Question 1

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are regions in which human activity is restricted to protect the natural environment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Analysis of some areas that were affected by oil spills have shown that cleaned areas were in worse shape than areas left alone. How can this be and what do these studies tell us about the way we approach oil spills?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Analysis of some areas that were affected...

Question 3

Why are plastics a more serious threat than oil spills, and how are they harmful to marine mammals and seabirds?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are plastics a more serious threat...

Question 4

Why are bays and estuaries especially sensitive to pollution?

Accepted Answer

A)  The water is stagnant. 
B)  Fresh water can be polluted more easily. 
C)  Few bacteria are present to aid with biodegradation of pollutants. 
D)  Pollution flows out with river water or is released directly by industry in busy ports.

Question 5

How is sea ice in the Arctic Ocean responding to global warming?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is shrinking significantly. 
B)  It has not yet responded, but may in the future. 
C)  It has disappeared completely. 
D)  It has grown slightly because of the cold water released by melting ice in Greenland.

Question 6

Ocean-related leisure pursuits, including sport fishing, surfing, diving, day cruising, sunbathing, dining in seaside restaurants, and just plain relaxing contribute to the economy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

A(n) resource is one that is naturally replaced by biological or physical processes.

Accepted Answer

A)  nonrenewable 
B)  renewable 
C)  domestic 
D)  unsustainable

Question 8

How has the average per capita world fish catch changed over the last several decades?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has been climbing steadily since the 1950s. 
B)  After declining in the 1960s, it has increased sharply since 1970. 
C)  It has stayed at 1960 levels. 
D)  It increased steadily to about 1970, and then declined.

Question 9

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are .

Accepted Answer

A)  toxic compounds used in pesticides and industrial solvents that cause problems in some areas of the ocean 
B)  created by chemosynthetic bacteria in the ocean 
C)  a physical resource extracted along with petroleum 
D)  important nutrients for some species of phytoplankton

Question 10

What is the main source of oil that reaches the ocean?

Accepted Answer

A)  offshore drilling leaks 
B)  runoff from city streets and dumping of waste oil 
C)  improper nearshore refining methods 
D)  oil tanker spills

Question 11

The largest known reservoir of hydrocarbons on Earth is .

Accepted Answer

A)  oil 
B)  coal 
C)  petroleum 
D)  methane hydrate

Question 12

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide causes Earth's climate to warm by strengthening .

Accepted Answer

A)  primary productivity 
B)  the greenhouse effect 
C)  ocean currents 
D)  incoming sunlight

Question 13

About % of worldwide stocks of tuna, cod, and other large ocean fishes have disappeared in the last 50 years.

Accepted Answer

A)  10 
B)  30 
C)  60 
D)  90

Question 14

With a human population of over 7 billion, what is the importance of understanding the maximum sustainable yields of fisheries?

Accepted Answer

The answer of With a human population of over 7...

Question 15

The effects of pollution on habitats hit the most.

Accepted Answer

A)  sandy and rocky shores 
B)  coral reefs and mangrove swamps 
C)  bays and estuaries 
D)  estuaries and coral reefs

Question 16

How can "fracking" negatively impact the environment?

Accepted Answer

A)  It can increase the potential of seismic activity. 
B)  It can increase fish populations resulting in the decline of important kelp forests. 
C)  It can decrease pH levels in localized waters, thus increasing ocean acidity. 
D)  It can increase flooding in farming communities.

Question 17

Generally speaking, a spill of crude oil is more dangerous to marine life than a spill of refined oil.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Eutrophication is caused by .

Accepted Answer

A)  rising ocean temperatures 
B)  the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide 
C)  the release of excess nutrients 
D)  overfishing

Question 19

Methods to contain and clean up an oil spill .

Accepted Answer

A)  are  most efficient if begun within 24 hours of the disaster 
B)  cost less today than they did 20 years ago 
C)  sometimes cause more damage than the oil itself 
D)  are  best when the oil is dispersed by chemicals sprayed on the ocean surface

Question 20

What is the purpose of marine protected areas?

Accepted Answer

A)  to reduce erosion of the seafloor 
B)  to provide safe havens for marine life 
C)  to shield the shoreline from crashing waves 
D)  to designate zones for recreation and tourism

Exam 11: Uses and Abuses of the Ocean

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are regions in which human activity is restricted to protect the natural environment.

Analysis of some areas that were affected by oil spills have shown that cleaned areas were in worse shape than areas left alone. How can this be and what do these studies tell us about the way we approach oil spills?

Why are plastics a more serious threat than oil spills, and how are they harmful to marine mammals and seabirds?

Why are bays and estuaries especially sensitive to pollution?

How is sea ice in the Arctic Ocean responding to global warming?

Ocean-related leisure pursuits, including sport fishing, surfing, diving, day cruising, sunbathing, dining in seaside restaurants, and just plain relaxing contribute to the economy.

A(n) resource is one that is naturally replaced by biological or physical processes.

How has the average per capita world fish catch changed over the last several decades?

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are .

What is the main source of oil that reaches the ocean?

The largest known reservoir of hydrocarbons on Earth is .

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide causes Earth's climate to warm by strengthening .

About % of worldwide stocks of tuna, cod, and other large ocean fishes have disappeared in the last 50 years.

With a human population of over 7 billion, what is the importance of understanding the maximum sustainable yields of fisheries?

The effects of pollution on habitats hit the most.

How can "fracking" negatively impact the environment?

Generally speaking, a spill of crude oil is more dangerous to marine life than a spill of refined oil.

Eutrophication is caused by .

Methods to contain and clean up an oil spill .

What is the purpose of marine protected areas?