ES 144 Oceanography exams
18) A cold air mass moving into an area occupied by relatively warm air is called a/an ________. A) cold front B) high pressure system C) low pressure system D) warm front
A) cold front
31) Which of the following is not an eastern boundary current? A) California Current B) Canary Current C) Gulf Stream D) Peru Current
C) Gulf Stream
56) Respiration consumes CO2 and nutrients. A) True B) False, consumes O2 C) False, consumes O2 and CO2 D) False, consumes O2 and remineralizes nutrients
D) False, consumes O2 and remineralizes nutrients
54) A tsunami is considered to be a deep-water wave. A) True B) False, capillary wave. C) False, reflected wave D) False, shallow water wave
D) False, shallow water wave
32) The fetch refers to: A) a method of shoreline erosion control. B) a type of wave-cut platform. C) the circular pattern made by water particles when a wave passes. D) the distance between the trough of a wave and the still water level. E) the distance over which the wind blows without interruption.
E) the distance over which the wind blows without interruption.
22) Epifauna lives: a. in the sediment b. in the ocean c. on the surface of the sediment d. on particles drifting in the water
c. on the surface of the sediment
36) Put the following areas of the Ocean in order from shallowest to deepest: a. Abyssopelagic, Bathypelagic, Mesopelagic, Epipelagic b. Mesopelagic, Epipelagic, Bathypelagic, Abyssopelagic c. Epipelagic, Mesopelagic, Bathypelagic, Abyssopelagic d. Epipelagic, Bathypelagic, Mesopelagic, Abyssopelagic
d. Epipelagic, Bathypelagic, Mesopelagic, Abyssopelagic
31) Which of the following is the smallest source of water on earth? A) Atmospheric water vapor B) Groundwater and soil moisture C) Ice caps, glaciers, and snow D) Streams and lakes
A) Atmospheric water vapor
22) The apparent deflection of air masses to the right or left (depending on latitude) as they move from one latitude to another is called the ________. A) Coriolis effect B) Cyclonic effect C) Ekman spiral D) Hadley cell
A) Coriolis effect
10) Which of the following parts of Polynesia was populated last? A) Easter Island B) Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa C) Marquesas D) Hawaiian Islands
A) Easter Island
11) Which of the following Vikings is credited with discovering Greenland? A) Erik Thorvaldson B) Bjarni Herjolfsson C) Leif Eriksson D) Thor Heyerdahl
A) Erik Thorvaldson
39) Pick the correct order of explorers from earliest to most recent: A) Polynesians, Vikings, Challenger Expedition B) Vikings, Challenger Expedition, Polynesians C) Polynesians, Kon Tiki, Vikings D) none of the above
A) Polynesians, Vikings, Challenger Expedition
36) Warm core rings: A) Rotate clockwise B) Rotate counter-clockwise C) From on the ocean side of the current D) none of the above
A) Rotate clockwise
2) How did the Moon form? A) The Moon formed due to the impact of a Mars-sized body with the Earth. B) The Moon was captured from a different planet by the gravitational pull of the Earth. C) The Moon erupted from the Earth leaving a scar at the Pacific Ocean D) The Moon formed at the same time as the Earth due to simultaneous accretion.
A) The Moon formed due to the impact of a Mars-sized body with the Earth.
29) Which of the following best defines heat capacity? A) The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree Celsius. B) The direct measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance's molecules. C) The energy needed to break the intermolecular bonds that hold molecules in place. D) The energy transfer from one body to another due to a difference in temperature.
A) The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
41) On average plates move 1-5 inches. A) True B) False, 20-50 cm C) False, they don't move D) False, 10-12 cm
A) True
42) Western boundary currents transport warm water from the tropics towards higher latitudes. A) True B) False, transports warm water along the equator. C) False, transports cold water to the poles. D) False, transports cold water to the equator.
