EOM: Human Impact on Ocean Systems

Oliver, a marine biologist, is studying the commercial fishing industry, which uses large nets to capture fish. Often, these nets catch many species of organisms that are not used by humans. This is called bycatch. What change could lessen the negative effect of this practice of the commercial fishing industry?

• Exploring new and uncharted areas of the ocean where the nets can be used

• Decreasing the size of the nets but using more of them

• Designing nets that release unwanted species without harming them

• Using the nets in deeper regions of the ocean where different organisms live

Answer explanation

Designing nets that release unwanted species without harming them directly addresses bycatch, allowing for the capture of target fish while minimizing the impact on non-target species, thus reducing negative effects.

Grace and Elijah are studying the impact of pollution on marine life. Using the image provided, which answer choice correctly summarizes how the pollution from the factory and the commercial fishing industry are connected?

• The factories provide nutrients for the fish, increasing their populations, which in turn helps the fishing industry by increasing their profits.

• The factories produce pollution, which ends up in the water, reducing the number of animals in the oceans. The fishing industry then cannot catch enough fish to meet the demand.

• The fishing boats produce pollution, which impacts the factory’s ability to produce its product.

• The fishing boats catch the majority of fish in the oceans, which prevents the factories from having the required materials to function.

Answer explanation

The correct choice explains that factory pollution harms marine life, leading to fewer fish in the ocean. Consequently, the fishing industry struggles to meet demand due to the reduced fish populations.

During a school trip to the beach, Elijah and Anika learned about ocean organisms. Which of the following substances necessary for human life is produced by these ocean organisms that photosynthesize?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Carbon dioxide

• Helium

Answer explanation

Ocean organisms that photosynthesize, like phytoplankton, produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. This oxygen is essential for human life, making it the correct answer.

During a school project, Evelyn and Mason explored how humans depend on the oceans for many aspects of their lives. Which of the following summarizes how life would be different if the ocean ecosystems collapsed?

• The recreation industry would collapse because of the lack of available and abundant fish populations.

• The temperature regulation of the oceans would collapse because of the lack of available and abundant fish populations.

• The oil drilling industry would collapse because of the lack of available and abundant fish populations.

• The commercial fishing industry would collapse because of the lack of available and abundant fish populations.

Answer explanation

The commercial fishing industry relies heavily on fish populations. If ocean ecosystems collapsed, fish would become scarce, leading to the industry's collapse, affecting food supply and livelihoods.

Scarlett is working on a project about environmental impact. She needs to know how many of the methods shown in the image do humans have control over?

• All of them

• 8 of 13

• 5 of 13

• 10 of 13

Answer explanation

Humans have control over many environmental methods. In this case, 10 out of the 13 methods shown can be influenced by human actions, making '10 of 13' the correct choice.

Luna and her friends are working on a school project about environmental conservation. They are researching how humans contribute to the chemical pollution of oceans. Which of the following is a method in which humans contribute to the chemical pollution of our oceans?

• A. Spraying fertilizer on yards, public spaces, and agricultural areas

• B. Boat traffic interfering with the communication methods of large aquatic mammals

• C. Leaking oil, gasoline, and other chemicals from cars and boats

• D. Collecting rainwater to reuse as irrigation for farms

• E. Runoff from manufacturing plants located near waterways

Answer explanation

Humans contribute to ocean chemical pollution through methods like spraying fertilizers (A), leaking oil and chemicals from vehicles (C), and runoff from manufacturing plants (E), which contaminate waterways.

Liam and Abigail are studying the environmental impact of a local factory and its cooling tank. In which of the locations could pollution be released that would negatively impact our ocean systems?

• 1 (Factory)

• 2 (Hot water)

• 3 (Smoke stack)

• 4 (Wastewater discharge)

Answer explanation

Hot water from the cooling tank can raise ocean temperatures, harming marine life. Smoke from the stack can release pollutants that affect air and water quality, leading to negative impacts on ocean systems.

Sophia and Benjamin are studying the sources of ocean pollution for their environmental science project. They found a graph showing different sources. Which two resources together can impact the ocean system the most?

• Air pollutants and oil spills

• Land runoff and air pollutants

• Oil spills from shipping and litter dumped into the ocean

• Land runoff and oil spills

Answer explanation

Land runoff carries fertilizers and pollutants into the ocean, while air pollutants can lead to acid rain, both significantly harming marine ecosystems. Together, they create a larger impact than the other options.

Elijah and Isla are discussing environmental issues. Which statement best explains the answer to Part A?

• A. Humans pollute the air, land, and ocean. Even though air and land pollution are not part of the ocean, they still have large effects on the ocean systems.

• B. Oil spills and litter are the only two sources of pollution that occur in the ocean.

• C. Air pollutants and oil spills occur more often than any of the other types of pollution.

• D. Oil spills and land runoff are easier to clean up than pollutants from land.

Answer explanation

Choice A is correct because it highlights that pollution from air and land significantly impacts ocean systems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental issues.

During a class discussion, Ava mentioned that humans depend on oceans for oxygen and transportation. How many of the following are other ways humans depend on the oceans?

• 7

• 2

• 4

• 5

Answer explanation

Humans depend on oceans for various reasons, including food, climate regulation, recreation, biodiversity, and economic resources. Thus, there are 7 significant ways humans rely on oceans, making the correct answer 7.