Water Nuggets Practice Exam

Agricultural runoff typically contains fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals used in farming practices. When rain or irrigation causes these materials to wash off the land and into nearby water bodies, they lead to increased nutrient pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. This excess of nutrients can create conditions that result in harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water and can produce toxins harmful to aquatic life and even humans. Increased nutrient pollution is a significant issue as it disrupts aquatic ecosystems, leads to water quality degradation, and poses risks to drinking water supplies.

In contrast, improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and reduced flood risk do not directly result from agricultural runoff. These options imply positive impacts that are typically not associated with nutrient and chemical loading from agricultural practices.