Question 1

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all.
-coastal wetland that occurs at subtropical to tropical latitudes devoid of killing frosts

Accepted Answer

A mangrove swamp is a coastal wetland that occurs at subtropical to tropical latitudes devoid of killing frosts.

Answer: B
 A coral reef is a large underwater structure built by colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps and is found in tropical marine waters.

Answer: D
 A salt marsh is a coastal wetland that is regularly flooded by seawater and dominated by salt-tolerant plants.

Answer: J
 A sea grass bed is a habitat made up of dense, lush meadows of seagrasses that provide valuable ecological services, such as nursery and feeding grounds for many marine animals.

Note: The other terms listed (A, C, F, G, H, I) relate to different aspects of oceanography, but do not match the description given in the question.

Question 2

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all.
-mercury

Accepted Answer

Mercury is a toxic metal.

Question 3

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all.
-a very deep river mouth with a large volume of freshwater flow beneath which a wedge of salt water from the ocean invades

Accepted Answer

A salt wedge estuary has a large volume of freshwater flow beneath which a wedge of salt water from the ocean invades.

Answer: B
 A fjord is a very deep river mouth.

Answer: A 
 In a vertically mixed estuary, the freshwater and saltwater mix vertically due to turbulence, creating a relatively uniform salinity throughout.

Answer: D 
 In a highly stratified estuary, the freshwater and saltwater form distinct layers due to differences in density, with the freshwater layer typically at the surface and the saltwater layer at the bottom.

Answer: E 
 A bar-built estuary is formed when sandbars or barrier islands form along the coast, resulting in a shallow lagoon or bay behind them.

Question 4

Prevailing offshore winds tend to decrease surface water salinity in a coastal plain estuary.

Accepted Answer

Prevailing offshore winds tend to push the surface water away from the coast, which can lead to upwelling of deeper, saltier water, potentially increasing the surface water salinity near the coast, not decreasing it.

Question 5

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all.
-equal salinity

Accepted Answer

Isohaline refers to water that has the same salinity level.

Answer: H
 Halocline refers to a layer of water with a rapid change in salinity.

Answer: A
 Isothermal refers to water with a consistent temperature throughout the water column.

Answer: G
 Thermocline refers to a layer of water with a rapid change in temperature.

Answer: D
 Salt marsh refers to a coastal ecosystem of salt-tolerant plants and animals.

Answer: E
 Mangrove swamp refers to a coastal ecosystem of mangrove trees and associated species.

Answer: B
 Coral reef refers to a diverse marine ecosystem formed by coral organisms.

Answer: J
 Sea grass bed refers to a coastal ecosystem of underwater grasses and associated species.

Note: C and I are not appropriate for any of the given phrases.

Question 6

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all.
-crude oil

Accepted Answer

Crude oil contains hydrocarbons.

Answer: A
 Crude oil can release persistent organic pollutants when spilled or burned.

Answer: C
 Sewage sludge can contain various pollutants, but it is not a type of pollutant itself.

Answer: B 
 Crude oil can contain toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. However, "crude oil" is not a general pollutant category.

Question 7

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all.
-DDT

Accepted Answer

Choice Letter(s) or Number(s): A
 DDT is a persistent organic pollutant, which are organic compounds that persist in the environment for long periods of time and can accumulate in the food chain, causing harm to humans and wildlife.

Answer: D
Choice Letter(s) or Number(s): D
 Hydrocarbons are a general category of pollutants that include compounds made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms, such as gasoline, oil, and other fossil fuels.

The pollutants listed in choices B and C are not matched with a specific category, so they are not the best choices.

Question 8

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all.
-PCBs

Accepted Answer

PCBs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are long-lasting and bioaccumulate in the environment and living organisms.

Answer: B
 There is no pollutant listed that specifically fits the category of toxic metals. However, pollutants such as lead, mercury, and cadmium would fall under this category.

Answer: C
 Sewage sludge is not a pollutant, but rather a waste byproduct of wastewater treatment that may contain pollutants such as heavy metals and organic compounds.

Answer: D
 Hydrocarbons include pollutants such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, which are commonly found in petroleum products and have toxic effects on human health and the environment.

Question 9

The Pamlico Sound, a body of water between coastal North Carolina and the barrier islands of Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, is an example of a bar-built estuary.

Accepted Answer

A bar-built estuary is a type of estuary that is formed by sandbars or barrier islands that separate a shallow lagoon or bay from the ocean. The Pamlico Sound fits this description, as it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks barrier islands.

Question 10

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all.
-coastal wetland occurring at temperate latitudes that experience seasonal frosts

Accepted Answer

Salt marshes occur in coastal wetlands at temperate latitudes that experience seasonal frosts.

Answer: J
 Sea grass beds are also found in coastal wetlands and can occur at temperate latitudes.

Answer: F
 Isohalines refer to lines of equal salinity and are not specifically related to any particular type of ecosystem or location.

Answer: G
 The thermocline refers to the layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth and is not specific to coastal wetlands or particular latitudes.

Answer: E
 Mangrove swamps are found in coastal wetlands, but typically occur in tropical or subtropical latitudes.

Answer: A, C, H, I, and B
 These terms may be applicable in various aquatic environments, but are not specific to coastal wetlands occurring at temperate latitudes.

Question 11

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all.
-shallow estuaries in which freshwater and salt water are completely mixed from the top to the bottom of the water column

Accepted Answer

Shallow estuaries in which freshwater and salt water are completely mixed from the top to the bottom of the water column are called vertically mixed estuaries.

Question 12

Territorial seas extend 12 miles from the coast and were established by the Law of the Sea Treaty.

