Question 1

Greenhouse gases are associated with all except:
A) global warming.
B) coral bleaching.
C) cooling of Arctic waters.
D) sea level rise.
E) melting of glaciers.

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gases are associated with global warming, coral bleaching, sea level rise, and melting of glaciers. However, cooling of Arctic waters is not associated with greenhouse gases. In fact, the Arctic is warming at a faster rate than other parts of the world due to the amplification of the greenhouse effect in polar regions.

Question 2

Reported toxins' effects on marine phytoplankton include all of the following except
A) increased sinking rate.
B) inhibited photosynthesis.
C) reduced growth.
D) reduced cell division.
E) tumors.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

The largest volumetric component of trash collected on beaches will likely be:
A) metal.
B) plastic.
C) medical waste.
D) glass.
E) cigarette butts.

Accepted Answer

Plastic is the most common form of trash found on beaches around the world. It is estimated that about 90% of all marine debris is made up of plastic. This is due to the pervasive use of single-use plastic products, such as food wrappers, straws, and bottles. Plastic debris poses a significant threat to marine life, as it can be easily ingested and cause harm or death to animals.

Question 4

Pollution in the coastal area has led to
A) sea level rise.
B) an increase in upwelling.
C) a decrease in economic and recreational value.
D) a decrease in upwelling.
E) increases in fishery landings.

Accepted Answer

Pollution has led to a decrease in the economic and recreational value of coastal areas. This is because polluted water and beaches are less attractive to tourists and can harm local businesses that depend on tourism. Additionally, pollution can harm fisheries and other industries that rely on clean water and a healthy ecosystem, further decreasing economic value. None of the other choices provided are directly related to pollution in coastal areas.

Question 5

DDT was used in the U.S. in the ____ industry.
A) plastics
B) agricultural
C) paint
D) manufacturing
E) weapons.

Accepted Answer

DDT was mainly used in agricultural industry as a pesticide to control pests and insects that damage crops. Other industries such as plastics, paint, manufacturing, and weapons did not typically use DDT.

Question 6

A toxic organic compound is:
A) chromium.
B) polychlorinated biphenyls.
C) trash.
D) oil.
E) zinc.

Accepted Answer

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment and other industrial applications. They are highly toxic and persistent in the environment, posing a significant threat to human and animal health.

Note: The other choices listed (chromium, trash, oil, and zinc) are not strictly considered toxic organic compounds. Chromium, oil, and zinc can all be harmful in certain forms or concentrations, but they are not organic compounds. Trash is not a specific substance, but rather a collection of different materials that may contain organic and/or inorganic compounds.

Question 7

Toxins can lead to:
A) increased harvestable metals in the ocean.
B) reduction in anaerobes in the sediment.
C) reduction in primary production.
D) increase in primary production.
E) increase in individual size and growth rates.

Accepted Answer

Toxins can often inhibit the growth and reproduction of phytoplankton and other primary producers, leading to a reduction in primary production.

Answer: B 
 Some toxins can be harmful to anaerobic bacteria that live in the sediment, leading to a reduction in their numbers.

Answer: A, E 
 This is not a widely observed effect of toxins, and is not a consistently observed one. Some toxins may have an effect of increasing the size and growth rate of individuals, but this is not always the case.

Question 8

Animals that are likely to be severely affected by DDT include:
A) pelicans.
B) jellyfish.
C) anchovies.
D) mussels.
E) copepods..

Accepted Answer

Pelicans are near the top of the food chain and can accumulate high levels of DDT in their bodies, which can cause thinning of eggshells and reproductive problems.

Question 9

The biggest problem facing coastal habitats is not dumping but:
A) overfishing.
B) river runoff.
C) development.
D) offshore oil spills.
E) nuclear power plant leakage.

Accepted Answer

While dumping, overfishing, river runoff, offshore oil spills, and nuclear power plant leakage are all significant issues facing coastal habitats, development is the biggest problem. Coastal areas are attractive locations for population growth and tourism, leading to the construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. This development can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, reduction in biodiversity, and coastal erosion.

Question 10

When seawater rises more than 10 mm per year, symbiotic zoxoanthellae will
A) increase due to the warm water.
B) be reduced without sufficient sunlight.
C) be reduced by the increased pressure.
D) increase due to the input of nutrients.
E) increase due to increased water pressure.

Accepted Answer

Symbiotic zoxoanthellae are photosynthetic organisms that live in a mutualistic relationship with corals. They require sunlight for photosynthesis and if the seawater rises more than 10mm per year, it can reduce the amount of sunlight available for the zoxanthellae. As a result, their population will decrease.

Question 11

Ocean dumping of trash is an example of society doing all except
A) abusing the ocean.
B) finding short-term profits in waste disposal.
C) finding a viable solution to trash.
D) having an "out of sight, out of mind" mentality.

Accepted Answer

Ocean dumping of trash is not a viable solution to trash, as it harms the environment and marine life. Therefore, society is not finding a viable solution to trash by dumping it in the ocean.

