MBIO Ch.12 review

An estuary is best defined as a place where--

• fresh and salt water meet

• a river meets the Chesapeake Bay

• a group of animals are gathered

• the water from the land flows into a river

Which of the following is NOT TRUE of estuaries?

• Estuaries provide a habitat for biotic factors

• Estuaries create a protective refuge for living things

• Estuaries allow juvenile animals to grow into adults safetly

• Estuaries create shelter for aquatic and non-aquatic life.

Where is the largest estuary in the 48 contiguous United States?

• Great Lakes

• Gulf of Mexico

• Chesapeake Bay

• off the coast of Flordia

A salt wedge forms in an estuary because

• fresh water is more dense than seawater and sinks down.

• fresh water is less dense than seawater and sinks down.

• fresh water is more dense than seawater and floats on top.

• fresh water is less dense than seawater and floats on top.

When salt and fresh water mix, what is the new water substance called?

• Brackish Acid
• Fresh Water
• Salt Water
• Brackish Water

True or False:

Sharks can live in Estuaries

• True

• False

Why are estuaries important to our environment?

• Estuaries filter pollutants and prevent erosion.

• Estuaries provide nurseries for marine life.

• Estuaries act as home for many types of wildlife.

• All of the above.

Mangrove swamps serve as important natural buffers, protecting upland areas from

• erosion and storm damage.

• saltwater intrusion.

• raw sewage spills.

• alien invasions.

Identify the estuary.

• 
• 
• 
• 

These areas of dark, muddy sand exposed at low tide accumulate decaying organic matter, giving off a foul odor.

• Barrier beach.

• Mudflats.

• Mangrove swamps.

• Lagoon.