Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Florida Drinking Water Operator "B" Test. Use multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations to prepare. Ace your certification!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following is a common consequence of over-fertilization of land?

Increase in nitrate concentration
Decrease in soil quality
Reduction in crop yield
Enhancement of biodiversity

The correct answer is: Increase in nitrate concentration

Over-fertilization of land commonly leads to an increase in nitrate concentration in the soil and nearby water bodies. When excessive fertilizers, particularly those high in nitrogen, are applied, the nutrients can leach into groundwater or runoff into surface waters, elevating nitrate levels. This increased nitrate concentration can cause various environmental issues, such as water pollution, which can lead to algal blooms in aquatic systems, resulting in further ecological imbalances. In addition, the rise in nitrates can adversely affect human health if contaminated drinking water sources are consumed. Elevated nitrate levels are associated with conditions such as methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby syndrome," particularly in infants. Therefore, understanding the implications of over-fertilization is crucial for water quality management and ensuring the safety of drinking water sources.