The Flow of Ocean Water

Which of the following gases is most important for marine organisms to breathe?

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Methane (CH₄)

• Oxygen (O₂)

• Argon (Ar)

What is the primary use of carbon dioxide in ocean ecosystems?

• Supporting deep-sea ecosystems

• Providing energy for hydrothermal vents

• Fueling photosynthesis in plants and algae

• Increasing ocean salinity

Which of the following is NOT a major dissolved gas in ocean water?

• Nitrogen (N₂)

• Argon (Ar)

• Helium (He)

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

What drives surface ocean currents?

• The Earth's rotation

• Temperature and salinity

• Wind

• Hydrothermal vents

What is the main factor controlling deep ocean currents?

• Wind patterns

• The Coriolis effect

• Density differences due to temperature and salinity

• Upwelling of warm water

What process describes how cold, salty water sinks while warm water rises?

• Coriolis effect

• Upwelling

• Thermohaline process

• Hydrothermal venting

What is the Global Ocean Conveyor Belt?

• A process that forms ocean waves

• A system of ocean currents that circulates water globally

• A structure used to measure ocean temperature

• A type of deep-sea ecosystem

What is upwelling?

• The sinking of cold, salty water

• The movement of warm water from deep currents to the surface

• The rise of deep, nutrient-rich water to the surface

• The process of hydrothermal vent formation

Why is upwelling important for marine life?

• It increases ocean salinity

• It brings dissolved gases and nutrients to support fish and plankton

• It strengthens surface currents

• It reduces the Coriolis effect

What causes ocean currents to curve rather than move in a straight line?

• Thermohaline circulation

• The Coriolis effect

• Hydrothermal vents

• Upwelling