Nonpoint Source Pollution Subject Review

1. Contamination of air, land, or water by substances that can adversely impact human 

health and the environment is known as __________.

2. Polluting substances are usually __________ materials.

3. Pollution is something in the __________ place at the _____ time in the 

__________ quantity. (one word)

4. Sometimes, it is not the type of material, but its __________ that determines 

whether or not the material is a pollutant.

5. Epidemics in the Middle Ages such as cholera and typhoid fever were directly related 

to __________ conditions caused by human and animal waste and garbage.

6. In 1347, a bacterium carried by rats and spread by fleas resulted in the outbreak of 

__________. (two words)

7. Any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged is 

known as ________________. (three words)

8. __________ refers to storm water that flows over surfaces like driveways and lawns.

9. A __________ is a system in which waste material is mixed with urban runoff. (three 

words)

10. Large farms that raise many animals such as cows and chickens are known as 

__________. (abbreviation)

11. The Clean Water Act established the __________ under which factories, sewage 

treatment plants, etc. must obtain a permit to discharge wastes into any body of 

water. (abbreviation)

12. Most nonpoint source pollution occurs as a result of _______________.

13. Nonpoint source pollution not only affects ecosystems; it can also have harmful 

effects on the __________.

14.Water can run off of __________ surfaces without being absorbed.

15. In many towns and cities, the water flowing into _______ is not treated before 

emptying into nearby waterbodies. (two words)

16.Approximately two-thirds of the lead and mercury that enter the Great Lakes 

originate from __________ sources.

17. __________ is created when sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with oxygen, water, 

and other atmospheric compounds. (two words)

18. Prolonged exposure to acid rain can cause soils to lose important __________ such 

as calcium and magnesium.
19.As acid rain flows over and through soils, it releases __________ into lakes and 

streams, which can cause fish to become chronically stressed.

20. Heavy machinery used by forestry and mining operations increases the risk of 

__________. (two words)

21. In the mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions of the United States, acid drainage and 

associated contamination from __________ have caused pollution in various water 

bodies. (two words)

22. The primary __________ of concern in nonpoint source pollution are nitrogen and 

phosphorus.

23. __________ results in an overproduction of organic matter, especially algae.

24.Very low levels of oxygen in water bodies is known as __________.

25. Eutrophication may be associated with conditions that result in harmful __________. 

(two words)

26.When fish and shellfish feed on HABs, they can accumulate __________ that the 

algae produce.

27. Lawn fertilizers and pet wastes can cause pollution from excess __________.

28.Combustion of __________ is a major source of nutrients in the atmosphere. (two 

words)

29. Muddy water is caused by soil in the water known as __________. (two words)

30. Pesticides can enter a waterbody as __________ which occurs when wind blows 

sprayed pesticide into a nearby waterbody. (two words)

31. The process in which substances build up in the tissues of animals is called 

__________.

32. Hydrocarbons and heavy metals from automobiles and factories eventually end up in 

water bodies through _________ or runoff. (two words)

33. Disease-causing microbes are said to be __________.

34. The __________ virus causes intestinal illness and is transmitted to humans by food 

or water contaminated with feces.

35. __________ is a program designed to monitor levels of chemicals in oysters, 

mussels, and sediments. (two words)

36. __________ capture runoff or storm water to trap sediments and contaminants. 

(two words)

37. __________ slow runoff, absorb contaminants, and provide habitat for wildlife. (two 

words)
38. __________ paving materials allow rainwater and stormwater to drain into the 

ground beneath the paving. (two words)

39. __________ are strips of grass located between a farm field and a body of water. 

(two words)

40.Conservation __________ involves leaving some crop residue from a previous 

harvest while planting a new crop.

41. To ensure that nutrients are applied only as needed, farmers __________ their fields 

prior to the growing season.

