Oceanography and the Geoid Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is the geoid in relation to mean sea level?

A standard measurement for ocean depths

A surface of constant gravitational potential (correct)

A type of ocean wave pattern

A variable gravitational surface

Which scientific disciplines fall under the umbrella of oceanography?

Climatology, hydrology, meteorology, topography

Meteorological, geological, astronomical, buoyancy

Anatomical, behavioral, chemical, geological

Physical, biological, chemical, geological, optical (correct)

What is the primary focus of physical oceanography?

Chemical properties of ocean water

Biological interactions within marine ecosystems

Geological formations beneath the ocean floor

Dynamics of water masses and physical properties of seawater (correct)

How does an eco sounder measure water depth?

By timing how long a sound pulse takes to travel to the seafloor and back Signup and view all the answers

What can cause changes in coastal salinity?

Input of freshwater and evaporation from winds Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of latitude on coastal temperature?

Temperature decreases at higher latitudes Signup and view all the answers

What velocity does sound travel in seawater?

$1,500 ms^{-1}$ Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence the physical properties studied in physical oceanography?

Marine biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the temperature of coastal waters in high latitudes?

They remain uniformly near freezing. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is primarily studied in Geological Oceanography?

The evolution of seafloor morphology. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of Chemical Oceanography?

Relationships between chemical compounds and biological factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does Biological Oceanography study?

The life history of ocean organisms and their habitat interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of oceanography involves the study of light interaction in the water column?

Optical Oceanography Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential tool used in Biological Oceanography for sampling marine organisms?

Various types of nets. Signup and view all the answers

What does Acoustical Oceanography focus on?

The study of sound propagation in ocean waters. Signup and view all the answers

In which latitudes does coastal water become uniformly warm?

Low latitudes Signup and view all the answers

Which inorganic nutrient is essential for the formation of proteins in phytoplankton?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is salinity primarily measured in?

Grams per kilogram Signup and view all the answers

What role do actively probing sonars and passively listening hydrophones serve in acoustical oceanography?

They reveal information about the ocean that is otherwise unseen. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the principle of constant proportion regarding salinity?

The total salt amount varies but the relative proportions remain the same. Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes the relationship between chlorinity and salinity?

Salinity is equal to chlorinity multiplied by 1.8065. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key aspect of ocean engineering?

Implementing oceanic structures and instrumentation. Signup and view all the answers

What is one source of salts in seawater?

Weathering of rocks Signup and view all the answers

What impact do groins have on beach erosion?

They cause sand to accumulate on one side while eroding the other. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when enough water evaporates from seawater?

Increase in salt concentration, leading to brine formation. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the major constituents of seawater salinity is true?

Sodium and chlorine make up about 86% of sea salt. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organisms requires silica for growth?

Diatoms Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of ocean technology?

To develop tools that benefit marine research and implementation. Signup and view all the answers

What is chlorinity a measure of in seawater?

Total amount of halogens Signup and view all the answers

How do Argo Floats contribute to ocean observing?

By collecting data as they move through the water column. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)?

They assist in underwater exploration and research. Signup and view all the answers

Which ions primarily comprise dissolved salts in seawater?

Sodium and chlorine. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does adding salt to water have on its freezing point?

It lowers the freezing point. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the highest ocean salinity typically found?

Between 20-30 degrees north and south of the equator. Signup and view all the answers

Which surface water feature separates warm surface water from cold deep water in tropical and subtropical regions?

Thermocline. Signup and view all the answers

How does salinity affect the vapor pressure of water?

Vapor pressure decreases as salinity increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is a halocline?

A layer where salinity rapidly changes. Signup and view all the answers

The Gulf Stream is known for which characteristic?

Having peak velocities near 2 m/s. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences ocean surface temperature across different latitudes?

Insolation, or solar heating. Signup and view all the answers

In which regions are seasonal thermoclines present?

Temperate regions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geoid

Mean Sea Level is a surface of constant gravitational potential called the Geoid
The Geoid is a surface that represents the average sea level

Oceanography

Oceanography is the study of the oceans
The major branches of Oceanography include:
- Physical Oceanography
- Biological Oceanography
- Chemical Oceanography
- Geological Oceanography
- Optical Oceanography
- Acoustical Oceanography
Physical Oceanography is the study of the physical properties of seawater and the processes that control these properties
Biological Oceanography is the study of the distribution, abundance, and life history of marine organisms
Chemical Oceanography is the study of the origin and composition of seawater and how the chemistry of the ocean affects, or is affected by, biological, geological and physical factors
Geological Oceanography is the study of the morphology, composition, and evolution of the seafloor and its sediments
Optical Oceanography is the study of the propagation and interaction of radiation in the water column
Acoustical Oceanography is the study of the use of sound to study the ocean

Ocean Engineering

Ocean engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to design and implement oceanic structures, instrumentation, and ships

Ocean Technology

Ocean technology is the development and application of instrumentation and technologies that will benefit research programs and implementation of marine projects.

Technologies for ocean observing

Remote sensing and satellite imagery are used to observe the ocean from space
Floating devices such as Argo floats and drifters are used to collect data from the ocean
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Automated Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are used to explore the ocean

Physical and Chemical Properties of Sea Water

The major components of seawater are dissolved salts
Salinity is the total mass, expressed in grams, of all dissolved substances in one kilogram of seawater
The Principle of Constant Proportion states that the relative proportions of the major ions in seawater remain constant despite variations in the absolute amount of salt
Salinity is determined by measuring the electrical conductivity of seawater
Salinity is expressed in parts per thousand (ppt)
Chlorinity is the amount of halogens in seawater and is expressed in grams/kilogram or percent
Salinity is equal to 1.8065 times chlorinity
Salt sources include weathering of rocks on land and the reaction of lava with seawater
Salt sinks include evaporation, wind-blown spray, adsorption onto clays, shell formation by organisms
Salinity influences the freezing point, density, and vapor pressure of water
The highest ocean salinity is between 20-30o north and south of the equator
Salinity decreases at the equator and poleward of 30o because evaporation decreases and precipitation increases
A halocline is a zone of rapid change in salinity
Water stratification within the ocean is more pronounced between 40°N and 40°S

Ocean Temperature

Ocean surface temperature strongly correlates with latitude
Insolation, the amount of sunlight striking Earth’s surface, is directly related to latitude
Ocean isotherms, lines of equal temperature, generally trend east-west except where deflected by currents
Ocean currents carry warm water poleward on the western side of ocean basins and cooler water equatorward on the eastern side of the ocean
Ocean temperature varies with the season
Ocean temperature is highest in the tropics (25oC) and decreases poleward
Tropical and subtropical oceans are permanently layered with warm, less dense surface water separated from the cold, deep water by a thermocline
Temperate regions have a seasonal thermocline and polar regions have none

Phytoplankton Nutrients

Phytoplankton require inorganic sources of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), silica (Si), and other atoms for growth
Nitrogen (N) is used to make proteins
Phosphorus (P) is used to make new cells and genetic material like DNA and RNA
Silica (Si) is used by diatoms, radiolarians, and siliceous sponges
Photosynthesis and respiration contribute to the distribution of nutrients
The most useful forms of nutrients for phytoplankton are:
- NO3- nitrate
- NO2- nitrite
- NH4+ ammonium
- PO43- phosphate

Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream is the fastest ocean current in the world with peak velocities near 2 m/s

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of Oceanography and the Geoid through this quiz. Learn about the different branches of Oceanography and the significance of the Geoid in understanding sea level. Test your knowledge on topics like physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanography.