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Water Quality Historical Impacts

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge on the historical impacts of water quality.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: water quality historical impacts pollution
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Which of the following is NOT a major source of water pollution during the Industrial Revolution?

  1. Sewage

  2. Factory waste

  3. Agricultural runoff

  4. Acid rain


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Acid rain is a relatively recent phenomenon caused by the burning of fossil fuels, while sewage, factory waste, and agricultural runoff have been major sources of water pollution for centuries.

What was the name of the landmark legislation passed in the United States in 1972 to address water pollution?

  1. The Clean Water Act

  2. The Safe Drinking Water Act

  3. The National Environmental Policy Act

  4. The Endangered Species Act


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Clean Water Act is a comprehensive law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters and sets standards for water quality.

Which of the following is NOT a major waterborne disease that was common in the past?

  1. Cholera

  2. Typhoid

  3. Dysentery

  4. Polio


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Polio is a viral disease that is spread through contact with infected feces. It is not a waterborne disease.

What was the name of the famous outbreak of cholera in London in 1854 that led to the development of modern sanitation systems?

  1. The Great Stink

  2. The Black Death

  3. The Cholera Morbus

  4. The Plague


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Great Stink was a severe outbreak of cholera in London in 1854 that killed over 600 people. The outbreak was traced to contaminated water from the River Thames, and it led to the development of modern sanitation systems.

Which of the following is NOT a major type of water pollution that is still a problem today?

  1. Sewage

  2. Factory waste

  3. Agricultural runoff

  4. Thermal pollution


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Thermal pollution is the release of heated water into a natural body of water, which can have a negative impact on aquatic life. It is not as widespread as sewage, factory waste, and agricultural runoff.

What was the name of the environmental disaster in Minamata, Japan, in the 1950s that was caused by mercury pollution?

  1. The Minamata Disease

  2. The Bhopal Disaster

  3. The Chernobyl Disaster

  4. The Three Mile Island Accident


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Minamata Disease was a neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning that affected residents of Minamata, Japan, in the 1950s. The mercury pollution was caused by a chemical plant that discharged mercury into the bay.

Which of the following is NOT a major international agreement that aims to protect water quality?

  1. The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic

  2. The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

  3. The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution

  4. The Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution is an international agreement that aims to reduce air pollution, but it does not specifically address water quality.

What was the name of the famous environmental activist who was instrumental in raising awareness about water pollution in the United States in the 1960s?

  1. Rachel Carson

  2. Paul Ehrlich

  3. Barry Commoner

  4. John Muir


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rachel Carson was a marine biologist and author who wrote the book Silent Spring, which raised awareness about the dangers of pesticides and other pollutants. She was also a vocal advocate for protecting water quality.

Which of the following is NOT a major cause of water pollution in developing countries?

  1. Lack of sanitation

  2. Industrial pollution

  3. Agricultural runoff

  4. Deforestation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Deforestation is a major cause of water pollution in developed countries, but it is not as significant a problem in developing countries.

What was the name of the United Nations conference that was held in Stockholm in 1972 to address environmental issues, including water pollution?

  1. The Stockholm Conference

  2. The Rio Earth Summit

  3. The Kyoto Protocol

  4. The Paris Agreement


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Stockholm Conference was a major international conference that was held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. The conference addressed a wide range of environmental issues, including water pollution.

Which of the following is NOT a major challenge to improving water quality in the 21st century?

  1. Climate change

  2. Population growth

  3. Economic development

  4. Technological innovation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Technological innovation is a key part of the solution to improving water quality in the 21st century. New technologies are being developed to clean up polluted water and to make water use more efficient.

What was the name of the major oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010?

  1. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill

  2. The Exxon Valdez oil spill

  3. The Prestige oil spill

  4. The Erika oil spill


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a major oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The spill was caused by an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which killed 11 people and released millions of barrels of oil into the ocean.

Which of the following is NOT a major type of water pollution that is caused by agriculture?

  1. Fertilizer runoff

  2. Pesticide runoff

  3. Animal waste runoff

  4. Thermal pollution


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Thermal pollution is not a type of water pollution that is caused by agriculture.

What was the name of the major water crisis that occurred in Flint, Michigan, in 2014?

  1. The Flint water crisis

  2. The Walkerton water crisis

  3. The Bhopal disaster

  4. The Chernobyl disaster


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Flint water crisis was a major water crisis that occurred in Flint, Michigan, in 2014. The crisis was caused by the city's decision to switch its water source from the Detroit River to the Flint River, which was contaminated with lead and other pollutants.

Which of the following is NOT a major challenge to improving water quality in the 21st century?

  1. Climate change

  2. Population growth

  3. Economic development

  4. Technological innovation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Technological innovation is a key part of the solution to improving water quality in the 21st century. New technologies are being developed to clean up polluted water and to make water use more efficient.

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