Hydrosphere

Which best explains why there is higher salinity near the equator than in coastal regions?

• The ocean is deeper at the equator, resulting in a higher concentration of salt.

• The rotation of the Earth causes increased evaporation of freshwater at the equator, leaving the salt behind.

• The water temperature is higher at the equator, causing increased evaporation of freshwater and leaving the salt behind.

• Large ships transporting cargo across the ocean move the salt from a higher concentration to a lower concentration.

How can communities best determine if methods used to maintain water quality can justify the economic trade-offs involved?

• by evaluating health benefits of higher water quality

• by creating monetary incentives for industry

• by analyzing costs of educational programs

• by reducing tax incentives for farmers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

Which is least often used to study the deepest parts of the ocean floor?

• sonar

• satellites

• scuba divers

• submersibles

Through which practice do scientists collect information about bioindicators in a lake?

• by measuring the clarity of the water

• by using thermometers and pH probes

• by introducing fertilizers and chemicals to measure impact

• by collecting organisms and making underwater observations

Which could most likely cause a freshwater shortage on the North Carolina Coast?

• an oil spill in the ocean

• damage to the ecosystem from overfishing

• freezing of the water table during a harsh winter

• saltwater flowing into aquifers due to overuse of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which best explains why nonpoint pollution is so hard to control?

• Nonpoint pollutants have no odor.

• Nonpoint pollutants come from a variety of locations.

• Nonpoint pollutants are all gaseous and invisible.

• Nonpoint pollutants are more toxic.

An area that uses a reservoir is suffering from a drought. Which best explains why water authorities would continue to release water into a river basin from the reservoir?

• The flowing water is needed for irrigation on the farms bordering the river.

• It will prevent flooding along the river basin in case of heavy rainfalls.

• People along the river need the water.

• The flowing water keeps the river basin healthy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which best explains the importance of pH in determining the health of a water system?

• Most organisms living in water are able to adapt to changing water pH.

• Variations in the pH of water can indicate the presence of toxic substances.

• A low pH in ground water encourages the growth of photosynthetic organisms.

• Variations in the pH of water can affect the ability of water to absorb atmospheric gases.

Which factors limit the productivity of a marine ecosystem?

• availability of light and nutrients

• availability of nutrients and fresh water

• availability of light and chemosynthetic organisms

• availability of photosynthetic organisms and fresh water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which best explains the relationship between water stored in the ocean and water stored in groundwater?

• Water stored in groundwater enters the ocean directly as discharge, but ocean water does not enter groundwater.

• Water stored in the ocean remains separate from water stored in groundwater, and the two sources of water do not interact.

• Water from the ocean enters groundwater directly through the soil by infiltration, but groundwater does not enter the ocean water.

• Water from the ocean evaporates, condenses, and forms precipitation which enters groundwater through the soil by infiltration, but groundwater enters the ocean directly as discharge.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4