The Main Reason That Surface Water Pollution Has Largely Decreased

question 14

Multiple Choice

The main reason that surface water pollution has largely decreased in the United States since 1950 is

• A) The Clean Water Act
• B) A series of epidemics that inspired action
• C) The discovery of newer technology that makes it cheaper not to pollute
• D) The decrease in water withdrawal for industrial uses
• E) The emphasis, in 1950, on watershed management

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Definitions:

Nitric Acid

A highly corrosive mineral acid with the formula HNO3, widely used in the production of fertilizers and explosives.

Transformation

A marked change in form, nature, or appearance, often used in the context of biological processes, social change, or technology development.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where most weather phenomena and life as we know it exists.

Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere and characterized by a temperature inversion with altitude.