A) True
44) The Coriolis effect describes how moving objects on Earth appear to follow curved paths due to Earth's rotation. A) True B) False, describes how stationary object appear to move with earth's rotation. C) False, describes how moving objects move in a chaotic, unknown way in the atmosphere. D) False, describes how wind moves water across the surface of the earth
A) True
47) The history of plate movement is recorded in the magnetic signature of ocean crust. A) True B) False, the magnetic field never changes. C) False, oceanic crust is too dense to move. D) False, the plates do not move.
A) True
48) Biogenous sediment can include teeth. A) True B) False, only small organism shells C) False, no animal parts are included
A) True
57) Wind speed, duration, and fetch are the three conditions necessary to produce a fully developed sea. A) True B) False, those factors don't affect wave height. C) False, those factors make tsunamis. D) False, you only need wind speed.
A) True
12) The nebular hypothesis suggests that ________. A) all bodies in the solar system formed from an enormous gas cloud B) Earth's moon is an asteroid captured by the Earth's gravity C) galaxies such as the Milky Way form independent of one another D) the Earth was formed by a cosmic explosion, a "big bang
A) all bodies in the solar system formed from an enormous gas cloud
24) Winds blowing out of the north toward the south in the southern hemisphere will appear to ________. A) be deflected toward the east B) be deflected toward the west C) circulate counterclockwise D) circulate clockwise
A) be deflected toward the east
47) The first wave that forms when the wind begins to blow across the ocean surface is a: A) capillary wave. B) seiche. C) tide. D) tsunami. E) wind waves
A) capillary wave.
20) When a meander from the Gulf Stream pinches off and isolates a body of water within the North Atlantic gyre, the body of water is called a ________. A) cold core ring B) cyclonic circulation C) geostrophic circulation D) warm core ring
A) cold core ring
32) Without greenhouse gases the average temperature of our planet would be: A) colder by ~18°C B) colder by ~100°C C) colder by ~25°C D) greenhouse gases don't alter temperature
A) colder by ~18°C
16) Which of these are NOT one of the three mechanisms we discussed for plate movement? A) conveyer suction B) slab suction C) ridge push D) conveyor belt
A) conveyer suction
21) Sediments with an extraterrestrial origin are called ________. A) cosmogenous B) biogenous C) hydrogenous D) lithogenous
A) cosmogenous
29) Thermohaline circulation is driven by: A) density differences. B) the Coriolis effect. C) latitude. D) longitude. E) wind
A) density differences.
32) All continents fit together with the least number of overlaps and gaps when the continents are matched along ________. A) edges at around 2,000 meters depth B) current shorelines C) the edge of the continental shelf D) edges of the deep sea floor
A) edges at around 2,000 meters depth
34) Coral reefs that initially develop along the margin of an island or continent where environmental conditions are suitable are called ________. A) fringing reefs B) barrier reefs C) atolls D) patch reefs
A) fringing reefs
15) Earth is a layered sphere with the ________-density material found near the center of Earth and the ________- density material located near the surface. A) highest; lowest B) highest; highest C) lowest; lowest D) lowest; highest
A) highest; lowest
1) Lots of iron in the ocean "could" cause an ice age by: A) increasing the efficiency of the biological pump B) creating more food for whales C) releasing CO2 into the atmosphere D). stimulating phytoplankton respiration
A) increasing the efficiency of the biological pump
27) The doldrums refer to the same region as the ________. A) inter-tropical convergence zone B) jet stream C) subtropical jet stream D) subtropics
A) inter-tropical convergence zone
40) Hurricanes develop under: A) low pressure cells B) higher pressure cells C) cold water D) winter conditions
A) low pressure cells
4) Isostatic adjustments are the result of the buoyancy of Earth's lithosphere as it floats on the ________ below which is denser and plastic like. A) mantle B) hydrosphere C) outer core D) inner core
A) mantle
1) The Sun and the rest of the solar system formed about 5 billion years ago from a huge cloud of dust and gas called a ________. A) nebula B) solar system C) protoplanet D) quasar
A) nebula
18) The speed of a shallow-water wave is proportional to: A) water depth. B) wave frequency. C) wave height. D) wave period. E) wavelength.
