NEW
Font size
WorksheetsHydrosphere
Total questions: 24
Worksheet time: 12mins
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Which would most likely happen if the temperature of Earth's oceans suddenly increased?
Ocean levels would increase due to polar ice melting.
Ocean levels would decrease due to increased evaporation.
Ocean levels would increase due to increased plant and animal mass.
Ocean levels would decrease due to more water seeping into the ground.
Scientists use a variety of methods to monitor the ocean. Buoys are used to collect data at the surface. Which is most effective in monitoring large areas of the ocean floor?
satellites
submarines
weather balloons
remote-operated vehicles
Which technology is most often used to map the ocean floor?
radar
sonar
submersibles
x-rays
Which best explains how the levels of nutrients, minerals, and dissolved gases in an estuary compare to those in surrounding bodies of water?
The levels vary depending on the ocean that connects to it.
The levels are lower in the estuary than in the river that connects to it.
The levels vary depending on the river and the ocean that connect to it.
The levels are higher in the estuary than in the ocean that connects to it.
Many waste lagoons from pig farms are found along the Neuse River. Which may happen if those lagoons are flooded and spill into the local water supply?
Water upstream may be polluted.
Water downstream may be polluted.
Only water in the immediate area may be affected.
The populations of fish and plants in the river would increase.
Which is an action people can take to protect the water supply?
Turn off faucets while brushing teeth.
Continue to run water while washing dishes.
Pour cooking oil down kitchen drains after cooking.
Water outside plants during the middle of the day.
Which best describe how the total amount of water present in the hydrosphere varies over time?
The total amount of water in the hydrosphere decrease over time due to the process of evaporation.
The total amount of water in the hydrosphere increase over time due to the process of precipitation.
The total amount of water in the hydrosphere remains the same over time, but changes form due to the water cycle.
The total amount of water in the hydrosphere both decreases and increases over time due to competing processes such as evaporation and precipitation.
Which is the most likely effect of too much nitrogen and phosphorous flowing into a like?
algal bloom
greater salinity
decreased turbidity
lower temperature
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 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 lower concentration.
Where is most of Earth's available freshwater stored?
underground
the atmosphere
lakes and rivers
ice caps and glaciers
The overall health of a body of water can be most accurately determined by studying which property of the water?
volume of water
surface area of the water
types of sediment found in the water
amount of dissolved oxygen in the water
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
The table above contains water quality data collected from four different sample sites in a North Carolina river basin. Which sample site is least likely to be a healthy aquatic habitat?
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Site 4
Which characteristics must be true of an aquifer?
The rock must be permeable and contain few pores.
The rock must be permeable and contain many pores.
The rock must be impermeable and contain few pores.
The rock must be impermeable and contain many pores.
