Geography ยท Environmental Studies
Oceanography and Hydrology
1,673 Questions
Find relevant questions on oceanography and hydrology that address aquatic ecosystems and physical geography. The topics include coastal landforms, coral reefs, ocean salinity, and tidal patterns. These concepts frequently appear in civil services and state level administrative examinations.
Coral reef structuresCoastal landformsOcean salinity patternsGlacial retreat impactsMangrove ecosystems
Oceanography and Hydrology Questions
What is the term used to describe the organisms that live on or in the bottom of a body of water?
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Plankton
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Nekton
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Benthos
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Pelagic
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Benthos refers to the community of organisms that inhabit the bottom of a body of water, including the sediment and the water immediately above it.
Which of the following is an example of a benthic adaptation?
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Streamlined body
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Bioluminescence
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Camouflage
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Migration
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Camouflage is a common benthic adaptation that helps organisms blend in with their surroundings and avoid predators.
Which of the following is a major factor that influences the distribution and abundance of benthic organisms?
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Water temperature
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Sunlight
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Depth
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Salinity
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Depth is a major factor that influences the distribution and abundance of benthic organisms, as it affects factors such as light availability, pressure, and temperature.
What is the term used to describe the cultivation of marine organisms for commercial purposes?
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Mariculture
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Aquaculture
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Pisciculture
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Sericulture
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Mariculture refers to the cultivation of marine organisms, including fish, shellfish, and algae, in controlled environments for commercial purposes.
What is the maximum amount of oil that a ship can discharge into the sea under MARPOL?
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15 parts per million
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100 parts per million
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1,000 parts per million
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10,000 parts per million
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Under MARPOL, the maximum amount of oil that a ship can discharge into the sea is 15 parts per million.
What is ocean acidification?
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The process by which the ocean becomes more acidic.
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The process by which the ocean becomes more alkaline.
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The process by which the ocean becomes more saline.
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The process by which the ocean becomes more polluted.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Ocean acidification is the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to the increased absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What is the primary source of marine debris?
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Land-based sources
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Ocean-based sources
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Atmospheric sources
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Natural sources
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Land-based sources, such as littering, stormwater runoff, and sewage discharge, are the primary contributors to marine debris.
What is the name of the type of flood that occurs when the sea level rises and inundates coastal areas?
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Flash Flood
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River Flood
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Coastal Flood
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All of the above
C
Correct answer
Explanation
A coastal flood occurs when the sea level rises and inundates coastal areas. This type of flood can be caused by storm surges, tsunamis, or high tides.
Which coastal zone management strategy involves the use of natural buffers to protect coastal areas from pollution and erosion?
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Beach nourishment
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Seawalls
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Breakwaters
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Green infrastructure
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Green infrastructure, such as wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs, can act as natural buffers to protect coastal areas from pollution and erosion.
Which of the following is an example of a surface wave?
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Ocean waves
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Sound waves
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Light waves
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Radio waves
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Surface waves are waves that travel along the boundary between two media. Ocean waves are an example of surface waves, as they travel along the boundary between water and air.
What is ocean acidification?
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A decrease in the pH of ocean water
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An increase in the pH of ocean water
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A change in the salinity of ocean water
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A change in the temperature of ocean water
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Ocean acidification is a decrease in the pH of ocean water, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Which type of glacier is formed when a glacier flows into the sea and ends in a cliff?
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Piedmont Glacier
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Valley Glacier
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Ice Cap
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Tidewater Glacier
D
Correct answer
Explanation
A tidewater glacier is formed when a glacier flows into the sea and ends in a cliff.
What is the average salinity of seawater?
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35 parts per thousand
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30 parts per thousand
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40 parts per thousand
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45 parts per thousand
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The average salinity of seawater is approximately 35 parts per thousand, meaning that there are 35 grams of dissolved solids in every kilogram of seawater.
What is the primary source of dissolved solids in seawater?
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Weathering of rocks
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Volcanic eruptions
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Hydrothermal vents
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Dissolved solids in seawater come from a variety of sources, including weathering of rocks, volcanic eruptions, and hydrothermal vents.
How does the chemical composition of seawater vary with depth?
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It remains constant
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It becomes more concentrated
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It becomes less concentrated
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It varies depending on the location
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The chemical composition of seawater remains relatively constant with depth, except for minor variations in certain regions.