Ocean Currents and Garbage Patches

What is the North Pacific Garbage Patch?

• A collection of trash vortices in the Pacific Ocean

• An island made of grocery bags and drinking straws

• A series of trash vortices in the Atlantic Ocean

• A vacation destination for plastic, chemical sludge, and wood pulp

What causes the movement of ocean currents?

• Differences in density and pressure

• The rotation of the Earth

• The Coriolis effect

• All of the above

What is the size of the North Pacific Garbage Patch?

• Approximately the size of Texas

• Roughly 700,000 km2

• Always changing and difficult to define

• All of the above

What is the role of salinity in ocean water density?

• Saltier water is less dense than less salty water

• Saltier water is more dense than less salty water

• Salinity has no effect on water density

• Salinity only affects the temperature of water

What causes the deflection of surface currents by the Coriolis effect?

• The Earth's rotation

• The density of the water

• The temperature of the water

• The presence of land masses

What is the purpose of deep currents in the ocean?

• To regulate air temperature

• To transport nutrients

• To create garbage patches

• To generate energy

What is the impact of marine debris on marine ecosystems?

• It provides food for marine organisms

• It helps regulate ocean currents

• It disrupts marine habitats

• It has no impact on marine ecosystems

What is the main source of marine debris in the 21st century?

• Plastic

• Rubber

• Wood

• Metal

What is the significance of upwellings in the ocean?

• They create garbage patches

• They transport nutrients to the surface

• They regulate air temperature

• They generate energy

What is the impact of global trade on ocean pollution?

• It contributes to air pollution

• It leads to the sinking of shipping containers

• It has no impact on ocean pollution

• It helps clean up garbage patches