Hydrology (Oceans) POST Test #1

Which two gases make up ocean water?

• oxygen and nitrogen

• oxygen and hydrogen

• oxygen and carbon dioxide

• nitrogen and carbon dioxide

Which of the following does not make studying the ocean floor difficult?

• The deep ocean is in total darkness

• The water in the deep ocean is extremely cold

• There is tremendous pressure in the deep ocean

• The ocean consists of salt water rather than fresh

Ocean water differs from freshwater in that it has:

• a lower temperature

• a higher temperature

• a higher concentration of silicon dioxide

• a higher concentration of sodium chloride

Oceans contain many dissolved elements like calcium, sodium, and chlorine and these elements plus others combine to form the salts int he oceans. Which of the following is a major source of this salt/sodium and dissolved minerals in oceans?

• gases from active volcanoes

• acid rain caused by air pollution

• weathering and erosion of rocks

• pollutants from industrial wastes

As the salinity of water increases, density...

• increases

• decreases

• stays the same

Select the ONE factor listed below that WILL NOT affect the SURFACE salinity of the oceans.

• evaporation

• precipitation

• ice melting from glaciers

• temperature

• earthquakes

A student too several water samples along an oceans coastline. One water sample contained much less salt than the other samples. Which best explains what may have made that sample different?

• the water sample was taken at low tide

• the water sample was taken in an area of the ocean that was very cool

• the water sample was taken at a bay at the mouth of the river

• the water sample was taken in an area with large waves

As you descend from the surface to the ocean floor, what kind of changes would you expect to experience?

• temperature increases and pressure decreases

• temperature decreases and pressure decreases

• temperature increases and pressure increases

• temperature decreases and pressure increases

Which statement about the bottom of the ocean floor is NOT true?

• there is very little oxygen found at the bottom of the ocean

• it is very cold at the bottom of the ocean

• it is very light at the bottom of the ocean

• there is a lot of pressure at the bottom of the ocean

Over many years, technology has enabled us to explore the ocean floor. Which is not a may that the ocean floor can be safely explored...

• by using submersibles

• by using satellites and radar

• by using sonar on ships

• deep sea divers