A) water depth.
1) Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of ________. A) 0° B) 23.5° C) 180° D) 90°
B) 23.5°
30) Which of the following is the most abundant negatively charged component of seawater? A) Calcium B) Chloride C) Magnesium D) Sodium
B) Chloride
6) Which of the following is a biogenous sediment? A) Beach sand B) Diatom ooze C) Glacial deposits D) Clays
B) Diatom ooze
60) The efficiciency of trophic transfers in ecosystems is on average around 25%. A) True B) False, 10% C) False, 0.1% D) False, 2.5%
B) False, 10%
45) The boundary layer between the upper mantle and the crust is called the SOHO. A) True B) False, MOHO C) False, HOJO D) False, it remains nameless.
B) False, MOHO
42) Harry Hess first developed the idea of continental drift. A) True B) False, Wegener did C) False, everyone knew about continental drift forever D) False, Columbus did
B) False, Wegener did
44) Sediment on the ocean floor is most thick at mid-ocean ridges. A) True B) False, at the edges of continents C) False, sediment is not found in the oceans D) False, sediments are evenly distributed throughout the ocean
B) False, at the edges of continents
58) Thermohaline circulation is wind-driven. A) True B) False, it is density driven. C) False, it is driven by a van full of kittens. D) False, it is driven also by duration and fetch
B) False, it is density driven.
50. The inner core of Earth is liquid. A) True B) False, it is solid. C) False, it is neither a liquid nor a solid. D) False, it is made of blue cheese.
B) False, it is solid.
49) Our planet is the only planet with a magnetic field. A) True B) False, other planets have one too. C) False, all other planets have one too. D) False, we do not have a magnetic field.
B) False, other planets have one too.
41) Cool, dense air causes low pressure at the surface, whereas warm, less dense air causes high pressure. A) True B) False, the opposite (cool air causes high pressure) C) False, cool air causes low pressure at the top of the atmosphere D) False, temperature does not impact density
B) False, the opposite (cool air causes high pressure)
10) Which of the following contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3)? A) Diatoms B) Foraminiferans C) Glauconite D) Phosphorites
B) Foraminiferans
9) Which of the following is a western boundary current? A) Benguela Current B) Gulf Stream C) Canary Current D) California Current
B) Gulf Stream
13) Calcium carbonate is most likely to dissolve in water with which characteristics? A) Low carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures B) Lots of carbon dioxide and colder temperatures C) Lots of carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures D) Low pressure and warmer temperatures
B) Lots of carbon dioxide and colder temperatures
5) Which of the following statements is true of surface ocean currents? A) Surface currents concentrate warm water in the center of the gyre at mid latitudes. B) Surface currents form circular patterns in the major ocean basins called "gyres." C) Surface currents occur within and below the pycnocline. D) Surface currents always transport cold water toward the poles.
B) Surface currents form circular patterns in the major ocean basins called "gyres."
7) Compared to western boundary currents, eastern boundary currents are ________. A) broad and deep B) broad and slow C) deep and swift D) narrow and deep
B) broad and slow
21) The amount of energy that is necessary to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius is the definition of ________. A) boiling point elevation B) calorie C) latent heat of condensation D) latent heat of evaporation
B) calorie
42) Deep ocean currents are driven primarily by ________ and modified by ________. A) density differences; the Coriolis effect and land B) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature C) latitude; differences in salinity and land D) wind; the Coriolis effect and land E) wind; gravity and density
B) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature
34) All of the following are lithogenous sediments except: A) beach sand B) diatom ooze C) glacial deposits
B) diatom ooze
6) The separation of the Earth into layers while it was molten was the result of the ________. A) decrease in temperature downward toward the core B) differing densities of the elements that make up the Earth C) gravitational force created by the rotating Earth D) initial collection of materials and their position in Earth
B) differing densities of the elements that make up the Earth
19) Deep-water circulation brings dense, cold, oxygen-rich water from the surface to the deep ocean. Why does it have high oxygen concentrations? A) greater rates of photosynthesis in deep water. B) greater dissolution of oxygen in colder water than warmer water. C) increases in pH with depth. D) decreases in pH with depth. E) greater volcanic out-gassing at the ocean surface.
