Hydrosphere

Which best explains why estuaries are productive ecosystems? a. They have high saltwater content b. They have high levels of dissolved gases c. They receive nutrients from both rivers and the oceans d. They receive chemicals from commercial and industrial runoff.

c. They receive nutrients from both rivers and the oceans

Which of these is a freshwater reservoir? a. Gulf of Mexico b. Pacific Ocean c. Atlantic tidal basin d. Antarctic polar ice

d. Antarctic polar ice

How is SONAR used to map the ocean floor? a. Light waves are used to take pictures of the ocean floor. b. Various temperatures are measured to determine the depth of the ocean floor. c. Scuba divers take videos and photographs to document their trips to the ocean floor. d. Sound waves are emitted and bounced off the ocean floor to determine the distance from the receiver.

d. Sound waves are emitted and bounced off the ocean floor to determine the distance from the receiver.

What area of the ocean is most benefited by upwellings? a. the ocean floor b. the ocean trenches c. the continental shelf d. the surface of the ocean

d. the surface of the ocean

Which is an accurate prediction of the pH of a lake that receives large amounts of acid rain? a. 4-5 b. 6-7 c. 8-9 d. 10-11

a. 4-5

Which type of ocean water would contain more dissolved oxygen? a. Cold ocean water in polar regions b. Warm ocean water in tropical regions c. Temperate ocean water in subtropical regions d. Surface water at the equator

a. Cold ocean water in polar regions

Which best explains where the richest deposits of oil and natural gas can be located? a. Continental shelves b. Intertidal zone c. Deep Zone d. Coral Reef

a. Continental shelves

Which change indicates a decrease in the pH of a body of water? a. Large organisms begin to die. b. Dissolved oxygen levels increase. c. Aquatic plants increase in numbers. d. The water becomes turbid.

a. Large organisms begin to die.

Which best describes the base of the food web in the deep ocean habitat? a. Methane-consuming bacteria b. oxygen-consuming bacteria c. saline-consuming bacteria d. carbon dioxide-consuming bacteria

a. Methane-consuming bacteria

Why are large numbers of ocean animals found in areas where upwelling occurs? a. Oxygen is increased by the movement of water. b. Oxygen is decreased by the movement of water. c. Nutrients are increased by the movement of water. d. Nutrients are decreased by the movement of water.

a. Oxygen is increased by the movement of water.

Which best describes the source of oxygen in the ocean? a. Oxygen is produced by marine plants in the process of making food. b. Oxygen is produced through the exhalations of marine animals. c. Oxygen is produced through precipitation falling on the ocean. d. Oxygen is produced by nodules on the ocean floor.

a. Oxygen is produced by marine plants in the process of making food.

Which is able to give the most detailed information about the topography of a large area on the ocean floor? a. Sonar b. Submersibles c. Satellite Imagery d. Teams of Scuba Divers

a. Sonar

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? a. The flowing water keeps the river basin healthy b. People along the river need the water for recreational activities. c. It will prevent flooding along the river basin in case of heavy rainfalls. d. The extra water is needed for irrigation on the farms bordering the river.

a. The flowing water keeps the river basin healthy

Which best describes how the oceans are connected to the water reserves on Earth? a. evaporation and precipitation b. tides, waves, and erosion of the seashores

a. evaporation and precipitation

Which will most likely result if there is increased upwelling in a coastal area? a. more aquatic life b. less nutrients in the water c. higher water temperatures d. fewer nitrates

a. more aquatic life

Which dissolved gas is added to ocean water as a result of photosynthesis? a. oxygen b. nitrogen c. carbon dioxide d. hydrogen

a. oxygen

Which technological tool uses a sound echo to measure distance? a. sonar b. submarine c. ocean buoy d. robotic probe

a. sonar

Which are the two main sources of the dissolved oxygen in the ocean? a. surface air and ocean plants b. warm water vents and earth's core c. underwater volcanoes and earthquakes d. animal respiration and dead matter decomposition

a. surface air and ocean plants

How does burning fossil fuels on land impact CO2 levels in the ocean? a. If oceans absorb too much CO2 from the atmosphere, then the water increases in turbidity, harming marine life. b. As oceans absorb CO2 gases from the atmosphere, their dissolved oxygen levels decrease, harming marine life. c. Oceans absorb CO2 gases until levels become too high, then they can no longer be processed by the ocean and become harmful to marine life.

b. As oceans absorb CO2 gases from the atmosphere, their dissolved oxygen levels decrease, harming marine life.

Which best describes the relationship between salinity levels and the amount of dissolved gases in ocean water? a. As salinity increases, the amount of dissolved gases increases. b. As salinity increases, the amount of dissolved gases decreases. c. As salinity decreases, the amount of dissolved gases decreases. d. As salinity decreases, the amount of dissolved gases remains the same.

b. As salinity increases, the amount of dissolved gases decreases.

