Ocean Biome Quiz

What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by oceans?

• About 50%

• Over 70%

• Around 85%

• Less than 60%

Why does ocean water taste salty?

• Because of dissolved carbon dioxide

• Due to sodium and chloride ions from rainwater runoff and minerals from geothermal vents

• Because of the presence of marine organisms

• Due to volcanic ash mixing with seawater

How has the ocean’s surface temperature changed over the past century?

• It has risen by an average of 1 degree Fahrenheit per decade

• It has remained stable over time

• It has risen at an average rate of about 0.13 degrees Fahrenheit per decade

• It has decreased due to melting ice caps

What is one major effect of rising ocean temperatures?

• It reduces the salinity of the ocean

• It strengthens and increases the frequency of storms

• It eliminates the need for ocean currents

• It increases oxygen levels in deep-sea environments

Why has sea level rise accelerated since 1993?

• Earth’s gravity has weakened

• Water expands when heated, and glaciers and ice sheets are melting

• Ocean water is evaporating at an unprecedented rate

• The ocean floor is sinking due to tectonic activity

What is the main consequence of ocean acidification?

• It increases the ocean’s ability to absorb oxygen

• It makes it harder for marine species like oysters, clams, and corals to form shells or skeletons

• It raises the ocean’s salinity levels

• It causes fish populations to migrate toward colder waters

Why would reducing greenhouse gas emissions today still take decades to reverse ocean damage?

• Because ocean currents take centuries to circulate

• Because greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere take decades to dissipate

• Because the ocean has already absorbed too much oxygen

• Because deep-sea organisms rely on high CO2 levels to survive