Marine Ecosystems

Select the letter of the term or phrase that best matches the description.

potential threat to an estuary

• barnacle

• plankton

• open ocean

• runoff

• coral reef

Select the letter of the term or phrase that best matches the description.

ecosystem found in shallow, tropical seas

• barnacle

• plankton

• open ocean

• runoff

• coral reef

Why doesn’t photosynthesis occur in deep ocean water?

• The water temperature is too cold.

• There is no sunlight.

• There are not enough nutrients.

• The salinity level of the water is too high.

Organisms that live in estuaries must adapt to changes in

• sunlight and nutrients.

• temperature and precipitation.

• oxygen and pollutants.

• water level and salinity.

Select the letter of the term or phrase that best matches the description.

marine ecosystem considered not productive

• barnacle

• plankton

• open ocean

• runoff

• coral reef

In estuaries, fresh water and salt water mix, forming a(n)

• algal bloom.

• coastal boundary.

• habitat for shellfish.

• nutrient trap.

Select the letter of the term or phrase that best matches the description.

organism that anchors itself to grasses or rocks

• barnacle

• plankton

• open ocean

• runoff

• coral reef

Most of the nutrients in an arctic ecosystem come from

• melting ice.

• sunlight.

• the ocean.  

• lakes.

Select the letter of the term or phrase that best matches the description.

base of marine food web

• barnacle

• plankton

• open ocean

• runoff

• coral reef

The majority of marine organisms are found in

• salt marshes.

• deep ocean waters.

• shallow, coastal waters.

• hydrothermal vents.