B) greater dissolution of oxygen in colder water than warmer water.
The seafloor acts a geological "tape recorder" recording: A) the latest hits B) magnetic patterns in the crust C) fossils from the beginning of life on earth D) none of the above
B) magnetic patterns in the crust
44) Celerity is more correct than wave speed because there is no __________ in motion. A) energy B) mass C) fish D) change E) none of the above
B) mass
7) Waves that are breaking along the shore and are forming a curling crest over an air pocket are called: A) gravity waves. B) plunging breakers. C) spilling breakers. D) surf. E) swells.
B) plunging breakers.
39) Incongruent weathering causes: A) release of dissolved ions B) release of dissolved ions and formation of clay minerals C) formation of clay minerals only D) none of the above because it's a form of physical weathering.
B) release of dissolved ions and formation of clay minerals
12) Which does not impact wave height: A) wind speed B) rubber duck position C) duration D) fetch E) None of the Above
B) rubber duck position
18) The covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a water molecule form as a result of the ________. A) polarity of water molecules B) sharing of electrons between the atoms C) surface tension of water D) transfer of electrons between the atoms
B) sharing of electrons between the atoms
16) A wave will begin to break when: A) distance from shore < wavelength. B) steepness = 1/7. C) water depth = wave height. D) water depth = wavelength/20. E) wavelength < wave height.
B) steepness = 1/7.
19) Deep ocean trenches are associated with ________. A) rift valleys B) subduction zones C) submarine canyons D) transform faults
B) subduction zones
28) Volcanoes on the seafloor that are flat-topped because of wave erosion are called ________. A) hotspots B) tablemounts C) seamounts D) abyssal hills
B) tablemounts
40) The sea floor is only: A) 180,000 years old B) 180 billion years old C) 180 million years old D) 35 years old
C) 180 million years old
38) The Polynesians began exploring the oceans approximately __________ ago: A) 1000 B) 3000 C) 30,000 D) 300,000
C) 30,000
43) The large atmospheric circulation cells that occur between the equator and 30° latitude in each hemisphere are called Ferrel cells. A) True B) False, Polar cells. C) False, Hadley cells. D) False, ITCZ cells.
C) False, Hadley cells.
46) Sediments from land arrive in the ocean only through transport by water. A) True B) False, also by wind. C) False, also by wind, ice, and gravity. D) False, only by wind.
C) False, also by wind, ice, and gravity.
55) The bottom of the disphotic zone is usually found at 2000 m or where there is 10% of surface light left. A) True B) False, euphotic zone C) False, euphotic zone, 100 m, 1% D) False, 100 m, 0.1%
C) False, euphotic zone, 100 m, 1%
45) Physical weathering decreases surface area. A) True B) False, has no impact on surface area C) False, increases surface area
C) False, increases surface area
46) Increased pressure does not impact melting point. A) True B) False, it lowers the melting point. C) False, is raises the melting point. D) False, it can raise or lower the melting point depending on location within the earth.
C) False, is raises the melting point.
59) Productivity in the polar ocean is nutrient and light limited. A) True B) False, nutrient limited. C) False, light limited. D) False, light and O2 limited.
C) False, light limited.
49) The most dangerous impact of a hurricane is always caused by wind. A) True B) False, typically more damage is caused by rain C) False, typically more damage is caused by storm surge D) False, typically more damage is caused by lightening
C) False, typically more damage is caused by storm surge
37) The heavy elements (e.g., C, N, P, etc.) on earth came from: A) Big Bang Nucleosynthesis B) Planet Nebular Causation Transduction C) Stellar Nucleosynthesis D) Lightening
C) Stellar Nucleosynthesis
23) Latent heat is the quantity of heat gained or lost as a substance undergoes a ________. A) change in chemical composition B) change in molecular weight C) change in state D) change in atomic mass
C) change in state
38) Warming of the Arctic ocean and loss of the Arctic ice sheet _________ the Earth's albedo. A) causes no change B) increases C) decreases D) ice sheet doesn't melt
C) decreases
48) The height of a wave depends upon: A) fetch. B) fetch and wind speed. C) fetch, wind duration, and wind speed. D) wind duration. E) wind duration and wind speed.
