Hydrosphere: The Ocean

How does overharvesting of oysters impact the water quality of an estuary?

• increase in pollution usually consumed by oysters

• decrease in CO₂ levels due to increase in pollution

• increase in organic matter usually filtered by oysters

• increase in CO₂ levels due to less oysters

In which part of the ocean do the greatest number of organisms live?

• in the deep zone to escape predators

• near the shore to burrow in the sand

• close to the surface to be near the largest food source

• in the open ocean to regulate their bodies in cooler temperatures

What is the major cause of surface currents?

• dolphins
• wind
• hurricanes
• tides

Why does cold water sink in a convection current?

• Less dense
• more dense
• Less humid
• More humid

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.

Which factor is not involved in the creation of ocean currents?

• The salinity of the seawater

• The unequal heating of the earth

• Ships traveling through the ocean

• The rise and fall of ocean tides created by the moon.

What term is the measure of dissolved salts in water?

• Thermocline
• Salinity
• Saltiness
• Tides

 How does the Gulf Stream affect the climate in Florida and the United Kingdom?

• Florida and the United Kingdom have colder climates.
• Florida and the United Kingdom have dryer climates.
• Florida and the United Kingdom have warmer climates compared to locations at the same latitude.
• None of the above

How does upwelling in the ocean affect aquatic populations in the area?

• The aquatic life populations begin to decrease.

• The current produced by the upwelling forces the algae population to relocate.

• The aquatic life populations move further out in the sea.

• The nutrients rising to the surface cause an increase in aquatic life.

Which process does NOT lead to a decrease in the salinity of water?

• runoff from land

• evaporation

• sea ice melting

• precipitation