Question 1

Which of the following statements most accurately describes temperature and density patterns in Earth's oceans?

Accepted Answer

A) Density generally increases and temperature generally decreases with depth. 
B) Warm tropical waters are denser than waters at high latitudes. 
C) Density and temperature generally increase with depth. 
D) The densest and warmest waters are found in the tropics. 
A) Density generally increases and temperature generally decreases with depth. 
B) Warm tropical waters are denser than waters at high latitudes. 
C) Density and temperature generally increase with depth. 
D) The densest and warmest waters are found in the tropics. A

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of nonpoint- source pollution?

Accepted Answer

A) Fertilizer- enriched runoff from agricultural fields 
B) Trash dumped from a ship 
C) Wastes from an industrial facility 
D) Sewage from a municipal sewage treatment plant 
A) Fertilizer- enriched runoff from agricultural fields 
B) Trash dumped from a ship 
C) Wastes from an industrial facility 
D) Sewage from a municipal sewage treatment plant A

Question 3

How do the effects of nutrients in upwellings compare to the effects of nutrients from agricultural runoff?

Accepted Answer

A) Both negatively impact marine ecosystems by causing hypoxia as a result of eutrophication. 
B) Nutrients from agricultural runoff tend to positively impact marine ecosystems by delivering nutrients that support healthy levels of marine productivity,while upwellings tend to harm marine ecosystems by causing hypoxia as a result of eutrophication. 
C) Both positively impact marine ecosystems by delivering nutrients that support healthy levels of marine productivity. 
D) Upwellings tend to positively impact marine ecosystems by delivering nutrients that support healthy levels of marine productivity,while nutrients from agricultural runoff tend to harm marine ecosystems by causing hypoxia as a result of eutrophication. 
A) Both negatively impact marine ecosystems by causing hypoxia as a result of eutrophication. 
B) Nutrients from agricultural runoff tend to positively impact marine ecosystems by delivering nutrients that support healthy levels of marine productivity,while upwellings tend to harm marine ecosystems by causing hypoxia as a result of eutrophication. 
C) Both positively impact marine ecosystems by delivering nutrients that support healthy levels of marine productivity. 
D) Upwellings tend to positively impact marine ecosystems by delivering nutrients that support healthy levels of marine productivity,while nutrients from agricultural runoff tend to harm marine ecosystems by causing hypoxia as a result of eutrophication. D

Question 4

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Eastern Garbage Patch)is a region of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii where high concentrations of marine debris can be found.This debris includes easily visible large pieces of floating litter such as plastic bottles,along with vast quantities of easily overlooked confetti- sized plastic particles suspended in the surface waters.The patch is estimated to be at least the size of Texas,with some estimates as great as the size of the continental United States.Several such patches exist in the various oceans across the globe.Which of the following materials is most likely to end up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Accepted Answer

A) A glass bottle discarded into a garbage can at a convenience store in Seattle,Washington 
B) Debris from a ship that capsized and sank in a storm off the coast of Japan 
C) A toy army soldier flushed down the toilet in Los Angeles,California 
D) A barrel of hazardous waste illegally dumped off the coast of Chile 
A) A glass bottle discarded into a garbage can at a convenience store in Seattle,Washington 
B) Debris from a ship that capsized and sank in a storm off the coast of Japan 
C) A toy army soldier flushed down the toilet in Los Angeles,California 
D) A barrel of hazardous waste illegally dumped off the coast of Chile

Question 5

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide threatens coral reefs by ___________.

Accepted Answer

A) decreasing both the temperature and the pH of the oceans 
B) increasing the temperature and decreasing the pH of the oceans 
C) decreasing the temperature and increasing the pH of the oceans 
D) increasing both the temperature and the pH of the oceans 
A) decreasing both the temperature and the pH of the oceans 
B) increasing the temperature and decreasing the pH of the oceans 
C) decreasing the temperature and increasing the pH of the oceans 
D) increasing both the temperature and the pH of the oceans

Question 6

The climatic event that involves the exceptionally strong warming of the eastern Pacific is referred to as ____________.