C) fetch, wind duration, and wind speed.
12) The intensity of solar radiation received at lower latitudes (near the equator) compared to higher latitudes (near the poles) is ________. A) the same B) lower C) greater
C) greater
25) In comparison to most other liquids, the heat capacity of liquid water is ________. A) a function of salinity B) about the same as other liquids C) higher than other liquids D) lower than other liquids
C) higher than other liquids
14. The Azoics Theory said there was no life: A) on earth B) in the oceans C) in the deep oceans (>550 m) D) in cold water
C) in the deep oceans (>550 m)
20) Many of the unique properties of water are attributed to the fact that water ________. A) contains ionic bonds B) exists in three states of matter on Earth's surface C) is a polar molecule D) is a universal solvent
C) is a polar molecule
37) Calcium carbonate ooze builds up on the: A) abyssal plain B) never builds up C) mid-ocean ridges D) under volcanoes
C) mid-ocean ridges
23) Sediments found on continental margins are called ________. A) continental B) estuarine C) neritic D) pelagic
C) neritic
4) Air warmed by the land that rises and is replaced by cooler air from the ocean may produce a ________. A) land breeze B) tropical cyclone C) sea breeze D) cold front
C) sea breeze
37) Constructive interference results in larger waves whereas destructive interference produces ________. A) capillary waves B) rouge waves C) smaller waves D) swells E) tsunamis
C) smaller waves
4) If a surfer wishes to have a really long ride, what type of wave should he or she look for? A) doesn't matter all waves are good waves B) plunging breakers C) spilling breakers D) surf E) swells
C) spilling breakers
19) The two factors that are most important in determining the density of air are ________. A) temperature and salinity B) nitrogen and water vapor content C) temperature and water vapor content D) temperature and ozone
C) temperature and water vapor content
11) The Ekman spiral is caused by ________. A) density differences in the water column B) the wind and gravity C) the wind and the Coriolis effect D) pressure gradients
C) the wind and the Coriolis effect
17) Surface waters are pushed away from land and replaced by nutrient-rich deep water through ________. A) convergence B) downwelling C) upwelling D) land breezes
C) upwelling
7) Current scientific knowledge indicates that the most likely origin of most of Earth's oceans was due to ________. A) comets from outer space B) release of liquid water from the core C) water vapor released from volcanic outgassing and comets D) aliens emptying their swimming pools
C) water vapor released from volcanic outgassing and comets
49) The Beaufort Wind Scale and State of the Sea characterizes the: A) most windiest locations on earth. B) most windiest locations on the ocean. C) wind speed and corresponding sea surface response. D) wave heights related to tsunamis. E) none of the above.
C) wind speed and corresponding sea surface response.
23) A deep-water wave occurs when the water depth is equal to at least: A) the fetch. B) wave height. C) wavelength. D) 1/2 of the wavelength. E) 1/20 of the wavelength.
D) 1/2 of the wavelength.
33) Wind drives approximately _____% of ocean currents: A) 90% B) 30% C) 100% D) 10%
D) 10%
29) Only ________% of the wind's energy is transferred to the ocean surface. A) 20 B) 90 C) 10 D) 2
D) 2
28) Compared to an eastern boundary current, which of the following statements is true for a western boundary current? A) deeper and narrower current B) increased current velocity C) warmer water D) All of the above statements are true of western boundary currents.
