The World Ocean Test #2

Approximately what percentage of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the surface of the Earth? A. 4% B. 31% C. 47% D. 80% E. 100%

47%

The Tropic of Capricorn is located at: A) 0° longitude B) 23.5°N latitude C) 23.5°S latitude D) 30°N latitude E) 60°S latitude

23.5°S latitude

The Tropic of Capricorn is located at: A) 0° longitude B) 23.5°N latitude C) 23.5°S latitude D) 30°N latitude E) 60°S latitude.

23.5°S latitude

The westerlies lie between which latitudes? A. 0 degrees and 30N only B. 30 degrees and 60N only C. 30 degrees and 60N and S D. 30 degrees and 60S only E. 0 degrees and 30S only

30 degrees and 60 N and S

On December 15th, which of the following locations will receive the highest value of solar radiation? A. 0 B. 30N C. 30S D. 60N E. 60S

30S

The average salinity of seawater is __________ 0/00. A. 22 B. 44 C. 35 D. 18 E. 57

35

The average salinity of the oceans is about ______ parts per thousand (‰). A. 30 B. 35 C. 37 D. 40 E. 45

35

If the salinity of ocean water is 36%, there are ______g of salt left from evaporating 1kg of seawater

36

In the southern hemisphere, the direction of Ekman transport is: A) at a 45º angle from the wind direction B) 90 to the left of the wind direction C) to the east of the wind direction D) to the left of the wind direction E) to the right of the wind direction

90 to the left of the wind direction

Over As you go deeper into the water column:. A. pressure increases B. temperature decreases C. salinity increases D. density increases E. All of the above

All if the above

A rapid change in temperature with depth is called a A. halocline B. thermocline C. photic level D. midwater current E. pycnocline

Thermocline

The major ionic constituents of sea salt are normally found to A. have a constant ratio of each constituent to each other B. behave as conservative materials C. have the same ratio to each other even when diluted by rainwater D. All of these are correct E. None of these are correct.

All are correct

The rate at which the oceans absorb carbon dioxide is controlled by A. temperature, salinity and pressure B. pH C. mixing and circulation processes D. All are correct

All are correct

Compared to an eastern boundary current in a gyre, which of the following statements is true for a western boundary current? A) deeper current B) increased current velocity C) intensification in subtropical latitudes D) narrower current E) All of the above statements are true of western boundary currents

All of the above

Sources of the oceans' salts are believed to include A. Earth's crust B. Earth's early atmosphere C. volcanic eruptions D. Earth's crust and Earth's early atmosphere E. All of the above

All of the above

Air becomes less dense and rises when A. the air warms B. the water vapor content increases C. atmospheric pressure decreases D. All of these are correct E. None of these are correct.

All of these are correct

Clouds ___________ radiation A. absorb shortwave B. reflect shortwave C. intercept longwave D. radiate longwave E. All of these are correct

All of these are correct

The coldest, deepest, densest water in the oceans A. North Atlantic Deep Water B. Antarctic Bottom Water C. Antarctic Intermediate Water D. Mediterranean Water E. None of these are correct

Antarctic bottom water

The effect of ozone destruction is most severe A. at polar latitudes B. at temperate latitudes C. at equatorial latitudes D. in terrestrial desert areas E. All of these are equally affected.

At polar latitudes

Sources of oxygen in the open sea include A. the atmosphere B. photosynthesis C. respiration and decay D. the atmosphere and photosynthesis E. photosynthesis and respiration and decay.

Atmosphere & Photosynthesis

Winds blowing from the north 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 E) travel in a straight line.

Be deflected toward the east

The doldrums are found A. around the poles B. at 30N and S C. between the trade winds and the westerlies D. between the northeast trade winds and the southeast trade winds E. at 60N and S

Between the northeast trade winds and the southeast trade winds

Which of the following is a western boundary current? A) Benguela Current B) Brazil Current C) Canary Current D) California Current E) Peru Current

Brazil Current

When a meander from the Gulf Stream pinches off and isolates a body of water within the center of the North Atlantic gyre, the body of water is called a: A) cold core ring B) cyclonic circulation C) geostrophic circulation D) Langmuir cell E) warm core ring.

