Life on the Continental Shelf

The continental shelf (subtidal zone) extends from:

• the high tide mark to the low tide mark

• the shelf break to the abyssal plain

• the low tide mark to the shelf break

Benthos are organisms that

• swim against currents

• drift with the currents

• live in the subtidal zone

• live on the bottom

These organisms drift on the ocean's currents

• plankton

• nekton

• benthos

• infauna

These organisms are capable of swimming against the currents

• plankton

• nekton

• benthos

• infauna

What percentage of commercial fish is caught in waters above the continental shelf?

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

• 90%

Why are nutrients suspended in water above the continental shelf?

• water turbulence

• water stratification

• the bottom is deep

• tectonic activity

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The source of the suspended nutrients in the subtidal zone

• estuaries

• salt marshes

• mangroves

• all answers are correct

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

These benthic organisms dig or burrow in the sediment:

• epifauna

• infauna

• phytoplankton

• primary producers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

These organisms live on the surface of subtidal substrates

• epifauna

• infauna

• meiofauna

• interstitial organisms

Infauna organisms are capable of burrowing deeper in sandy bottoms because

• more porous

• better water circulation

• more oxygen

• all answers are correct

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5