Question 1
Question
Hydrothermal processes at mid-ocean ridges affect both the composition of the oceanic crust and that of seawater. For example, hydrothermal activity is the principal “sink” for the element _____________in seawater
Answer
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calcium
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hydrogen
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chlorine
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magnesium
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phosphorus
Question 2
Question
. If the Earth were to rotate in the opposite direction to its current rotation, so that the sun rose in the west and set in the east, the Coriolis Effect would deflect moving objects:
Answer
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. to the left in the Southern Hemisphere,
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. to the right in the Northern Hemisphere,
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always to the north,
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always to the south,
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to the right in the Southern Hemisphere
Question 3
Question
The height of wind-generated waves is determined by
Answer
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wind speed
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fetch
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wind duration
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none of the above
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all of the above
Question 4
Question
Mediterranean Intermediate Water is the saltiest and densest water mass in the world ocean.
Question 5
Question
Antarctic Bottom Water is the coldest and densest water mass in the world ocean
Question 6
Answer
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arises from the earth’s rotation
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accounts for the counter-clockwise rotation of the subtropical gyres in the Northern Hemisphere
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. accounts for the clockwise rotation of the subtropical gyres in the Northern Hemisphere
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A and B are correct
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A and C are correct
Question 7
Question
Cyclonic circulation is
Answer
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clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
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counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere
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associated with high pressure cells
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never in geostrophic balance
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A and C are correct
Question 8
Question
The Ekman spiral:
Answer
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. is maintained by a balance of Coriolis and gravitational forces
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is maintained by a balance of Coriolis, wind shear, and viscous (frictional) forces
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. leads to a surface current 45° to the right of the wind in the Northern Hemisphere
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A and C are correct
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B and C are correct
Question 9
Question
During El Nino/Southern Oscillation years, global weather patterns are altered, including:
Answer
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more fires and droughts in Indonesia and Australia
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weaker coastal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water off Peru
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. more winter storms and rainfall in southern California
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all of the above
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none of the above
Question 10
Question
Upwelling occurs:
Answer
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along the west coasts of continents typically
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in the open ocean where currents converge
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in the open ocean where currents diverge
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only answers a and c are correct
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none of the above
Question 11
Question
Coral reefs do not grow well near the mouths of major rivers because of their intolerance to low salinities and high sedimentation rates.
Question 12
Question
Caribbean coral reefs are found at the location marked by the number
Question 13
Question
A sand ridge connecting an island to the mainland or to another island is a:
Answer
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spit
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jetty
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sea stack
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tombolo
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breakwater
Question 14
Question
The energy that drives surface ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream comes from:
Answer
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salinity variations
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density difference
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Coriolis force
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prevailing winds
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wave activity
Question 15
Question
Submarine Canyons are most characteristic of the
Question 16
Question
Why is the ocean salty?
Answer
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sodium and chlorine are added by rain water
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sodium and chlorine are the elements least likely to be removed by chemical and biological processes
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submarine volcanic eruptions contribute sodium and chlorine
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sodium and chlorine are the most abundant elements brought down by rivers
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sodium and chlorine are created by marine organisms
Question 17
Question
Oxygen-depleted zones of the oceans, such as the one at the mouth of the Mississippi River, are most likely caused by
Answer
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large numbers of fish that are using up all the oxygen in the water
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a reduction in the plant life in rivers that empty into the ocean near the dead zone
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excessive fertilizers carried into the ocean, which cause algal blooms that lower the oxygen levels
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thermal pollution in the ocean
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acid precipitation falling on the ocean
Question 18
Question
A certain chemical has a concentration of 10 ppm in water. Which statement most accurately describes its concentration?
Answer
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There are 10 molecules of the chemical in one million molecules of water
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There are 10 million molecules of the chemical in the sample.
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There are 10 molecules of the chemical in 10 million molecules of water.
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There are 10 million molecules of the chemical in a 1-liter beaker.
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There are 10 molecules of water in one million molecules of the chemical.
Question 19
Question
Salt intrusion into freshwater aquifers; beach erosion; and the disruption of coastal fisheries are all possible results of which of the following?
Answer
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Rising ocean levels as a result of global warming
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More solar ultraviolet radiation on the earth
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More chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere
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Reduced rates of photosynthesis
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Use of the oceans as waste disposal area
Question 20
Question
In sea water, carbon is mostly found in the form of
Answer
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phosphoric acid
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carbon disulfide
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bicarbonate ions
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methane gas
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glucose
Question 21
Question
All of the following gases contribute to rising global air temperatures EXCEPT
Answer
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methane
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nitrogen dioxide
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ozone
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carbon dioxide
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water vapor
Question 22
Question
Convectional heating and cooling of the atmosphere transfers which of the following to other parts of the earth?
I. Heat
II. Moisture
III. Nutrients
Answer
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I only
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II only
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III only
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I and II only
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I, II and III
Question 23
Question
The North Atlantic Current provides which of the following for Europe and North America?
Answer
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Large amounts of CO2 to promote photosynthesis
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Cold saltwater to help form icebergs
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Mineral-rich waters to reduce depleted mineral reserves
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Warm water that moderates land temperatures
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Fish to feed predators such as killer whales
Question 24
Question
Ozone depletion is occurring most rapidly in the earth’s polar regions because
Answer
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there are more researchers studying the problem at the poles than at the equator
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the atmosphere is thicker at the poles, so ozone destruction is easier to observe
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large amounts of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can accumulate on ice crystals formed in the cold atmosphere
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the upper atmosphere winds form a pattern of high and low pressure systems that can cause the destruction of ozone
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the solar UV radiation is stronger at the poles, promoting the breakdown of ozone
Question 25
Question
During an El Niño-Southern Oscillation, weather events change in which of the following areas?
Answer
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The Pacific and Indian Oceans
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The Atlantic and Indian Oceans
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The Arctic Sea
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The Indian and Antartic Oceans
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The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans