Ocean Changes
How does ocean acidification affect calcifying organisms?
What regions on Earth are most sensitive to climate change?
Polar regions are most sensitive to climate change.
False. Oceans store heat, leading to milder climates near the ocean.
The seafloor in the deep ocean is called the _____.
Abyssal plain
Give an example of an estuary near where you live.
The Chesapeake Bay
(Gulf of Mexico)
How has the pH of surface ocean waters changed sinced the beginning of the industrial revolution?
pH has fallen by 0.1 pH units.
pH has become more acidic.
As ocean pH lowers, the amount of carbon stored _____ and the amount of oxygen produced _____.
As ocean pH lowers, the amount of carbon stored decreases and the amount of oxygen produced decreases.
Warm water moves towards the _____, whild cold water moves towards the _____.
Warm water moves towards the poles, whild cold water moves towards the equator.
What ocean feature is caused by oceanic crust subducting under continental crust?
Trench
_____ are areas where fresh and salt water mix.
Estuaries are areas where fresh and salt water mix.
What is upwelling?
The process where cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean is brought to the ocean surface.
Sea ice _____ sunlight, leading to _____ ocean temperatures.
Tides are caused by _____, while waves are caused by _____.
Tides are caused by the sun and moon, while waves are caused by wind.
The lithosphere includes what two layers of the Earth?
The lithosphere contains the crust and upper mantle.
False. Ocean resources are finite, harmed by pollution and overfishing.
Oceans are considered carbon sinks. What does this mean?
Oceans store carbon (30%) from the atmosphere.
What type of tide is formed when the sun, moon, and earth are lined up in a straight line?
Spring tide
El Nino is caused by _____ trade winds, leading to what type of weather events in California?
El Nino is caused by weakened trade winds, leading to wet conditions and flooding in California.
What ocean feature is caused by two oceanic plates diverging?
Mid-ocean ridges (rift valleys)
What oceanic species are the most important source of atmospheric oxygen?
Algae (phytoplankton) produce the greatest amount of atmospheric oxygen.
Carbon dioxide combines with water to form what acid?
Carbon dioxide and water form carbonic acid.
Define albedo.
Albedo is the measure of the reflection of sunlight off a surface.
In La Nina conditions, California experiences _____ conditions and _____ fishing.
In La Nina conditions, California experiences dry (drought) conditions and good fishing.
A _____ is a table mount caused by volcanic mountains eroding by waves.
guyot
Explain how upwellings are important to the fishing industry.
Upwelling bring nutrients to the surface, providing food for fish.