Chapter Questions
What practices and consequences led to passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972?
Discuss each of the following categories of water pollutants and the problems they cause: pathogens, organic wastes, chemical pollutants, and sediments.
How are water quality standards determined? Distinguish between water quality criteria pollutants and maximum contaminant levels.
Name and describe the facility and the process used to remove debris, grit, particulate organic matter, colloidal and dissolved organic matter, and dissolved nutrients from wastewater.
Why is secondary treatment also called biological treatment? What is the principle involved? What are the two alternative techniques used?
What are the principles involved in removing biological nutrients from waste, and what is accomplished by doing so? Where do nitrogen and phosphate go in the process?
Name and describe three methods of treating raw sludge, and give the end product(s) that may be produced from each method.
How may sewage from individual homes be handled in the absence of municipal collection systems? What are some problems with these on-site systems?
Describe and compare submerged aquatic vegetation and phytoplankton. Where and how does each get nutrients and light?
Explain the difference between oligotrophic and eutrophic waters. Describe the sequential process of eutrophication.
Distinguish between natural and cultural eutrophication.
What is being done to establish nutrient criteria?
How does the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program address point-source pollution by nutrients?
Describe the Total Maximum Daily Load program. How does it address nonpoint-source pollution, and what role do water quality criteria play in the program?
What are some of the important public-policy issues relating to water quality?
What is one international effort to curb water pollution?