Water Nuggets Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

Testing for chlorides, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen (DO) is particularly relevant for a water plant sourcing water impacted by runoff from a cattle feed lot. Runoff from animal feeding operations can significantly introduce organic and inorganic pollutants into nearby water bodies.

Chlorides can indicate salt contamination, which may arise from the use of de-icing agents or fertilizers in feed lots. Nitrates, derived from animal waste and fertilizers, are critical to monitor because they can lead to eutrophication in water bodies and pose health risks, particularly to infants, causing conditions such as methemoglobinemia, also known as "blue baby syndrome." Additionally, tracking dissolved oxygen levels is essential as they can deteriorate due to organic matter decomposition from animal waste, impacting aquatic life.

In contrast, the other options would not be as critical in assessing the specific risks associated with runoff from a cattle feed lot, as they focus on parameters that are either less directly impacted by livestock operations or not as pertinent to runoff scenarios.