Cold core ring

The most abundant gas dissolved in seawater is _______. A. nitrogen B. carbon dioxide C. oxygen D. argon E. hydrogen

Carbon Dioxide

The pH of seawater is regulated by A. carbon dioxide B. oxygen C. temperature D. pressure.

Carbon Dioxide

Ozone destruction appears to be related to increasing levels of _________ in the atmosphere A. carbon dioxide B. chlorine C. sulfur D. water vapor E. dimethyl sulfide

Chlorine

Which of the following ions has the highest concentration in seawater? A. Na+ B. Cl- C. Mg2+ D. K+ E. Ca2+

Cl-

Warm core rings rotate: A) clockwise B) counterclockwise C) in the direction of the wind D) in the direction of the current E) All of the above

Clockwise

Winds are named for the direction from which they .......... A) Come B) travel towards

Come

Salinity may be measured by checking the water's A. viscosity B. temperature C. conductivity D. pressure E. surface tension

Conductivity

Which process is most important in driving the oceans' vertical circulation? A. conduction B. convection C. condensation D. evaporation E. radiation

Convection

High pressure zone is where air pressure is higher than in surrounding areas because the air A) warmer or has higher moisture content B) cooler or has higher moisture content C) cooler or has lower moisture content D) warmer or has lower moisture content E) All of the above

Cooler or has lower moisture content

The 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 E) Saffir-Simpson scale.

Coriolis effect

Cold core rings rotate......: A) clockwise B) counterclockwise C) in the direction of the wind D) in the direction of the current E) All of the above

Counterclockwise

The location where water flows uninterrupted between the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Indian Oceans is: A) in the Arctic Ocean B) in the Southern Ocean C) near Alaska D) near the equator E) This does not occur

In the Southern Ocean

Compared to a western boundary current, which of the following statements is true for an eastern boundary current? A) Eastern boundary currents are broad and deep B) Eastern boundary currents are broad and slow C) Eastern boundary currents are deep and swift D) Eastern boundary currents are narrow and deep E) Eastern boundary currents are shallow and swift.

Eastern boundary currents are broad and slow

Increasing the salinity of water ____________ its freezing point. A. decreases B. increases C. does not affect

Decreases

Thermohaline circulation is driven by changes in A. viscosity B. surface tension C. convection D. pressure E. density

Density

Thermohaline circulation is driven by: A) density B) gravity C) latitude D) temperature E) wind.

Density

The residence time of an ion in the oceans may be determined by A. multiplying the input rate by the output rate B. multiplying the total amount of the ion by either input or output rate C. dividing the total amount of the ion by either input or output rate D. dividing ionic concentration by input or output rate E. multiplying ionic concentration by total amount of the ion.

Dividing the total amount of the ion by either input or output rate

At low latitudes the salinity increases at the surface due to A. ice formation B. ice melt C. evaporation D. precipitation E. river runoff

Evaporation

Which of the following does not decrease the salinity of ocean water? A. evaporation B. melting sea ice C. inflow from rivers D. precipitation E. all of the above

Evaporation

Thermohaline circulation is A) generated by differences in salinity and temperature B) generated by differences in salinity and pressure C) the Coriolis effect D) generated by differences in salinity and pressure E) generated by the wind.

Generated by differences in salinity and temperature

Which of the following is not an eastern boundary current? A) California Current B) Canary Current C) Gulf Stream D) Peru Current E) W. Australian Current

Gulf Stream

Zones of rapid salinity change with depth are called _______. A. Salt domes B. Isotherms C. Pycnoclines D. Haloclines E. Thermoclines

Haloclines

Seawater taken from an area with a large, growing plant population has a A. low CO2 and high nutrient content B. low O2 and low nutrient content C. high O2 and low nutrient content D. high O2 and high CO2 content E. None of these are correct.

