Oceanography Unit Review

Front

What is the role of producers in a food web?

Back

Producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis and form the base of the food web. They contain the lowest concentration of chemical pollutants.

Front

Define thermocline.

Back

Thermocline is a layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth, separating the warmer surface water from the colder deep water.

Front

What are the North East Tradewinds?

Back

The North East Tradewinds are prevailing winds that blow from the northeast towards the equator, influencing ocean currents such as the North Equatorial Current.

Front

What causes deep ocean currents?

Back

Deep ocean currents are primarily caused by differences in water density, which can result from variations in temperature and salinity.

Front

How does El Niño affect the climate in the southwestern United States?

Back

El Niño events typically lead to increased precipitation and cooler temperatures in the southwestern United States.

Front

What is the significance of the food web in ocean ecosystems?

Back

The food web illustrates the complex feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem, showing how energy and nutrients flow through different trophic levels.

Front

Explain the concept of ocean stratification.

Back

Ocean stratification refers to the layering of water in the ocean based on temperature and salinity, affecting circulation and marine life.

Front

What is the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents?

Back

Surface currents are driven by wind and affect the upper layer of the ocean, while deep ocean currents are driven by density differences and occur below the surface.

Front

Define upwelling.

Back

Upwelling is the process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, supporting high productivity in marine ecosystems.

Front

What is the role of salinity in ocean water density?

Back

Salinity affects the density of ocean water; higher salinity increases density, which can influence ocean circulation patterns.