Test Review

Which best explains how nutrients, salt, sediment and pollutants get into estuaries and oceans?

• from precipitation falling over the estuaries and oceans

• from organisms living and dying in estuaries and oceans

• from rivers and streams flowing into estuaries and oceans

• from asteroids and comets impacting Earth at estuaries and oceans

Which accurately describes the relationship between nutrients and life-forms in an estuary?

A« Correct answerB C D

• As nutrients increase, the number of life-forms increases.

• As nutrients decrease, the number of life-forms increases.

• As nutrients increase, the number of life-forms stays the same.

• As nutrients decrease, the number of life-forms stays the same.

In which oceanic zone do clams and crabs survive by burrowing in the sand?

• oceanic

• intertidal

• deep ocean

• open ocean

Which best describes the shallow water ocean zone?

• The long water column protects small organisms from being eaten by large predators.

• Cooler water temperatures cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen needed by organisms.

• Sunlight penetration increases algae growth and provides food for a variety of organisms.

• Hydrothermal vents provide heat and dissolved minerals needed by some organisms to survive.

Which describes an estuary?

A B C

• A large body of fresh water.

• A large body of salt water.

• The wide, lower course of a river where fresh and salt water mix.

• Open Ocean

How does overharvesting of oysters impact the water quality of an estuary?

• increase in pollution usually consumed by oysters

• decrease in CO2 levels due to increase in pollution

• increase in organic matter usually filtered by oysters

Which best describes the water in an estuary?

• brackish

• frozen

• fresh

• salt

Which characteristic of an estuary makes it a good nursery area for marine organisms?

• It is located at the mouth of a river.

• It has a mix of salt and fresh water.

• It has many areas to hide from predators.

• It has the ability to absorb water and prevent flooding.

Which best describes an estuary?

• nutrient-poor swamps and bogs of the Great Lakes

• nutrient-poor Cape Fear River and Deep River basins

• nutrient-rich tributaries and meanders of the Blue Ridge Mountains

• nutrient-rich salt marshes and mangrove forests of the Florida Everglades

Which characteristic distinguishes an estuary from other bodies of water?

• plant life

• animal life

• salinity level

• dissolved oxygen