Energy & Environment Management Multiple Choice Questions on “Causes of Water Pollution”.
1. Which of the following organisms found in human waste that cause water pollution?
a) Coliform bacteria
b) Viruses
c) Protozoa
d) Parasitic worms
Answer: a
Clarification: Humans waste contains concentrated populations of coliform bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis. These bacteria normally grow in the large intestine of the human body. Releasing of such wastes to water cause pollution in water bodies.
2. What is oxygen depleting waste?
a) Organic waste that can be decomposed by aerobic bacteria
b) Organic waste that can be decomposed by anaerobic bacteria
c) Organic waste that can be decomposed by aerobic viruses
d) Organic waste that can be decomposed by anaerobic viruses
Answer: a
Clarification: Oxygen depleting waste is organic that can be decomposed by aerobic bacteria. Large populations of bacteria use up the oxygen present in the water in order to degrade these wastes. This degrades the water quality as it uses up the oxygen.
3. What is the indicator of pollution in water?
a) Amount of oxygen
b) Amount of hydrogen
c) Amount of BOD
d) Amount of nitrogen
Answer: c
Clarification: The amount of oxygen required to break down a certain amount of organic matter is called the biological oxygen demand (BOD). The amount of BOD in water is an indicator of the level of pollution.
4. Why certain parts of water bodies contain more number of algae?
a) Due to favorable environment
b) Due to run-off excess fertilizers
c) Due to lack of fertilizers
d) Due to water pollution
Answer: b
Clarification: Inorganic plant nutrients found in fertilizers. Run-off carries excess fertilizers into nearby water bodies, causing high levels of plant nutrients which promote the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants.
5. What are water soluble inorganic chemicals?
a) Compounds of pure metals
b) Compounds of non-metals
c) Compounds of synthetic metals
d) Compounds of toxic metals
Answer: d
Clarification: Water soluble inorganic chemicals are acids, salts and compounds of toxic metals such as mercury and lead. High levels of these chemicals can make the water unfit to drink and harm fish and other aquatic life.
6. There is only one class of common water pollutants.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: There are several classes of common water pollutants. These classes of water pollutants harm the environment by polluting the water. Some of the classes of common water pollutants are Disease causing agents, oxygen depleting waste, inorganic plant nutrients etc.
7. Who sediment of suspended matter occurs?
a) When soil is eroded from the air
b) When soil is eroded from the land
c) When soil is eroded from the water
d) When soil is eroded from the rock
Answer: b
Clarification: Sediment of suspended matter occurs when the soil is eroded from the land. High levels of soil particles which are suspended in water interfere with the penetration of sunlight. This reduces the photosynthetic activity of aquatic plants and algae.
8. What is a sediment of suspended matter?
a) Insoluble particles of soil and other solids
b) Soluble particles of soil and other solids
c) Insoluble particles of water
d) Soluble particles of water