test prep 2/6/25 test

What is salinity?

the amount of salt dissolved in seawater.

Why is salinity important?

drives ocean currents and plays a role in climate.

How does monitoring salinity help us understand environmental changes?

provides insights into climate patterns and can indicate changes in weather.

How is salinity expressed in units?

parts per thousand (ppt, ‰)

What is the average salinity of seawater in oceans?

35 parts per thousand.

What are the three main salts found in ocean water?

Sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium sulfate.

How does seawater gain its salinity?

mineral runoff and underground volcanic activity.

What is osmoregulation?

the process by which an organism regulates the concentration of salts in its body.

What is buoyancy?

the ability of an object to float in a fluid, due to the fluid providing upward support.

What greenhouse gases are primarily responsible for climate change?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) from human activities, nitrous oxide (N2O), Oxone (O3), Water vapor (H2O), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

What is ocean acidification?

the decrease in pH of the ocean due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide.

What compound are the shells of corals and shell organisms made of?

calcium carbonate (CaCO3)

What happens to carbonate ions during ocean acidification?

decrease, making it difficult for shell-forming organisms to build their shells.

What is the pH of normal seawater?

8.1 to 8.3.

What are the impacts of rising sea temperatures on marine organisms?

Rising temperatures can lead to stress, inability to reproduce, and potential death of marine organisms.