Accepted Answer

A) La Niña 
B) El Niño 
C) EPSWW Eastern Pacific Shallow Water Warming) 
D) the Coriolis effect 
A) La Niña 
B) El Niño 
C) EPSWW Eastern Pacific Shallow Water Warming) 
D) the Coriolis effect

Question 7

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Eastern Garbage Patch)is a region of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii where high concentrations of marine debris can be found.This debris includes easily visible large pieces of floating litter such as plastic bottles,along with vast quantities of easily- overlooked confetti- sized plastic particles suspended in the surface waters.The patch is estimated to be at least the size of Texas,with some estimates as great as the size of the continental United States.Several such patches exist in the various oceans across the globe.What is the most logical explanation for the existence of these patches?

Accepted Answer

A) The rotation of the planet causes marine debris to be pulled toward the Equator,where most of these patches are found. 
B) The patches are found along shipping lanes where cruise ships illegally dispose of their garbage by throwing it overboard. 
C) Currents circulate plastics and other debris until they accumulate in areas where currents are more sluggish. 
D) There are several locations in the middle of the oceans where it is legal to dump wastes. 
A) The rotation of the planet causes marine debris to be pulled toward the Equator,where most of these patches are found. 
B) The patches are found along shipping lanes where cruise ships illegally dispose of their garbage by throwing it overboard. 
C) Currents circulate plastics and other debris until they accumulate in areas where currents are more sluggish. 
D) There are several locations in the middle of the oceans where it is legal to dump wastes.

Question 8

All of the following would be classified as nekton except ____.

Accepted Answer

A) whales 
B) sharks 
C) sea otters 
D) lobsters 
A) whales 
B) sharks 
C) sea otters 
D) lobsters

Question 9

Which of the following is true of eutrophication in marine ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A) Eutrophication aids the ecosystems by providing needed limiting nutrients,such as phosphorus. 
B) Eutrophication is rare and occurs only in bad weather. 
C) Eutrophication can kill fish. 
D) Eutrophication can aid corals by killing parasites. 
A) Eutrophication aids the ecosystems by providing needed limiting nutrients,such as phosphorus. 
B) Eutrophication is rare and occurs only in bad weather. 
C) Eutrophication can kill fish. 
D) Eutrophication can aid corals by killing parasites.

Question 10

What is the name of the area of the ocean in the shallow water bordering continents?

Accepted Answer

A) Continental zone 
B) Coastal zone 
C) Surface zone 
D) Reef zone 
A) Continental zone 
B) Coastal zone 
C) Surface zone 
D) Reef zone

Question 11

How would the increased melting of Arctic glaciers caused by global climate change affect thermohaline circulation?

Accepted Answer

A) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase the flow of cold water into the Arctic Ocean,resulting in an increased density of the Arctic Ocean. 
B) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase runoff into the Arctic Ocean,raising sea levels and causing thermohaline circulation patterns to reverse direction and flow away from,rather than toward,the Arctic Ocean. 
C) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase the flow of ions into the Arctic Ocean,increasing the salinity and density of the Arctic Ocean. 
D) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase the flow of fresh water into the Arctic Ocean,resulting in decreased salinity and density of the Arctic Ocean. 
A) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase the flow of cold water into the Arctic Ocean,resulting in an increased density of the Arctic Ocean. 
B) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase runoff into the Arctic Ocean,raising sea levels and causing thermohaline circulation patterns to reverse direction and flow away from,rather than toward,the Arctic Ocean. 
C) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase the flow of ions into the Arctic Ocean,increasing the salinity and density of the Arctic Ocean. 
D) The increased melting of Arctic glaciers would increase the flow of fresh water into the Arctic Ocean,resulting in decreased salinity and density of the Arctic Ocean.

Question 12

The global fish harvest was around 100 million tons in 1990 and grew to almost 180 million tons in 2010.This growth of the global fish harvest has mostly been due to increases in_______.

Accepted Answer

A) the use of aquaculture 
B) saltwater capture fisheries 
C) ocean temperature 
D) volumes of the major rivers of the world 
A) the use of aquaculture 
B) saltwater capture fisheries 
C) ocean temperature 
D) volumes of the major rivers of the world

Question 13

Which of the following oil spills was not caused by a tanker accident?

