Upwelling and Productivity

How do oceanic upwellings promote the growth of microscopic plankton?

• They bring warmer water to the surface of the ocean.

• They bring dissolved nutrients to the surface of the ocean.

• They decrease the levels of oxygen at the surface of the ocean.

• They decrease the amount of nutrients at the surface of the ocean.

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Which causes cold ocean water to rise during an upwelling event?

• motion of organisms

• deep water currents

• mass of nutrients

• surface winds

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What area of the ocean is most benefited by upwelling?

• the ocean floor

• the ocean trenches

• the continental shelf

• the surface of the ocean

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Why are large numbers of ocean animals found in areas where upwelling occurs?

• Oxygen is increased by the movement of water.

• Oxygen is decreased by the movement of water.

• Nutrients are increased by the movement of water.

• Nutrients are decreased by the movement of water.

Upwelling moves the water of the deep ocean to the ocean’s surface. What else does upwelling move to the surface?

• fish

• nutrients

• phytoplankton

• dissolved gases

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Which best explains what happens to nutrients in the ocean as a result of upwelling?

• Upwelling carries nutrients to coral reefs.

• Upwelling carries nutrients to the ocean bottom.

• Upwelling carries nutrients to the intertidal zone.

• Upwelling carries nutrients to the surface of the ocean.

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Why is upwelling an important process in a marine ecosystem?

• Upwelling replaces sand and gravel on beaches lost as the result of wave and tidal action.

• Upwelling decreases the temperature differences between different layers of ocean water.

• Upwelling cycles nutrients from decomposers along the ocean floor to producers in surface waters.

• Upwelling returns salt to the surface from the benthic zone as part of the global conveyor belt current.

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Why are upwellings in the ocean essential for some organisms to survive?

• because many animals need lowtide conditions each day

• because currents carry predators away from the surface

• because the warm water kills bacteria before it can harm plankton

• because needed nutrients and dissolved gases are brought into new areas

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What causes upwelling in the oceans?

• coral reef construction

• photosynthesis reactions

• winds and ocean currents

• animal migration patterns

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Why are many fishing boats found near ocean upwellings?

• There is less vegetation there.

• The water is less turbulent there.

• Many marine species gather there to eat the nutrients brought to the surface.

• Upwellings are found in more shallow waters, so boats do not need deep anchorage.

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