Which organism is at the base of a marine food web? a. Crab b. Phytoplankton c. Whale d. Zooplankton

b. Phytoplankton

Which would be the impact on the environment if there were no estuaries? a. There would be a drought b. There would be more pollutants in the oceans. c. There would be a decreased concentration of salt in the oceans. d. There would be less boating, fishing, and swimming in local rivers.

b. There would be more pollutants in the oceans.

Which most likely has the highest number of contaminants in the water? a. a water system with moderate turbidity b. a water system with high turbidity c. a water system with low turbidity d. a water system with no turbidity

b. a water system with high turbidity

Which is most likely indicated by the presence of many dead fish on a coastal shoreline? a. higher tides b. ocean pollution c. stronger currents d. heavy inland winds less

b. ocean pollution

Which dissolved gases are most needed by plants and animals living in the ocean? a. nitrogen and oxygen b. oxygen and carbon dioxide c. carbon dioxide and nitrogen d. carbon monoxide and nitrogen

b. oxygen and carbon dioxide

Which factor has the greatest effect on a community's stores of fresh water? a. the location of the nearest ocean b. the average annual rainfall c. the location of the nearest mountain d. the average winter temperature

b. the average annual rainfall

Organisms that live in an intertidal zone must be able to tolerate which changes to survive? a. Changes in temperature but not salinity. b. Changes in salinity but not temperature c. Changes in both salinity and temperature d. Changes in neither salinity or temperature

c. Changes in both salinity and temperature

Which characteristics of an estuary makes it a good nursery area for marine organisms? a. It is located at the mouth of a river. b. It has a mix of freshwater and saltwater. c. It has many areas to hide from predators. d. It has the ability to absorb water and prevent flooding.

c. It has many areas to hide from predators.

Why are many fishing boats found near ocean upwellings? a. There is less vegetation there. b. The water is less turbulent there. c. Many marine species gather there to eat the nutrients brought to the surface. d. Upwellings are found in more shallow waters, so boats do not need deep anchorage.

c. Many marine species gather there to eat the nutrients brought to the surface.

Which technique uses sound waves to measure the depth of the ocean floor? a. Global positioning system b. Radar c. Sonar d. Surface

c. Sonar

Which best describes the shallow water ocean zone? a. The long water column protects small organisms from being eaten by large predators. b. Cooler water temperatures cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen needed by organisms. c. Sunlight penetration increases algae growth and provides food for a variety of organisms. d. Hydrothermal vents provide heat and dissolved minerals needed by some organisms to survive.

c. Sunlight penetration increases algae growth and provides food for a variety of organisms.

Which best explains how estuaries support plant and animal life? a. The dry land removes pollutants. b. The water provides energy for growth. c. The habitat areas provide nutrients and shelter. d. The cold water remperatures decrease dissolved oxygen.

c. The habitat areas provide nutrients and shelter.

Which best explains why inhabitants of an estuary must adapt to frequent environmental changes? a. Estuaries receive little sunlight. b. The water temperature is constantly warm. c. The salinity of the water is constantly changing d. Low levels of oxygen are absorbed by the water.

c. The salinity of the water is constantly changing

Which describes the hydrosphere? a. all of Earth's organisms and the environments in which they live b. a layer of Earth's atmosphere made up primarily of concentrated ozone c. all of the water in Earth's oceans, lakes, seas, rivers, and glaciers, plus the water in the atmosphere

c. all of the water in Earth's oceans, lakes, seas, rivers, and glaciers, plus the water in the atmosphere

Which part of the ocean do the greatest number of organisms live? a. in the deep zone to escape predators b. near the shore to burrow c. close to the surface to be near the largest food source d. in the open ocean to regulate their bodies in cooler temperatures

c. close to the surface to be near the largest food source

Which contributes most in supporting life on the deep ocean floor? a. cold water temperatures b. extreme water pressure c. hydrothermal vents d. lack of predators

c. hydrothermal vents

Where would the safest and least polluted water most likely occur? a. aquifer b. large river c. mountaintop snow

c. mountaintop snow

Which best describes black lumps of manganese mined from the ocean floor? a. bioluminescence b. magma c. nodules d. nekton

c. nodules

Which area of deep ocean research provides the most economic benefit? a. hydropower b. new habitats c. oil resources d. sea-floor spreading

c. oil resources

A Which is most likely the source of water pollution? a. low concentration of phosphates and nitrates is found in water samples from a pond. b. lake turnover eutrophication c. runoff from agricultural fields d. runoff from permeable surfaces

c. runoff from agricultural fields

Which characteristic distinguishes an estuary from other bodies of water? a. plant life b. animal life c. salinity level d. dissolved oxygen

c. salinity level

A cargo ship in the open ocean spills thousand of cans of soda off the ship. Which marine ecosystem will primarily be disrupted by the spill? a. estuary b. coral reef c. surface zone d. hydrothermal vent

c. surface zone

Why does a cloudy river produce less plant life than a clear river? a. A cloudy river has few dissolved nutrients, while a clear river has many b. A cloudy river absorbs little heat, while a clear river absorbs much heat. c. A cloudy river blocks sunlight from reaching plants, while a clear river allows sunlight to be absorbed by plants. d. A cloudy river blocks sunlight from reaching plants, while a clear river allows sunlight to be absorbed by plants.

d. A cloudy river blocks sunlight from reaching plants, while a clear river allows sunlight to be absorbed by plants.

