Reading Science - Runoff and the Ocean

What did Stanford University scientists prove in 2005 regarding runoff from commercial farms?

• It has no significant impact on the ocean.

• It is responsible for excessive phytoplankton blooms.

• It increases the ocean's water temperature.

• It reduces the amount of fish in the ocean.

Why is it important to understand how humans interact with the ocean?

• To increase commercial farming efficiency.

• To improve scientific measurement methods.

• To better protect oceans from human pollution.

• To discover new species in the ocean.

According to passage, what percentage of the Earth's water is in the ocean?

• About 3%

• About 50%

• About 75%

• About 97%

What is runoff?

• Water that is stored in underground aquifers.

• Water that evaporates directly into the atmosphere.

• Water that travels over the ground and drains into a body of water.

• Water that is used exclusively for drinking purposes.

What is the "active" ingredient in manure and many other plant fertilizers that affects ocean plants?

• Carbon

• Phosphorus

• Nitrogen

• Potassium

How does the introduction of additional plant fertilizer into the ocean affect it?

• It increases the water clarity.

• It changes the balance of ocean plant growth.

• It creates more habitats for fish.

• It reduces the amount of contaminants.

What are phytoplankton and why are they important in the ocean?

• Large fish that provide food for marine species

• Microscopic algae that form the base of the aquatic food chain

• Contaminants that cause ocean pollution

• Bacteria that decompose dead zones in the ocean

What can cause hypoxic areas in waters?

• Overpopulation of fish

• Increased water temperature

• The short-lived algae dying and bacteria decomposing their bodies

• Excessive sunlight penetrating the water

What did the scientists at Stanford University discover about the connection between nitrogen in runoff water and algal blooms?

• Nitrogen in runoff water has no effect on algal blooms

• There was always an algal bloom within days of the fertilization cycle

• Algal blooms are less frequent in areas with high nitrogen runoff

• Nitrogen in runoff water decreases the size of algal blooms

Why is it important to understand how humans can cause and prevent abnormally concentrated algal blooms?

• To increase the frequency of algal blooms for research purposes

• To enhance the growth of commercial fisheries

• To prevent major problems for aquatic life and commercial fisheries

• To promote the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in agriculture