exploring for energy deposits has the potential to interfere with the communication of aquatic animals in the ocean, including whales. In the next module, we will examine how water pollution laws have been designed to control some of the major sources of pollution.
Module 44 AP® Review Questions
1. Solid waste
sinks to the ocean floor.
dumping in the ocean is prohibited worldwide.
can include coal-
is primarily problematic once washed up on beaches.
is rarely toxic to humans.
2. Sedimentation of water
decreases the solubility of oxygen.
increases the amount of photosynthesis.
clogs the gills of some aquatic animals.
results in decreased nutrient availability.
is primarily due to industrialization.
3. Thermal pollution
is primarily a problem in the winter.
is rarely lethal.
is primarily due to residential water use.
is not regulated in the United States.
has been reduced by the use of cooling towers.
4. The use of sonar
can reduce the productivity of some algae.
has little effect on aquatic ecosystems.
has decreased significantly.
has a positive effect on some fish species.
disrupts communication among whales.