Basics of Wastewater Quality Analysis Quiz

Test your knowledge of key wastewater quality parameters with this foundational quiz.

1. What does BOD stand for?

A) Biological Oxidation Demand

B) Biochemical Oxygen Demand

C) Basic Oxygen Demand

D) Biological Oxygen Dissociation

2. Why is BOD an important parameter in wastewater analysis?

A) It indicates the color of the water

B) It shows the amount of sediment present

C) It reflects the organic matter requiring oxygen for decomposition

D) It determines the water's temperature

3. Which of the following best defines COD?

A) The amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria

B) The chemical amount of dissolved solids

C) The oxygen content of clean water

D) The total oxygen required to chemically oxidize organic and inorganic matter

4. What does TSS stand for?

A) Total Salinity Scale

B) Total Soluble Substances

C) Total Suspended Solids

D) Total Sulfur Salts

5. High TSS in wastewater can lead to:

A) Higher light penetration

B) Increased aquatic plant growth

C) Clogging of filters and pipes

D) More oxygen in water

6. TDS refers to:

A) Total Dissolved Solids

B) Total Dirty Solids

C) Thermally Dissipated Substances

D) Total Dynamic Solutes

7. What does DO stand for in water quality analysis?

A) Dry Oxygen

B) Dissolved Oxygen

C) Distilled Oxygen

D) Diluted Oxide

8. Which of the following best describes pH?

A) The oxygen level in water

B) A measure of acidity or alkalinity

C) The concentration of nitrogen

D) The volume of sediment

9. A low pH in wastewater indicates:

A) Alkalinity

B) Neutrality

C) Acidity

D) High oxygen content

10. Why is DO important in wastewater?

A) It measures the water temperature

B) It’s essential for aquatic life and aerobic treatment processes

C) It calculates nitrogen levels

D) It checks phosphate levels

11. COD is always lower than BOD.

A) True

B) False

12. High nitrate levels in wastewater can cause eutrophication in receiving water bodies.

A) True

B) False

13. Ammonia in wastewater is non-toxic to aquatic life.

A) True

B) False

14. Phosphates in wastewater contribute to algae blooms.

A) True

B) False

15. BOD and COD are used to estimate the amount of organic pollutants in wastewater.

A) True

B) False

16. ________ is the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.

A) BOD

B) DO

C) TSS

D) COD

17. An increase in ______ levels in wastewater typically indicates contamination by human or animal waste.

A) Phosphate

B) TDS

C) DO

D) Ammonia

18. The ideal pH range for most aquatic life is between ______ and ______.

A) 3.5 and 5.5

B) 6.5 and 8.5

C) 8.5 and 10.5

D) 2.0 and 4.0

19. ________ nitrogen is a form of nitrogen that includes compounds like NH₃ and NH₄⁺.

A) Nitrate

B) Ammonia

C) Nitrite

D) Organic

20. The presence of nutrients like nitrate and phosphate in high concentrations often leads to __________.

A) Deforestation

B) Alkalinity

C) Eutrophication

D) Sedimentation