D) All of the above statements are true of western boundary currents
33) The elements needed for life are: A) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Sulfur B) Carbon, Helium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Silicon C) Carbon, Helium, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur D) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur
D) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur
8) Which of the following statements regarding continental and oceanic crust is TRUE? A) Continental crust and oceanic crust have equivalent densities. B) Continental crust is thicker and denser than oceanic crust. C) Continental crust is thinner and denser than oceanic crust. D) Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.
D) Continental crust is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.
35). Below who is NOT known for ocean exploration? A) James Cook B) Zheng He C) Captain Charles Wyville Thomson D) Edward Forbes
D) Edward Forbes
27) Of all the following processes which one increases the salinity of water? A) Rain B) Snow C) Glaciers melting D) Evaporation
D) Evaporation
47) Coccolithophore shells are made of silica. A) True B) False, bicarbonate C) False, silica and calcium carbonate D) False, calcium carbonate
D) False, calcium carbonate
43) The East Pacific Rise is an example of a slow spreading center. A) True B) False, it is not a spreading center C) False, it is an example of an ultra slow spreading center D) False, it is an example of a fast spreading center.
D) False, it is an example of a fast spreading center.
50) Wind driven ocean circulation moves water vertically and impacts the water column to 5 km depth. A) True B) False, to 1 km depth C) False, moves water horizontally D) False, moves water horizontally and impacts to 1 km depth
D) False, moves water horizontally and impacts to 1 km depth
50) Examine the five words and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern. A) Crest B) Height C) Length D) Period E) Trough
D) Period
25) Which of the following contains silica (SiO2)? A) Coccolithophores B) Corals C) Foraminiferans D) Radiolarians
D) Radiolarians
15) The strength of a hurricane is ranked from 1 to 5 on the ________. A) Coriolis Scale B) Fujita Scale C) Moh's Scale D) Saffir-Simpson Scale
D) Saffir-Simpson Scale
16) Which of the following is a biogenous sediment? A) Evaporites B) Halites C) Manganese nodule D) Stromatolites
D) Stromatolites
26) Which of the following statements about the movement of Earth's atmosphere is correct? A) A column of cool, dense air produces low pressure at the Earth's surface. B) A column of warm, less dense air produces high pressure at the Earth's surface. C) Warm air is denser than cool air so it tends to sink toward the Earth's surface. D) The movement of air within the atmospheric convection cells generates the wind belts.
D) The movement of air within the atmospheric convection cells generates the wind belts.
9) Radioactive materials can sometimes be used to determine the ________. A) origin of rocks B) chemical composition of rocks C) formation method D) ages of rocks
D) ages of rocks
13) Convergent boundaries occur between: A) ocean and continent B) ocean and ocean C) continent and continent D) all of the above
D) all of the above
17) The first navigators used the following for navigation: A) swells B) stick charts C) reflection of islands in the clouds D) all of the above
D) all of the above
24) Deep water circulation is important because it: A) transports heat B) provides dissolved oxygen to the deep ocean C) transports CO2 to the deep ocean for storage D) all of the above E) none of the above
D) all of the above
35) Which of the following are controlling factors of the distribution of biogenous sediments? A) productivity B) destruction (dissolution) C) dilution D) all of the above
D) all of the above
41) The depth at which the cellular respiration rate equals the photosynthetic rate is referred to as the ________ for photosynthesis. A) carbonate depth B) epipelagic depth C) euphotic zone D) compensation depth E) productive zone
D) compensation depth
5) The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of a ________. A) convergent plate boundary (continent-continent) B) convergent plate boundary (continent-oceanic) C) convergent plate boundary (oceanic-oceanic) D) divergent plate boundary
D) divergent plate boundary
28) As a wave begins to feel bottom near a shoreline, its wave height: A) decreases and its steepness decreases. B) decreases and its wavelength increases. C) increases and its frequency decreases. D) increases and its wavelength decreases E) increases and its wavelength remains the same.