Question 12

The reported effects of toxins on marine zooplankton include
A) increased sinking rate.
B) faster growth.
C) tumors.
D) altered growth and development.
E) increase in photosynthetic rates.

Accepted Answer

Toxins can cause altered growth and development in marine zooplankton, which can have negative impacts on their survival and reproduction. Other reported effects such as increased sinking rate, faster growth, tumors, and increased photosynthetic rates are less commonly observed.

Question 13

The following is not a heavy metal toxin:
A) DDT.
B) mercury.
C) lead.
D) zinc.
E) copper.

Accepted Answer

DDT is not a heavy metal toxin; it is a synthetic organic compound used as an insecticide. Mercury, lead, zinc, and copper are considered heavy metals.

Question 14

Future dumping of radioactive waste by U.S.-based organizations into the ocean requires:
A) a permit by the Department of Commerce.
B) approval by the President of the United States.
C) an environmental impact statement and approval by both houses of Congress.
D) approval by the EPA.
E) approval by the Department of Energy.

Accepted Answer

Dumping of radioactive waste into the ocean is a serious environmental issue that could harm marine ecosystems and public health. Therefore, any future dumping requires a thorough environmental impact statement to assess the potential impact on the environment and public health. Furthermore, approval by both houses of Congress is necessary to ensure that the decision represents the will of the people and the interests of the United States as a whole. Permits by the Department of Commerce or approvals by the President, EPA, or Department of Energy are not sufficient to address the complex ecological and social issues involved in such a decision.

Question 15

Species diversity of plankton in the North Atlantic has been reduced by
A) global warming.
B) oil spills.
C) toxic compounds.
D) solar flares.
E) alteration of surface currents.

Accepted Answer

Toxic compounds can accumulate in plankton and harm their health, reducing species diversity.

Question 16

Over ____% of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of a coastline.
A) 10
B) 25
C) 40
D) 50
E) 70

Accepted Answer

The answer of Over ____% of the U.S. population lives...

Question 17

Throughout this century, the military has
A) recycled all of its trucks and jeeps.
B) processed chemicals prior to ocean dumping.
C) discarded unwanted materials into the ocean.
D) removed all unwanted materials to the land for processing.

Accepted Answer

The given statement mentions that the military has "discarded unwanted materials into the ocean." This indicates that the military has been practicing ocean dumping, which is the act of disposing of waste and other unwanted materials into the ocean. Choice A is incorrect because it states that the military has recycled all of its trucks and jeeps, which is not mentioned in the statement. Choice B is incorrect because it states that the military has processed chemicals before ocean dumping, which is not mentioned in the statement. Choice D is incorrect because it states that the military has removed all unwanted materials to the land for processing, which is not mentioned in the statement.

Question 18

Most coastal pollution comes from
A) oil spills from ships.
B) dumping of trash.
C) military disposal.
D) runoff from urban and agricultural lands.
E) nuclear power plants.

Accepted Answer

Runoff from urban and agricultural lands is the primary source of coastal pollution, carrying pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, and sewage into the waterways that lead to the ocean. While oil spills, dumping of trash, military disposal, and nuclear power plants can contribute to coastal pollution, they are not the primary sources.

Question 19

Ocean dumping began A) early in human history. B) with the development of Middle Age cities. C) with the Industrial Age. D) in the early part of the 19^th century. E) in the 1960's.

Accepted Answer

Ocean dumping has been a practice since early in human history, as humans have always sought ways to dispose of waste, and the ocean has often been used as a convenient dumping ground.

Question 20

Ocean pollution includes all except
A) toxins.
B) heavy metals.
C) dissolved oxygen.
D) oil.
E) PCBs.

Accepted Answer

Dissolved oxygen is not considered a form of ocean pollution, as it is a natural component of seawater and necessary for marine life. The other options listed (toxins, heavy metals, oil, and PCBs) are all forms of ocean pollution that can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Quiz 20: Oceans in Jeopardy

Greenhouse gases are associated with all except:

Reported toxins' effects on marine phytoplankton include all of the following except

The largest volumetric component of trash collected on beaches will likely be:

Pollution in the coastal area has led to

DDT was used in the U.S. in the ____ industry.

A toxic organic compound is:

Toxins can lead to:

Animals that are likely to be severely affected by DDT include:

The biggest problem facing coastal habitats is not dumping but:

When seawater rises more than 10 mm per year, symbiotic zoxoanthellae will

Ocean dumping of trash is an example of society doing all except

The reported effects of toxins on marine zooplankton include

The following is not a heavy metal toxin:

Future dumping of radioactive waste by U.S.-based organizations into the ocean requires:

Species diversity of plankton in the North Atlantic has been reduced by

Over ____% of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of a coastline.

Throughout this century, the military has

Most coastal pollution comes from

Ocean dumping began

Ocean pollution includes all except