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Human Impact on Ocean Ecosystem

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 6mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is one way humans are trying to positively impact the ocean?

a)

Fishing

b)

Creating artificial reefs

c)

Harvesting oil and natural gas

d)

Transporting goods in ocean vessels

2.

Which of the following is NOT a source of pollution in the ocean?

a)

Nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers used on land.

b)

Oils found on city streets.

c)

Sand drifting along the bottom of the ocean floor.

d)

Emissions from gas-burning vehicles.

3.

How do oceans regulate the climate?

a)

Currents move water that heats or cools the atmosphere, around the world.

b)

Ocean waves create winds.

c)

Oceans prevent clouds from forming.

d)

Currents move the atmosphere from place to place.

4.

The largest source of pollution in the ocean comes from __________.

a)

Oil Spills

b)

Acid Rain

c)

Runoff

d)

Wind

5.

How are phytoplankton similar to small trees?

a)

Both are at the top of the food chain

b)

Both conduct photosynthesis

c)

Both grow in soil

d)

Both are about the same size

6.

The diagram below shows the relationship between some of the organisms in a marine food web. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY to happen if a large number of phytoplankton are killed from runoff entering the ocean?

a)

The number of porpoises would probably stay the same because porpoises are far removed from phytoplankton in the food web

b)

The number of zooplankton would probably increase because they wouldn’t have to compete with phytoplankton for food.

c)

The number of salmon would probably decrease because there would be less food available for zooplankton and herring.

d)

The Sun would probably not emit as much energy because there would not be as many phytoplankton in the ocean.

7.

Which organisms are the basis of a marine food web?

a)

Crabs

b)

Photoplankton

c)

Fish

d)

Zooplankton

8.

Which of the following is associated with dead zones in the ocean?

a)

A decrease in nitrogen levels.

b)

An increase in oxygen levels.

c)

An increase in the number of fish.

d)

Runoff from fertilizers.

9.
Salt water is an abundant resource but unusable for irrigation and drinking. As demands on freshwater sources increase, the use of desalination processes to remove salt from ocean water is increasing. A concern of desalinating water is the large amounts of recovered salts that are returned to the ocean. Which of the following describes the most likely impact of desalination on the surrounding ocean environment? 
a)
Methane gas would pollute the ocean environment as shoreline organisms begin to die and decay.
b)
Alteration in ocean salt levels would cause loss of species and unbalanced populations in marine food webs.
c)
Nonrenewable resources in the ocean environment would become depleted and upset the ecosystem's balance.
d)
Increased levels of salts and minerals in the ocean would result in overpopulation of marine bivalves due to strengthened shells
10.

This graph shows the sources of the nitrogen entering the Gulf of Mexico as pollution. What is one conclusion you can make based on the information in the graph?

a)

Nitrogen that comes from the atmosphere is more harmful than nitrogen that comes from crops.

b)

Most nitrogen pollution found in the Gulf of Mexico comes from farming crops.

c)

Corn and soybeans are the only crops associated with nitrogen pollution.

d)

Nitrogen is not a problem in the Gulf of Mexico.