Which statement about surface water is true?

Which statement about surface water is true?

• A. It contains bacteria, algae, and turbidity, yet is low in minerals, gases, and dissolved solids
• B. It contains no bacteria
• C. It has high mineral content and no turbidity
• D. It always contains dissolved solids in high amounts

Answer: (A)

Surface water, coming from sources like lakes and rivers, is exposed to the environment, so it often carries microorganisms such as bacteria and algae and shows turbidity from suspended particles. Because it hasn’t spent long filtering through mineral-rich soils and rocks, its mineral content and dissolved solids are typically lower than those found in groundwater. This combination—biological material with turbidity and relatively low minerals and dissolved solids—captures the common characteristics of surface water, which is why this statement is the best descriptor. Gas content can vary and isn’t the defining feature here, but the core idea of biological presence and turbidity with lower dissolved minerals fits surface water well.

Surface water, coming from sources like lakes and rivers, is exposed to the environment, so it often carries microorganisms such as bacteria and algae and shows turbidity from suspended particles. Because it hasn’t spent long filtering through mineral-rich soils and rocks, its mineral content and dissolved solids are typically lower than those found in groundwater. This combination—biological material with turbidity and relatively low minerals and dissolved solids—captures the common characteristics of surface water, which is why this statement is the best descriptor. Gas content can vary and isn’t the defining feature here, but the core idea of biological presence and turbidity with lower dissolved minerals fits surface water well.