Why are upwellings in the ocean essential for some organisms to survive? a. Because many animals need low-tide conditions each day b. Because currents carry predators away from the surface c. Because warm water kills bacteria before it can harm plankton d. Because needed nutrients and dissolved gases are brought into new areas

d. Because needed nutrients and dissolved gases are brought into new areas

Which best describes a significant benefit estuaries have on the environment? a. Wildlife helps protect the land from erosion in estuaries. b. Fishing industries thrive in and around tropical estuaries. c. Pollution is moved from rivers to oceans through estuaries. d. Coastal wetlands provide safe and ideal conditions to support animal habitats.

d. Coastal wetlands provide safe and ideal conditions to support animal habitats.

Why is it important for people to understand how to properly dispose of wastes? a. Proper disposal of wastes will regulate Earth's climate. b. Proper disposal of wastes will eliminate the need for additional landfills. c. Improper disposal of wastes in a watershed affects the amount of water flowing downstream. d. Improper disposal of wastes in a watershed affects the organisms living in the water downstream.

d. Improper disposal of wastes in a watershed affects the organisms living in the water downstream.

How is satellite imagery beneficial when studying the hydrosphere? a. It allows scientists to sample the surface of the ocean floor. b. It allows scientists to explore the deepest parts of ocean water. c. It allows scientists to collect large amounts of bioindicator data. d. It allows scientists to obtain maximum coverage of the hydrosphere.

d. It allows scientists to obtain maximum coverage of the hydrosphere.

Which would most likely be discovered by researchers exploring the deep ocean with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)? a. New terrestrial species b. New phytoplankton species c. New photosynthetic species d. New chemosynthetic species

d. New chemosynthetic species

Which best describes an estuary? a. Nutrient-poor swamps and bogs of the Great Lakes b. Nutrient-poor Cape Fear River and Deep River basins c. Nutrient-rich tributaries and meanders of the Blue Ridge Mountains d. Nutrient-rich salt marshes and mangrove forests of the Florida Everglades

d. Nutrient-rich salt marshes and mangrove forests of the Florida Everglades

Most of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere is produced in the top six inches of the ocean. Which best explains this? a. Oxygen is produced as a by-product as fish breathe through their gills. b. Oxygen is produced by seawater, which evaporates into pure oxygen and hydrogen. c. Oxygen is produced by deepwater plants and is then moved to the surface of the ocean. d. Oxygen is produced by photosynthetic microorganisms that live near the surface of the ocean.

d. Oxygen is produced by photosynthetic microorganisms that live near the surface of the ocean.

Which best explains why there is a greater concentration of oxygen located near the earth's surface? a. Sunlight warms the ocean's temperature and simulates oxygen production near the surface. b. Plankton produced excess amounts of nutrients that remove oxygen levels from the atmosphere. c. Marine life gives off oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, which makes thte ocean water rich in oxygen. d. Plants, which release oxygen, live near the surface of the ocean, where they receive large amounts of sunlight.

d. Plants, which release oxygen, live near the surface of the ocean, where they receive large amounts of sunlight.

How does upwelling in the ocean affect algae populations in the area? a. The algae population grows slowly and forces marine life to move out to sea. b. The current produced by the upwelling forces the aglae population to relocate c. The algae population becomes depleted as a result of colder water temperatures d. The nutrients supplied as a result of the upwelling cause algae to become abundant.

d. The nutrients supplied as a result of the upwelling cause algae to become abundant.

Which best explains why estuaries are an important habitat for many marine organisms in comparison to the open ocean? a. There is less food in estuaries. b. There are more predators in estuaries. c. There is more salt available in estuaries. d. There are more nutrients available in estuaries.

d. There are more nutrients available in estuaries.

During a portion of the water cycle, water falls to Earth's surface as precipitation. Some of this water runs off into channels and keeps moving until it ends up in the ocean. a. lake b. aquifer c. wetland d. river

d. river

Which causes cold ocean water to rise during an upwelling event? a. motion of organisms b. deep water currents c. mass of nutrients d. surface winds

d. surface winds

What does pH measure? a. acidity/alkalinity b. dissolved oxygen c. nutrient level d. turbidity

a. acidity/alkalinity

Which best describes the water in an estuary? a. brackish b. frozen c. salt

a. brackish

How does overharvesting of oysters impact the water quality of an estuary? a. Increase in pollution usually consumed by oysters. b. Decrease in CO2 levels due to increase in pollution. c. Increase in organic matter usually filtered out by oysters. d. Increase in CO2 levels due to decrease in pollution.

c. Increase in organic matter usually filtered out by oysters.