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Difficulty: MediumPollution Types, Causes, Effects, and Control

Biologists use distinct monitoring techniques and remediation methods to combat different forms of environmental pollution. Match each biological indicator or control intervention on the left with its corresponding ecological monitoring or remediation objective on the right.

  • Application of agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) to freshwater habitatsNeutralizing water acidity caused by acid precipitation
  • Measurement of high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in aquatic samplesQuantifying organic pollution load and oxygen depletion from sewage
  • Mapping the abundance and species diversity of epiphytic lichensAssessing ambient air quality and sulfur dioxide concentration
  • Inoculation of marine oil slicks with specialized Pseudomonas bacteriaBioremediation of hydrophobic crude oil hydrocarbons

Answer

The correct pairings match each biological indicator or control intervention to its specific ecological purpose: agricultural lime neutralizes water acidity from acid precipitation; high BOD quantifies organic sewage pollution; lichen diversity measures air quality and sulfur dioxide levels; and specialized Pseudomonas bacteria perform bioremediation of crude oil spills.
Each monitoring technique or control method directly corresponds to its established ecological application: agricultural liming neutralizes acid rain effects; BOD measures organic sewage pollution; lichen bio-monitoring detects sulfur dioxide air pollution; and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria perform oil spill bioremediation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the chemical control technique: application of agricultural lime.
Liming adds calcium carbonate (CaCO3CaCO_3) to acidic aquatic bodies to neutralize excess hydrogen ions produced by acid deposition.
Acid rain lowers aquatic pH, which liming directly counteracts to restore ecological balance.
2
Evaluate the water quality parameter: Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD).
BOD measures the rate of oxygen consumption by aerobic microorganisms breaking down organic matter in water.
Elevated BOD levels directly reflect heavy organic pollution, such as untreated domestic sewage, which depletes dissolved oxygen.
3
Identify the ecological bio-indicator role of epiphytic lichens.
Lichens absorb nutrients directly from the atmosphere and are highly vulnerable to toxic gases like sulfur dioxide (SO2SO_2).
Monitoring lichen species distribution provides an effective biological measure of atmospheric air pollution.
4
Examine the biological remediation mechanism of Pseudomonas bacteria.
Certain Pseudomonas strains utilize petroleum hydrocarbons as a carbon source, converting toxic oil constituents into biomass, carbon dioxide, and water.
This process represents targeted bioremediation of marine and coastal oil spills.

Key Concept

Pollution Indicators, Causes, Effects, and Biological/Chemical Control Methods
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Topics

Pollution Types, Causes, Effects, and Control

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