CH Water Quality & Management 3

Question 1

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocates pollutant loads among which sources?

Accepted Answer

Point sources, nonpoint sources, and a margin of safety

Answer

A TMDL divides the allowable pollutant load among wasteload allocations (point sources), load allocations (nonpoint sources), and a margin of safety.

Question 2

Which sampling method is preferred for collecting water quality samples to represent average stream conditions at a cross-section?

Accepted Answer

Depth-integrated sampling across the stream width

Answer

Depth-integrated samples collected at multiple verticals across the cross-section provide a flow-weighted composite representative of total stream conditions.

Question 3

The US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulates which type of water pollution source?

Accepted Answer

Point source discharges to navigable waters

Answer

NPDES permits regulate point source discharges—those from a discrete conveyance such as a pipe or ditch—to waters of the US.

Question 4

Which process most effectively removes phosphorus from stormwater in a constructed wetland?

Accepted Answer

Sedimentation and biological uptake by vegetation

Answer

Phosphorus is removed in wetlands primarily through particle settling and assimilation by aquatic plants and algae.

Question 5

A stream's assimilative capacity refers to its ability to:

Accepted Answer

Receive and break down pollutants without violating water quality standards

Answer

Assimilative capacity is the amount of waste a water body can absorb through natural processes without exceeding water quality criteria.

(CH) Certified Hydrographer Practice Test

(CH) Certified Hydrographer Practice Test

CH Water Quality & Management 3