High O2 and low nutrient content

Which property of water causes coastal communities to have only moderate differences in daily highs and lows when compared to inland communities. A. high heat capacity B. high salinity C. high viscosity D. low heat capacity E. low viscosity

High heat capacity

Thermocline is NOT found in A. Mid latitudes B. Low Latitudes C. High Latitudes D. A and C E. B and C

High latitudes

Earth's surface winds are caused by air moving from a region of ______ to a region of ________. A. low pressure; high pressure B. surface convergence; surface divergence C. high pressure; low pressure D. low elevation; high elevation E. high elevation; low elevation

High pressure; Low pressure

At high latitudes the salinity decreases at the surface due to A. ice formation B. ice melt C. evaporation D. precipitation E. river runoff

Ice melt

The doldrums refer to the same region as the: A) intertropical convergence zone B) jet stream C) subtropical jet stream D) subtropics E) trade winds.

Intertropical Convergence Zone

The low-pressure area near the equator is known as the A. Intertropical Convergence Zone B. horse latitudes C. polar easterlies D. westerlies E. trade winds.

Intertropical Convergence Zone

Which ion has the shortest residence time in the oceans? A. chloride B. sodium C. potassium D. sulfate E. iron

Iron

Identify the mismatched pair. A) Agulhas Current, West Australia Current B) Brazil Current , Benguela Current C) Canary Current, Gulf Stream D) Kuroshio Current, California Current E) Labrador Current, Humboldt Current

Kuroshio Current, California Current

Surface ocean circulation is 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

Latitude; differences in salinity and land

Dry air is .................than moist air: A) less dense B) more dense C) saltier D) deeper E) stronger

Less Dense

Deep ocean water generally has high amounts of: A) dissolved organic matter B) nutrients only C) oxygen only D) nutrients and oxygen E) suspended solids

Nutrients and oxygen

Seasonal thermocline is found in A. Mid latitudes B. Low Latitudes C. High Latitudes D. A and C E. B and C

Low latitudes

Hurricanes derive their energy from _______ pressure zones in the ______ latitudes A. high; tropical B. low; tropical C. high; mid D. low; mid E. None of these are correct.

Low; tropical

Permanent thermocline is found in A. Mid latitudes B. Low Latitudes C. High Latitudes D. A and C E. B and C

Mid latitudes

Cold air is ................than warm air: A) more dense B) less dense C) saltier D) deeper E) stronger

More dense

The dominant elements dissolved in seawater are _______. A. Na and Cl B. Mg and Hg C. Fe and Si D. Ca and Na E. O and C

Na and Cl

The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is A. argon B. oxygen C. carbon dioxide D. water vapor E. nitrogen

Nitrogen

The symbol '0/00' stands for _______. A. parts per hundred B. parts per thousand C. parts per ten thousand D. parts per hundred thousand E. parts per million

Parts per thousand

The concentration of carbon dioxide in surface water is low, whereas the concentration of oxygen is high because of the A. difference in solubility of the gases B. exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the ocean C. photosynthesis process D. respiration of plants and animals E. conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate

Photosynthesis

The geostrophic flow is due to the balance of A) pressure gradient and coriolis deflection B) gravity C) the Coriolis effect D) the pycnocline E) wind.

Pressure gradient and coriolis deflection

The geostrophic flow is due to the balance of A) pressure gradient and coriolis deflection B) gravity C) the Coriolis effect D) the pycnocline E) wind.

Pressure gradient and coriolis effect

As salinity of seawater increases, its: A. density decreases B. heat capacity decreases C. residence time increases D. residence time decreases E. residence time does not change

Residence time does not change

Which of these processes results in the transfer of the carbon from carbon dioxide to the deep sea? A. photosynthesis B. respiration C. decay D. photosynthesis and decay E. photosynthesis, respiration, and decay

Respiration

The coriolis effect deflects objects in the Northern Hemisphere to the _________ relative to their direction of motion A. east B. west C. north D. right E. left

Right

The large oceanic surface current gyres centered on about 30N A. rotate counterclockwise B. do not rotate C. have depressed surface elevations D. rotate clockwise E. alternate their direction of rotation with the seasons

Rotate clockwise

The Coriolis effect arises primarily from the A. curvature of Earth's surface B. rotation of Earth around its axis C. rotation of Earth around the sun D. effect of winds high in the atmosphere E. motion of the oceans in their basins.

