Deck 15: Solid and Hazardous Waste

Question 1

Coral reef populations are threatened by all of the following except_________ .

A)increased ocean acidity
B)parasitic algae that break down calcium carbonate
C)fishing
D)increased ocean temperatures

Answer 1

parasitic algae that break down calcium carbonate

Question 2

What is the source of energy used by primary producers living in the abyssal zone?

A)Sunlight
B)Organic material falling from above
C)Sulfur compounds
D)Primary producers cannot live in the abyssal zone.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

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?

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

Answer 3

B

Question 4

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

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 5

-In what ocean are you least likely to find the patterns shown in the figure?

A)Indian Ocean
B)Pacific Ocean
C)Atlantic Ocean
D)Arctic Ocean

Question 6

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

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 7

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

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

Question 8

Ocean acidification results in which of the following?

A)A decrease in ocean pH,resulting in less calcium carbonate available for plankton and corals to build shells and exoskeletons
B)An increase in ocean pH,resulting in more calcium carbonate available for plankton and corals to build shells and exoskeletons
C)A decrease in ocean pH,resulting in more calcium carbonate available for plankton and corals to build shells and exoskeletons
D)An increase in ocean pH,resulting in less calcium carbonate available for plankton and corals to build shells and exoskeletons

Question 9

-Which of the following can be inferred from the information in the figure?

A)Salinity closely relates to water temperature.
B)Water pressure affects both salinity and water temperature.
C)Cold water is denser than warm water.
D)Light can penetrate oceans to a depth of only 1500m.

Question 10

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

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.

Question 11

If ocean water traveling in a current warms from 10 to 20 °C,it would______ .

A)decrease in salinity
B)decrease in density
C)dissolve increased amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
D)decrease in pH

Question 12

Most coral reefs are located in shallow water because below this depth,_____.

A)there is not enough oxygen
B)water temperatures are too cold for coral to grow
C)water currents are too fast for coral to colonize
D)sunlight levels are too low to sustain the photosynthetic algae living within the coral exoskeleton

Question 13

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

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.

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of a marine dead zone?

A)Undersea volcanic activity
B)Low nitrogen and phosphorus levels
C)Abnormally salty or silty waters
D)A low concentration of oxygen

Question 16

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

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 17

Where will you find the Gulf Stream?

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

Question 18

-The fishing method shown in this figure_______ .

A)can be used for capturing lobster
B)is an effective way to prevent overharvesting of commercial species
C)selectively harvests a single species of fish
D)is specially designed to prevent damage to the seafloor

Question 19

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_______.

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

Question 20

The practice of aquaculture provides which of the following?

A)Anchovies caught off the coast of Peru
B)Salmon raised in pens along the coast of Norway
C)Coral jewelry such as necklaces
D)Tomatoes grown in troughs of nutrient- enriched water

Question 21

Upwelling___________ .

A)results in areas of high primary productivity at the ocean surface
B)occurs in areas where there are no currents
C)transports oxygen up toward the ocean surface
D)is the flow of warm water up toward the ocean surface

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

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?

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 24

Hydrothermal vents __________.

A)occur in tropical areas at the ocean surface
B)help make the photic zone the most productive area of the oceans
C)provide chemicals to bacteria that support ecosystems on the ocean floor
D)create ocean currents

Question 25

Which of the following statements about ocean productivity is true?

A)Productivity decreases in upwelling zones because the colder temperatures of the waters slow the process of photosynthesis.
B)Ocean productivity is highest in the aphotic zone.
C)Sunlight and the availability of nutrients are two factors that regulate ocean productivity.
D)Limestone calcium carbonate)is the source of carbon that enters the marine food web.

Question 26

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

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 27

Which one of the following scenarios is most likely to result in a body of water becoming hypoxic?

A)The overharvesting of oysters that would have filtered nutrients from ocean water
B)The extraction of phytoplankton from the ocean to use as an ingredient in smoothies and health food drinks
C)The overfishing of sharks
D)An oil tanker running aground and seeping thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean

Question 28

Which of the following occurs when atmospheric concentrations of CO₂ increase?

A)H⁺ from ocean water will diffuse and react with the CO₂ in the atmosphere to create atmospheric carbonic acid,decreasing the acidity of the ocean.
B)CO₂ will diffuse into the ocean,where H⁺ from ocean water will react with the CO₂,decreasing the acidity of the ocean.
C)CO₂ will diffuse into the ocean,where it reacts with H₂O,producing carbonic acid.
D)CO₂ will diffuse into the ocean,where H⁺ from ocean water will react with the CO₂,increasing the acidity of the ocean.

Question 29

In general,coral reef ecosystems are_____________ .

A)sensitive to pollution and decreasing ocean pH
B)in critical condition in the Caribbean,but healthy elsewhere
C)not heavily fished because fishing gear often becomes entangled and damaged by the reefs
D)recovering quickly from human- caused damage because corals grow quickly

Question 30

A hypoxic zone is most likely to directly kill which of the following?

A)Zooplankton
B)Oysters and crabs
C)Marine mammals such as dolphins and whales
D)Primary producers such as phytoplankton and seaweed

Question 31

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

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

Question 32

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide threatens coral reefs by ___________.

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 33

An estuary is____________ .

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 34

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

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 35

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

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

Question 36

In which of the following zones would you be least likely to find phytoplankton?

A)Photic zone
B)Coastal zone
C)Pelagic zone
D)Abyssal zone

Question 37

Major ecosystem impacts of oil spills include all of the following except________ .

A)death of vegetation along coastlines where the oil has washed ashore
B)risk of fire along coastlines where the flammable material has washed ashore
C)suffocation of animals whose gills or lungs have been compromised with oil
D)death of birds that have been immobilized by the oil coating their feathers

Question 38

As water in the Gulf Stream travels toward northern Europe,it becomes_________ .

A)saltier,less dense,and warmer
B)less salty,less dense,and warmer
C)saltier and colder
D)colder and less dense

Question 39

What is a key source of ions found in ocean water?

A)The ions are produced in the process of evaporation of ocean water.
B)The ions originate from the weathering of rocks on land.
C)The ions originate from marine organisms that have decomposed on the bottom of the ocean.
D)The ions originate from salts contained in rainwater.

Question 40

Marine reserves are ___________.

A)military personnel responsible for policing the open ocean waters for illegal whaling operations
B)"no-take" areas in the oceans
C)military personnel responsible for policing the coastlines for illegal fishing operations
D)opposed by most environmentalists because the reserves are ineffective at protecting fish,since fishing is often still allowed

Question 41

Explain the motives for establishing marine reserves and marine protected areas.Describe the difference between the two.

Question 42

Explain how increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels affect coral reef ecosystems.

Question 43

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

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 44

Where would you find an estuary?

A)In a marine reserve,where fishing has been banned
B)Near a deep- sea vent,where sulfur provides chemical energy for organisms at the bottom of a marine food web
C)In an area of high primary production within the pelagic zone
D)Where a river flows into an ocean

Question 45

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

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