Accepted Answer

A) Valdez 
B) Prestige 
C) Deepwater Horizon 
D) All of the choices were tanker accidents. 
A) Valdez 
B) Prestige 
C) Deepwater Horizon 
D) All of the choices were tanker accidents.

Question 14

In addition to increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide,humans are negatively impacting coral reefs by_________ .

Accepted Answer

A) destroying large regions of coral reefs for commercial aquaculture 
B) introducing alien species that are thought to be more productive 
C) using large amounts of coral rock to pave roads and build houses 
D) overharvesting fish and invertebrates that live in reef ecosystems 
A) destroying large regions of coral reefs for commercial aquaculture 
B) introducing alien species that are thought to be more productive 
C) using large amounts of coral rock to pave roads and build houses 
D) overharvesting fish and invertebrates that live in reef ecosystems

Question 15

The__________ zone forms the boundary between marine ecosystems and terrestrial environments.

Accepted Answer

A) benthic 
B) intertidal 
C) photic 
D) pelagic 
A) benthic 
B) intertidal 
C) photic 
D) pelagic

Question 16

Which of the following most accurately describes the process by which a dead zone occurs?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased nutrients lead to increased growth of algae and plants.When these organisms die,decomposers use oxygen in the water to break down the dead organisms.Fish and other marine organisms are thus robbed of the oxygen they need. 
B) Overharvesting and poor fishing techniques create areas devoid of life within the ocean. 
C) Nutrient runoff leads to increased growth of aquatic algae and plants,which remove oxygen from water in order to photosynthesize.Fish and other marine organisms are thus robbed of the oxygen they need. 
D) Fertilizers and pesticides are carried from cities and farmland to the oceans,where these pollutants kill fish and other marine organisms,creating a zone devoid of life near shore. 
A) Increased nutrients lead to increased growth of algae and plants.When these organisms die,decomposers use oxygen in the water to break down the dead organisms.Fish and other marine organisms are thus robbed of the oxygen they need. 
B) Overharvesting and poor fishing techniques create areas devoid of life within the ocean. 
C) Nutrient runoff leads to increased growth of aquatic algae and plants,which remove oxygen from water in order to photosynthesize.Fish and other marine organisms are thus robbed of the oxygen they need. 
D) Fertilizers and pesticides are carried from cities and farmland to the oceans,where these pollutants kill fish and other marine organisms,creating a zone devoid of life near shore.

Question 17

Which of the following would occur during a La Niña event?

Accepted Answer

A) Trade winds weaken,causing droughts in the United States and Southeast Asia. 
B) Trade winds weaken,causing greater upwelling of cold water off the west coast of South America. 
C) Trade winds strengthen,causing greater upwelling of cold water off the west coast of South America. 
D) Trade winds strengthen,causing the waters in the tropical eastern Pacific to become warmer than normal. 
A) Trade winds weaken,causing droughts in the United States and Southeast Asia. 
B) Trade winds weaken,causing greater upwelling of cold water off the west coast of South America. 
C) Trade winds strengthen,causing greater upwelling of cold water off the west coast of South America. 
D) Trade winds strengthen,causing the waters in the tropical eastern Pacific to become warmer than normal.

Question 18

-Which of the following is the best explanation for the relationship between salinity and depth in the mixed layer?

Accepted Answer

A) Salt is only slightly soluble in cold water,so salinity always decreases with water temperature. 
B) Warm water is evaporating at the surface,so the water becomes saltier at the surface. 
C) The increase in density and pressure with depth causes salt to precipitate out of the water,so the water becomes less salty with depth in the mixed layer. 
D) Salt water is less dense than fresh water,so water with the highest salt content would rise to the surface. 
A) Salt is only slightly soluble in cold water,so salinity always decreases with water temperature. 
B) Warm water is evaporating at the surface,so the water becomes saltier at the surface. 
C) The increase in density and pressure with depth causes salt to precipitate out of the water,so the water becomes less salty with depth in the mixed layer. 
D) Salt water is less dense than fresh water,so water with the highest salt content would rise to the surface.

Question 19

An estuary is____________ .

Accepted Answer

A) a coral reef ecosystem that has experienced bleaching because of changes in water temperature 
B) a landform created from the silt that moves down a river and into the ocean 
C) a person who compiles and analyzes statistics to determine the maximum allowable catch for fish and other seafood 
D) a biologically rich area where a river flows into the ocean,where fresh- and saltwater mix 
A) a coral reef ecosystem that has experienced bleaching because of changes in water temperature 
B) a landform created from the silt that moves down a river and into the ocean 
C) a person who compiles and analyzes statistics to determine the maximum allowable catch for fish and other seafood 
D) a biologically rich area where a river flows into the ocean,where fresh- and saltwater mix

Question 20

Where will you find the Gulf Stream?

Accepted Answer

A) In the Gulf of Mexico 
B) In the upper atmosphere 
C) Along the Gulf Coast of the United States,where rivers feed into the ocean 
D) Off the east coast of the United States 
A) In the Gulf of Mexico 
B) In the upper atmosphere 
C) Along the Gulf Coast of the United States,where rivers feed into the ocean 
D) Off the east coast of the United States

Which of the following statements most accurately describes temperature and density patterns in Earth's oceans?

Which of the following is an example of nonpoint- source pollution?

How do the effects of nutrients in upwellings compare to the effects of nutrients from agricultural runoff?

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide threatens coral reefs by ___________.

The climatic event that involves the exceptionally strong warming of the eastern Pacific is referred to as ____________.

All of the following would be classified as nekton except ____.

Which of the following is true of eutrophication in marine ecosystems?

What is the name of the area of the ocean in the shallow water bordering continents?

How would the increased melting of Arctic glaciers caused by global climate change affect thermohaline circulation?

The global fish harvest was around 100 million tons in 1990 and grew to almost 180 million tons in 2010.This growth of the global fish harvest has mostly been due to increases in_______.

Which of the following oil spills was not caused by a tanker accident?

In addition to increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide,humans are negatively impacting coral reefs by_________ .

The__________ zone forms the boundary between marine ecosystems and terrestrial environments.

Which of the following most accurately describes the process by which a dead zone occurs?

Which of the following would occur during a La Niña event?

-Which of the following is the best explanation for the relationship between salinity and depth in the mixed layer?

An estuary is____________ .

Where will you find the Gulf Stream?

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Exam 15: Solid and Hazardous Waste

Which of the following statements most accurately describes temperature and density patterns in Earth's oceans?

Which of the following is an example of nonpoint- source pollution?

How do the effects of nutrients in upwellings compare to the effects of nutrients from agricultural runoff?

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide threatens coral reefs by ___________.

The climatic event that involves the exceptionally strong warming of the eastern Pacific is referred to as ____________.

All of the following would be classified as nekton except ____.

Which of the following is true of eutrophication in marine ecosystems?

What is the name of the area of the ocean in the shallow water bordering continents?

How would the increased melting of Arctic glaciers caused by global climate change affect thermohaline circulation?

The global fish harvest was around 100 million tons in 1990 and grew to almost 180 million tons in 2010.This growth of the global fish harvest has mostly been due to increases in_______.

Which of the following oil spills was not caused by a tanker accident?

In addition to increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide,humans are negatively impacting coral reefs by_________ .

The__________ zone forms the boundary between marine ecosystems and terrestrial environments.

Which of the following most accurately describes the process by which a dead zone occurs?

Which of the following would occur during a La Niña event?

-Which of the following is the best explanation for the relationship between salinity and depth in the mixed layer?

An estuary is____________ .

Where will you find the Gulf Stream?

The Science of Sustainability

Environmental Policy

Economics and Values

Biodiversity and Evolution

Populations and Communities

Ecosystems and Biomes

Biogeochemical Cycles

Freshwater

Atmosphere and Air Pollution

Oceans

Climate

Human Populations

Land Use

Agriculture

Human Health and the Environment

Energy Use

Nonrenewable Energy

Enewable Energy

Science Fundamentals

Filters