Watersheds and Drainage Basins

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What is the average salinity of ocean water?

35 ppt (correct)

45 ppt

25 ppt

55 ppt

Which ocean is home to the Marianas Trench, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Pacific Ocean (correct)

Arctic Ocean

Indian Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

What primarily influences deepwater currents in oceans?

Tidal waves

Temperature changes (correct)

Wind

Salinity changes

Why are gyres observed to rotate clockwise in the northern hemisphere?

Coriolis effect Signup and view all the answers

In which layer of the atmosphere do radio communications take place?

Mesosphere Signup and view all the answers

Which ocean is the newest and sits between Africa and Australia?

Indian Ocean Signup and view all the answers

Where is the International Space Station located in the Earth's atmosphere?

Thermosphere Signup and view all the answers

What causes thermohaline circulation, also known as the Global Conveyor Belt?

Differences in density Signup and view all the answers

What defines the boundaries of a watershed?

Drainage divides Signup and view all the answers

Why are watersheds important?

They can affect downstream water quality and streamflow Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to diffuse contaminants in a watershed?

They become concentrated as water is funneled to the same place Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest zone in the ocean?

Aphotic zone Signup and view all the answers

In which ocean zone do plants and algae primarily grow?

Photic zone Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that divides the ocean into major zones?

Sunlight availability Signup and view all the answers

What can be found around hydrothermal vents in the ocean?

Ecosystems collecting Signup and view all the answers

'Diffuse contaminants over a wide area can become concentrated as water in the basin is funneled to the same place.' This statement highlights the concept of:

Non-point source pollution Signup and view all the answers

What are the two most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere?

Nitrogen gas and oxygen gas Signup and view all the answers

Which gas acts as Earth's sunscreen by blocking harmful ultraviolet light?

Ozone Signup and view all the answers

What do greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide do in Earth's atmosphere?

Help keep Earth warm enough for life to thrive Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called where warmer, less dense material rises and colder, denser material sinks in a fluid?

Convection Signup and view all the answers

What are the three global-level convection cells named near the equator, mid-latitudes, and poles?

Hadley Cells, Ferrel Cells, Polar Cells Signup and view all the answers

How does air pressure affect temperature?

Lower air pressure leads to higher temperature Signup and view all the answers

What happens to air as it rises up the windward side of a mountain?

It expands and cools down Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for the formation of clouds when warm, moist air rises?

Warm, moist air rising Signup and view all the answers

Why does air naturally move from high-pressure to low-pressure systems?

Due to the differences in temperature within air masses Signup and view all the answers