D) increases and its wavelength decreases
3) Sediments derived from preexisting rocks on land are called ________. A) cosmogenous B) biogenous C) hydrogenous D) lithogenous
D) lithogenous
24) The Hawaiian Islands are located where the Pacific plate is ________. A) being subducted beneath the North American plate B) being subducted beneath Japan C) being thrust over the North American plate D) moving over a hot spot or mantle plume
D) moving over a hot spot or mantle plume
45) The time between two successive waves is called the: A) crest. B) frequency. C) height. D) period. E) trough.
D) period.
22) The states of matter in which water exists is primarily determined by ________. A) density B) salinity C) chlorinity D) temperature
D) temperature
3) Frederick Vine and Drummond Matthews determined that new ocean floor was being produced at ocean ridges by examining ________. A) apparent polar wandering B) fossils in marine sediments C) glacial debris at various locations D) the magnetic pattern of rocks on the seafloor
D) the magnetic pattern of rocks on the seafloor
26) The Principle of Constant Proportions states that ________. A) ocean salinity varies as a function of season B) ocean salinity varies with geographical location C) the percentage of chloride varies with geographical location D) the relative concentrations of the major ions in seawater does not change
D) the relative concentrations of the major ions in seawater does not change
14) In the southern hemisphere, the direction of Ekman transport is always ________. A) at a 45° angle from the wind direction B) parallel to the wind direction C) to the east of the wind direction D) to the left of the wind direction
D) to the left of the wind direction
30) The wind belt(s) with strong, reliable, generally easterly winds is (are) the: A) doldrums B) horse latitudes. C) polar easterlies. D) trade winds. E) westerlies.
D) trade winds.
The circular motion of water molecules extends to a depth that is equal to: A) wave height/wavelength. B) wave height/wave period. C) wavelength/wave height. D) wavelength/2. E) wavelength/20.
D) wavelength/2.
2) Surface ocean currents are driven primarily by ________ and modified by ________. A) density differences; the Coriolis effect and land B) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature C) latitude; differences in salinity and land D) wind; the Coriolis effect and land
D) wind; the Coriolis effect and land
38) Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern. A) Plunging breaker B) Spilling breaker C) Surf D) Surging breaker E) Swell
E) Swell
8) The two most abundant components of dry air are ________. A) oxygen and carbon dioxide B) oxygen and water vapor C) carbon dioxide and water vapor E) nitrogen and oxygen
E) nitrogen and oxygen
43) The nutrients that tend to limit photosynthesis in marine environments include ________. A) carbon dioxide B) nitrogen C) phosphorus D) carbon dioxide and nitrogen E) nitrogen and phosphorus
E) nitrogen and phosphorus
2) A tsunami may result from: A) a large deep-water wave. B) a storm surge. C) an intense storm. D) constructive wave interference. E) tectonic activity on the seafloor.
E) tectonic activity on the seafloor.
40) The ratio of wave height to wavelength is called the: A) frequency. B) period. C) wave height. D) wavelength. E) wave steepness.
E) wave steepness.
34) Wave speed is equal to: A) wave height divided by frequency. B) wave height divided by period. C) wavelength divided by fetch. D) wavelength divided by frequency. E) wavelength divided by period.
E) wavelength divided by period.
15) The Redfield Ratio is: a. 106C:16N:1P b. 106N:1C:1P c. 16C:16N:1P
a. 106C:16N:1P
In the United States semidiurnal tides commonly occur along the: a. Atlantic coast. b. Gulf of Alaska. c. Gulf of Mexico coast. d. Florida Keys.
a. Atlantic coast.
17) Which of these is a diurnal tide? a. One low tide/one high tide per day b. Two high tides/two low tides per day c. One high tide/two low tides per day d. Diurnal who?
a. One low tide/one high tide per day
53) The profile of the concentration of a conservative element does not vary with depth. a. True b. False, it is high in the surface waters but decreases with depth c. False, it is low in surface waters, high in mid-depth, and low in the deep ocean d. False, it is low in the surface waters and then high after 100 m
a. True
5) The HAB toxin that made the birds sick in California and motivated Hitchcock's movie The Birds is called: a. domoic acid b. saxitoxin c. brevetoxin d. mycrocystin
a. domoic acid
31) The largest tides occur: a. during a new moon b. during a quarter moon c. a and b d. neither
a. during a new moon
11) The relative productivity in the world's oceans from most productive to least productive is: a. polar waters, temperate waters, tropical waters. b. polar waters, tropical waters, temperate waters. c. temperate waters, polar waters, tropical waters. d. temperate waters, tropical waters, polar waters.
a. polar waters, temperate waters, tropical waters.