Rotation of the earth around its axis

When water evaporates from the ocean surface: A. energy is transferred from the atmosphere to the remaining liquid B. sea surface temperature increases C. sea surface salinity increases D. the remaining water is cooled E. the remaining water is warmed

Sea surface salinity increases

Precipitation of evaporite minerals from seawater represents a/an _______. A. Halocline B. Sink C. Thermocline D. Source E. Reduction process

Sink

The wind band between the horse latitudes and the doldrums is called the ________ in the Southern Hemisphere A. westerlies B. northeast trade winds C. southeast trade winds D. polar easterlies E. seasonal monsoon

Southeast trade winds

If the density of the water increases with depth, the water column is A. Stagnant B. unstable C. stable D. neutral E. well mixed

Stable

The greatest concentration of ozone is in the A. thermosphere B. mesosphere C. lithosphere D. troposphere E. stratosphere

Stratosphere

A pycnocline is created by strong vertical gradients in _______. A. light penetration B. water circulation C. dissolved material D. temperature or salinity E. organisms

Temperature or salinity

Geostrophic circulation is within a gyre driven by: A) density B) gravity C) temperature D) the balance between Coriolis and pressure gradient E) wind.

The balance between Coriolis and pressure gradient

Which reservoir stores the largest amount of CO2? A. the atmosphere B. Earth's crust C. the oceans D. the terrestrial system E. CO2 is stored equally in these four reservoirs.

The oceans

A/an __________ is an area where the temperature changes rapidly with depth. A. Isotherm B. Pycnocline C. Thermocline D. Halocline E. Isobar

Thermocline

In the southern hemisphere, the direction of Ekman transport is A) at a 45º angle from the wind direction B) 900 to the left of the wind direction C) to the east of the wind direction D) to the left of the wind direction E) to the right of the wind direction.

To the left of the wind direction

As a result of the Coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, winds are deflected: A) at a 45° angle form the original direction B) at a 90° angle from the original direction C) to the east of the original direction D) to the left of the original direction E) to the right of the original direction

To the right of the original direction

As a result of the Coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, winds are deflected: A) at a 45° angle form the original direction B) at a 90° angle from the original direction C) to the east of the original direction D) to the left of the original direction E) to the right of the original direction.

To the right of the original direction

Wind belts that blow from east to west over most of the areas between 30º north and 30º south are called A. westerlies B. polar easterlies C. trade winds D. horse latitudes E. doldrums

Trade winds

Ocean currents are named for the direction from which they .......... A) come B) travel towards

Travel towards

Which latitudinal area tends to have the highest average surface salinity? A. polar areas (80o to 90o) B. equatorial areas (0o-10o) C. tropics (25o-30o) D. midlatitudes (60o) E. none of the above

Tropics (25o-30o)

Atmospheric pressure is be greatest in the A. thermosphere B. mesosphere C. stratosphere D. troposphere E. atmosphere.

Troposphere

Surface waters are pushed away from land and replaced by nutrient-rich bottom water through: A) convergence B) downwelling C) land breezes. D) sea breezes E) upwelling

Upwelling

Low pressure zone is where air density is lower than in surrounding areas because the air is A)warmer or has higher moisture content B) colder or has higher moisture content C) colder or has lower moisture content D) warmer or has lower moisture content E) All of the above

Warmer or has lower moisture content

The Ekman spiral is driven by: A) density differences in the water column B) gravity C) the Coriolis effect D) the pycnocline E) wind and Coriolis effect

Wind and Coriolis effect

The Ekman spiral is driven by: A) density differences in the water column B) gravity C) the Coriolis effect D) the pycnocline E) wind and Coriolis effect

Wind and coriolis effect