Accepted Answer

The Law of the Sea Treaty established the concept of the territorial sea, which extends 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers) from the baseline (usually the low-water line) of a coastal state. This means that any foreign vessel entering this zone must comply with the laws and regulations of the coastal state.

Question 13

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all.
-concentrated organic matter

Accepted Answer

Concentrated organic matter is typically found in sewage sludge, which is a byproduct of the sewage treatment process.

Question 14

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all.
-a layer of water in which the salinity changes rapidly with changes in depth

Accepted Answer

A halocline is a layer within a body of water or aquifer where the salinity changes rapidly with depth.

Question 15

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all.
-a layer of water in which the temperature changes rapidly with changes in depth

Accepted Answer

A layer of water in which the temperature changes rapidly with changes in depth is called a thermocline.

Answer: C
 A pycnocline is a layer of water in which the density changes rapidly with changes in depth.

Answer: H
 A halocline is a layer of water in which the salinity changes rapidly with changes in depth.

Answer: J
 Sea grass beds are underwater areas dominated by grass-like plants that provide critical habitat for various marine organisms.

Answer: B
 A coral reef is a diverse underwater ecosystem composed of colonies of coral polyps and the animals that inhabit them.

Answer: E
 A mangrove swamp is a coastal wetland dominated by mangrove trees that provide critical habitat for various marine organisms.

Answer: D
 A salt marsh is a coastal wetland dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants that are adapted to tolerate high salinity levels in the soil.

Answer: F
 An isohaline is a line on a map that connects points of equal salinity in a body of water.

Answer: A
 An isothermal is a layer of water in which the temperature remains constant with changes in depth.

Answer: I
 An isocline is a line on a map that connects points of equal slope or gradient.

Question 16

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all.
-a long, narrow, deep U-shaped inlet that usually represents the seaward end of a submerged glacial valley

Accepted Answer

The description matches the definition of a fjord, which is a long, narrow, deep U-shaped inlet that represents the seaward end of a submerged glacial valley.

Question 17

The Law of the Sea Treaty is an international agreement which gives the United Nations control of the ownership of coastal waters.

Accepted Answer

The Law of the Sea Treaty does establish rules for the use of coastal waters and resources, but it does not give the United Nations ownership or control over them. Coastal states retain sovereignty over their territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles from the shore. Beyond that, there are various zones and boundaries established by the treaty for different purposes.

Question 18

Salt wedge estuaries have a well-developed halocline.

Accepted Answer

Salt wedge estuaries have a well-developed halocline, which is a sharp vertical gradient in the salinity of water separating the freshwater from the saltwater layer. This gradient is maintained by the balance between freshwater flow into the estuary and the rate of tidal exchange with the ocean.

Question 19

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all.
-equal temperature

Accepted Answer

Isothermal refers to equal temperature.

Answer: F
 Isohaline refers to equal salinity.

Answer: G
 Thermocline refers to a layer of water with a rapid change in temperature as depth increases.

Answer: H
 Halocline refers to a layer of water with a rapid change in salinity as depth increases.

Answer: I
 Isocline refers to a line connecting points of equal density in a body of water.

Note: B, D, E, and J refer to specific types of aquatic ecosystems and are not related to the concept of equal temperature or salinity.

Question 20

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all.
-a shallow lagoon separated from the open ocean by a bar deposit such as a barrier island

Accepted Answer

A bar-built estuary is described as a shallow lagoon separated from the open ocean by a bar deposit such as a barrier island.

Answer: B
 A fjord is not described by any of the given choices, so it can only be matched with "not at all." A fjord is a deep, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion.

Answer: C
 A salt wedge estuary is not described in the given choices, so it can only be matched with "not at all." A salt wedge estuary is a type of estuary with a distinct, sharp transition between fresh and salt water due to the denser saltwater layer sinking beneath the less dense freshwater layer.

Answer: D
 A highly stratified estuary is not described in the given choices, so it can only be matched with "not at all." A highly stratified estuary is one where the layering of water with different salinities is more pronounced and stable than in other types of estuaries.

Answer: A
 A vertically mixed estuary is not described in the given choices, so it can only be matched with "not at all." A vertically mixed estuary is one where the water column is well-mixed due to turbulence, wind, or river flow.

Quiz 11: The Coastal Ocean

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all. -coastal wetland that occurs at subtropical to tropical latitudes devoid of killing frosts

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all. -mercury

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all. -a very deep river mouth with a large volume of freshwater flow beneath which a wedge of salt water from the ocean invades

Prevailing offshore winds tend to decrease surface water salinity in a coastal plain estuary.

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all. -equal salinity

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all. -crude oil

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all. -DDT

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all. -PCBs

The Pamlico Sound, a body of water between coastal North Carolina and the barrier islands of Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, is an example of a bar-built estuary.

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all. -coastal wetland occurring at temperate latitudes that experience seasonal frosts

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all. -shallow estuaries in which freshwater and salt water are completely mixed from the top to the bottom of the water column

Territorial seas extend 12 miles from the coast and were established by the Law of the Sea Treaty.

Match the pollutant with its general category. Use each answer, once, more than once, or not at all. -concentrated organic matter

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all. -a layer of water in which the salinity changes rapidly with changes in depth

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all. -a layer of water in which the temperature changes rapidly with changes in depth

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all. -a long, narrow, deep U-shaped inlet that usually represents the seaward end of a submerged glacial valley

The Law of the Sea Treaty is an international agreement which gives the United Nations control of the ownership of coastal waters.

Salt wedge estuaries have a well-developed halocline.

Match the term with the appropriate phrase. You may use each answer once, more than once or not at all. -equal temperature

Match the description of the estuary with its name. Use each choice once, more than once, or not at all. -a shallow lagoon separated from the open ocean by a bar deposit such as a barrier island