Oceanography Concepts Study Guide

A set of flashcards covering key concepts in physical, chemical, and geological oceanography to aid in study and exam preparation.

What are the three atmospheric circulation cells found in Earth's hemispheres?

Hadley cell, Ferrel cell, and Polar cell.

What primarily causes seasonal variation in Earth's climate?

The tilt of the Earth’s axis of rotation.

In which direction does the Coriolis effect turn ocean currents in the northern hemisphere?

To the right.

What does salinity refer to in ocean water?

The total amount of dissolved solids in the ocean water.

What is heat capacity in relation to water?

The property that makes the ocean slow to heat and slow to cool.

At what temperature is liquid water most dense?

4 degrees Celsius.

What is Forchhammer’s principle?

The concept that solids or salts in seawater will always be in a constant proportion to each other.

What is the average pH of the ocean?

8.0.

What percentage of Earth's water is found in the ocean?

97%.

What was the major contribution of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition?

It proved that circumnavigation of the globe was possible.

What is density in scientific terms?

Mass per unit of volume.

What causes violent geological activity?

Convergent plate boundaries.

What did Alfred Wegener propose in 1912?

The Theory of Continental Drift.

What is paleomagnetism?

The remnant magnetic field of a rock, which is recorded over time in seafloor during seafloor spreading.

What is the role of phytoplankton in ocean ecosystems?

They produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

What is the primary source of terrigenous sediments?

Rivers.

What are the four interconnected sciences of oceanography?

Physical, Geological, Biological, and Chemical oceanography.

What event is believed to have catalyzed the beginning of the universe?

The Big Bang.

What is the primary characteristic of the Hadley cell?

Warm air rises at the equator and cools, then descends at 30º N and 30º S.

What defines an active continental margin?

It occurs where an oceanic plate subducts under a continental plate or where two plates collide.

What are hydrogenous sediments?

Minerals that precipitate directly from seawater.

What depth defines the calcium carbonate compensation depth (CCD)?

4500 meters.

What happens to the density of water with temperature increase?

Density decreases as temperature increases.

What is a regular flashcard?

A regular flashcard is a study aid consisting of a piece of card with information on one side and a prompt or question on the other side.