8) PAR is: a. People Acting Rowdy b. Photosynthetic Active Radiation c. Phytoplankton Activity Response d. Party At Randy's
b. Photosynthetic Active Radiation
13) What is the Greek meaning of phytoplankton? a. aimless worrier b. aimless wanderer c. wonder what is going on d. really small
b. aimless wanderer
6) In an ecosystem energy: a. is recycled b. flows in one direction c. is not important d. none of the above
b. flows in one direction
33) Productivity in tropical oceans is generally: a. light-limited. b. nutrient-limited. c. oxygen-limited. d. light and nutrient-limited.
b. nutrient-limited.
3) What's a simple definition of a tide? a. a big wave b. the rhythmic rise and fall of sea level c. a type of detergent d. none of the above
b. the rhythmic rise and fall of sea level
20) Phytoplankton account for what percent of the earth's biomass? a. 2.0% b. 0.4% c. 0.2% d. 0.04%
c. 0.2%
21) What is the length of a lunar day? a. 24 hours b. 12 hours 25 minutes c. 24 hours 50 minutes d. 12 hours
c. 24 hours 50 minutes
14) What percentage of global primary production is due to phytoplankton growth? a. 94% b. 74% c. 47% d. 14%
c. 47%
48) To calculate salinity multiply the concentration of magnesium by1.80655. a. True b. False, the concentration of sulfate. c. False, the concentration of chlorine. d. False, multiply by 8.1555
c. False, the concentration of chlorine.
51) As you move up a food chain/food web the number of organisms increases. a. True b. False, the number of organisms stays the same c. False, the number decreases d. False, where you are in the food chain/web has nothing to do with the number of organisms
c. False, the number decreases
9) The strength of gravitational attraction varies with _______. a. the tilt of the Earth's axis with respect to the sun b. latitude and longitude c. the masses of the interacting bodies and the distance separating them d. the composition of the interacting bodies
c. the masses of the interacting bodies and the distance separating them
30) How many domains of life are there? What are they? (choose the answer that fits best) a. two: prokaryote and eukaryote b. two: bacteria and archaea c. three: archaea, bacteria, eukaryote d. three: archaea, prokaryote, eukaryote
c. three: archaea, bacteria, eukaryote
39) The Solubility Pump refers to the sequestration of which of the following elements/compounds into the deep ocean? a. Nitrate b. Phosphorus c. Nitrous Oxide d. Carbon Dioxide
d. Carbon Dioxide
52) The biological pump describes how gases enter the ocean through the mixing of water. a. True b. False, how CO2 enters the ocean through mixing c. False, how gases enter the ocean through life processes (e.g., photosynthesis) d. False, how CO2 enters the ocean through life processes (e.g., photosynthesis)
d. False, how CO2 enters the ocean through life processes (e.g., photosynthesis)
10) Planktonic organisms that spend part of their life in planktonic form, and the rest of their life as either benthos or nekton are called: a. bacterioplankton. b. holoplankton. c. macroplankton. d. meroplankton
d. meroplankton
26) Which of the following word pairs correctly link a descriptor with the way in which the organism lives in the ocean? a. benthos—drift b. benthos—swim c. nekton—bottom-dwelling d. nekton—swim
d. nekton—swim
27) Spring tide occurs about: a. once per month. b. once per season. c. once per year. d. twice per month.
d. twice per month.
25) A neap tide has: a. moderately high tidal range. b. moderately low tidal range. c. no tidal range. d. very low tidal range.
d. very low tidal range.