42. Lady bugs, praying mantis, and spiders are examples of __________. (two words)

43. __________ on fuel pumps on docks help limit spillage into water bodies. (two 

words)

44. One of the most important things you can do to reduce nonpoint source pollution is 

to plant grass, trees, and shrubs in __________ areas.
NPS Subject Review: Crossword Puzzle 
Across 

2. Large farms that raise many animals such as cows and chickens are known as 

__________. (abbreviation)

8. Epidemics in the Middle Ages such as cholera and typhoid fever were directly related to 

__________ conditions caused by human and animal waste and garbage.

10. Water can run off of __________ surfaces without being absorbed.

11. Any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged is known 

as __________. (three words)

13. Contamination of air, land, or water by substances that can adversely impact human 

health and the environment is known as __________.

15. Conservation __________ involves leaving some crop residue from a previous harvest 

while planting a new crop.

17. __________ is created when sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with oxygen, water, and 

other atmospheric compounds. (two words)

18. Prolonged exposure to acid rain can cause soils to lose important __________ such as 

calcium and magnesium.

19. The __________ virus causes intestinal illness and is transmitted to humans by food or 

water contaminated with feces.

20. __________ refers to storm water that flows over surfaces like driveways and lawns.

21. Pollution is something in the __________ place at the __________ time in the 

__________ quantity. (one word)

23. Disease-causing microbes are said to be __________.

27. Eutrophication may be associated with conditions that result in harmful __________. 

(two words)

28. Heavy machinery used by forestry and mining operations increases the risk of 

__________. (two words)

29. Combustion of __________ is a major source of nutrients in the atmosphere. (two 

words)

30. Nonpoint source pollution not only affects ecosystems; it can also have harmful effects 

on the __________.

33. Pesticides can enter a waterbody as __________ which occurs when wind blows 

sprayed pesticide into a nearby waterbody. (two words)
34. When fish and shellfish feed on HABs, they can accumulate __________ that the algae 

produce.

35. Hydrocarbons and heavy metals from automobiles and factories eventually end up in 

water bodies through _________ or runoff. (two words)

36. Approximately two-thirds of the lead and mercury that enter the Great Lakes originate 

from __________ sources.

37. Very low levels of oxygen in water bodies is known as __________.

Down 

1. In 1347, a bacterium carried by rats and spread by fleas resulted in the outbreak of 

__________. (two words)

2. Sometimes, it is not the type of material, but its __________ that determines whether or 

not the material is a pollutant.

3. __________ results in an overproduction of organic matter, especially algae.

4. Muddy water is caused by soil in the water known as __________. (two words)

5. In many towns and cities, the water flowing into __________ is not treated before 

emptying into nearby waterbodies. (two words)

6. __________ are strips of grass located between a farm field and a body of water. (two 

words)

7. One of the most important things you can do to reduce nonpoint source pollution is to 

plant grass, trees, and shrubs in __________ areas.

9. __________ on fuel pumps on docks help limit spillage into water bodies. (two words)

12. __________ capture runoff or storm water to trap sediments and contaminants. (two 

words)

14. Clean Water Act established the __________ under which factories, sewage treatment 

plants, etc. must obtain a permit to discharge wastes into any body of water. (abbreviation)

16. To ensure that nutrients are applied only as needed, farmers __________ their fields 

prior to the growing season.

17. In the mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions of the United States, acid drainage and 

associated contamination from __________ have caused pollution in various water bodies. 

(two words)

21. Polluting substances are usually __________ materials.
22. __________ slow runoff, absorb contaminants, and provide habitat for wildlife. (two 

words)

24. __________ paving materials allow rainwater and stormwater to drain into the ground 

beneath the paving. (two words)

25. Lady bugs, praying mantis, and spiders are examples of __________. (two words)

26. The process in which substances build up in the tissues of animals is called 

__________.

27. As acid rain flows over and through soils, it releases __________ into lakes and 

streams, which can cause fish to become chronically stressed.

31. __________ is a program designed to monitor levels of chemicals in oysters, mussels, 

and sediments. (two words)

32. A __________ is a system in which waste material is mixed with urban runoff. (three 

words)