ChemCom WQI Field Trip Practice Test 2015
Name: The WQI is calculated using nine different tests.
For questions 1-9 describe what each test measures.
1. D.O.
2. Fecal Coliform
3. pH
4. BOD
5. Δ Temperature
6. Total Phosphate
7. Nitrates
8. Turbidity
9. Total Solids
The WQI is calculated using nine different tests. For questions
10-18 describe in one sentence how the test is done.
10. D.O.
11. Fecal Coliform
12. pH
13. BOD
14. Δ Temperature
15. Total Phosphate
16. Nitrates
17. Turbidity
18. Total Solids
Low quality (Q) values by any of the nine tests that make up the WQI can cause
problems in a lake or river. Match the described problems below with the likely
cause.
19.
Water Problem: Dead fish found in a specific area of lake near an nuclear power
plant that is discharging cooling water into a lake.
Likely test showing a low Q-Value:
a. fecal coliform
b. temperature
c. nitrates
20.
Water Problem: Cultural Eutrofication has caused overgrowth of weeds and
plants.
Likely test showing a low Q-Value:
a. pH
b. temperature
c. nitrates
21.
Water Problem: Local fishermen have contracted typhoid fever and hepatitis.
Local kids playing in the river have reported numerous ear infections and
dysentery. Contact with the water seems to be making people sick.
Likely test showing a low Q-Value:
a. pH
b. fecal coliform
c. temperature
22.
Water Problem: Entire lake appears to lack life of any kind. No fish, no frogs, no
snails, no mayfly’s etc. Lake is completely clear but sterile. Tests also show a
high level of heavy metals in the water.
The water most likely is suffering from
a. acid contamination
b. fecal coliform contamination
c. high turbidity from construction runoff
Low quality (Q) values by any of the nine tests that make up the WQI can cause
problems in a lake or river. Match the described problems below with the likely
cause.
23.
Water Problem: Cultural eutrofication has caused overgrowth of weeds and
plants.
Which of the following is probably the cause of the problem?
a. High dissolved oxygen
b. Excessive acid contamination
c. High levels of phosphates
24.
Water Problem: Water appears very muddy. Visible silt and floating particles in
the water. The bottom cannot be seen even in shallow water.
Likely test showing a low Q-Value:
a. turbidity
b. pH
c. phosphates
25.
Water Problem: The water temperature is very warm. Water is clear but there
are dead fish, mostly pike and trout.
Likely test showing a low Q-Value:
a. turbidity
b. DO
c. total solids
The environment surrounding a stream or creek can often have a direct impact on
some of the nine tests used to measure the WQI. Match the environmental factor
described below with the likely impact it will have on the lake or river.
26.
A local creek is surrounded by farms. The farmers are often seen using fertilizers
on the cornfields directly next to the stream.
Likely impact on the stream:
a.
Increased dissolved oxygen
-
-3
b.
Increased NO
3and PO
4 levels
c.
Decreased pH levels
27.
A lake is directly down wind from a number of coal mines and coal-fired power
plant.
Likely impact on the lake:
a.
Increased fecal coliform bacteria
b.
Acid contamination and low pH readings
c.
Decrease dissolved oxygen levels
28.
A dairy farm has a creek in the middle of the field where chickens and horses
can be seen grazing daily. Often the cows can be seen dropping cow pies (poop)
into the river.
The most
IMMEDIATE
effect on the water would be
a.
Increased fecal coliform bacteria
b.
Increased O
levels
2
c.
Acid contamination and low pH readings
29.
A housing construction site surrounds a river. All the existing trees and grasses
have been striped away. Large valleys can be seen eroded into the banks of the
river and muddy water is flowing from the development towards the river.
Likely influence on the stream:
a.
Decreased fecal coliform bacteria levels.
b.
Increased pH levels.
c.
Increased turbidity levels.
30.
Which of the following tests would be almost impossible to perform at the lake
or river?
a.
pH
b.
Nitrates
c.
Total solids
31.
A stream has very low level of oxygen. What would be a good solution to
increase the dissolved oxygen levels?
a.
Add limestone
b.
Install a fountain or construct a series of rapids to tumble the water
c.
Add chlorine
32.
A stream is next to a coal mine that releases very acidic water. What would help
neutralize the acidic runoff?
a.
Add limestone
b.
Install a fountain or construct a series of rapids to tumble the water
c.
Add chlorine
33.
A lake has very high levels of fecal coliform bacteria from too many sea gulls.
What would probably decrease fecal coliform entering the water from sea gulls?
a.
Add limestone
b.
Install a fountain or construct a series of rapids to tumble the water
c.
Station a dog by the lake to scare away birds
34.
A series of lake cottages have illegally installed septic systems that are dumping
human waste directly into a stream. What would help control the level of
bacteria?
a.
Add limestone to the waste before it gets to the lake
b.
Add chlorine to the waste before it gets to the lake
c.
Add a sand filter to the waste stream before it gets to the lake
Nitrate Testing
Nitrate Level = 35 ppm
35.
What is the Q value for the sample tested?
36.
What is the WQI score for this sample?
37.
How would you rate the quality of the water?
Dissolved Oxygen Testing
Color matches at 8 ppm on the color chart
Temperature of water: 15 deg C
38.
% Saturation =
39.
What is the Q value for the sample tested?
Turbidity Testing
40.
Turbidity is measured with a secchi disk. A student using this technique
estimates the Secchi disk disappears at depth of 1 foot. What is the Q-Value of
turbidity test?
NTU conversion =
Total solids data for question #41.
Water poured into beaker:
Mass of beaker with dried solid:
Mass of clean beaker:
Q-Value =
150.0 ml
105.025 grams
105.000 grams
41.
Using the data above and the total solids formula, what would be the calculated
level of total solids in this sample?
42.
What activity would you most like to participate in during a Friday in May?
Fecal Coliform Testing
Total tubes tested: 21
# of positive tubes: 13
# of negative tubes: 8
43.
Using the data above and the Lesniak Fecal Equation, what would the calculated
level of fecal coliform be for this water sample?
44.
What is the Q-Value?
45.
How would you rate the quality of the water?