Geography · Environmental Studies

Oceanography and Hydrology

1,743 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

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, the first and the last (correctly ordered) sentences of a passage are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts named B, C, D and E. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

  1. Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. B. The polyps belong to a group of animals known as Cnidaria, which also includes sea anemones and jellyfish. C. Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. D. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. E. Unlike sea anemones, corals secrete hard carbonate exoskeletons, which support and protect the coral polyps.
  2. Reefs grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny and agitated waters.

  1. BEDC

  2. DBCE

  3. CDBE

  4. EBCD
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

‘Structures’ in 1 and ‘built’ in C link the sentences 1 and C. Introduction of 'polyps' in D links it with B and 'anemones' in B links it with E. Hence, we get the DBE link.

Multiple choice

What is the average salinity in ocean water?

  1. 3.5%

  2. 4.5%

  3. 8.5%

  4. 5.5%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The average salinity of ocean water is approximately 35 parts per thousand, which translates to 3.5 percent. This salinity is mainly due to dissolved salts, primarily sodium chloride. Salinity can vary depending on evaporation rates and freshwater influx from rivers.

Multiple choice

' Breakers' is another word for

  1. surf

  2. trough

  3. crest

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In oceanography, breakers are waves that have become unstable and collapse or 'break' as they approach the shore, forming the surf.

Multiple choice

Oozes are associated with

  1. volcanic deposits

  2. terrigenous deposits

  3. pelagic deposits

  4. coral reefs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Oozes are deep-sea sediments composed of at least 30 percent skeletal remains of microscopic organisms. They are classified as pelagic deposits, which accumulate on the deep ocean floor.

Multiple choice

Mangroves grow in the

  1. Oceans

  2. Inter-tidal zones

  3. Land

  4. Rivers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mangroves are specifically adapted to grow in inter-tidal zones, where they are periodically submerged by tides.

Multiple choice

Night Glow of the sea is caused by

  1. diatoms

  2. slimemoulds

  3. noctiluca

  4. sporozoa
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Night Glow of the sea is caused by Noctiluca scintillans, commonly known as the Sea Sparkle.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the most appropriate filler(s) for the blank(s) such that the sentence makes coherent sense.

Compared with the tide, the wind - created waves are ________ movements felt, at most, no more than a hundred fathoms below the surface.

  1. ebb

  2. burgeoning

  3. surface

  4. intensifying

  5. tranquil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The essence of this sentence is that wind created waves as compared to tides are surface movements, at the max they are some 600 feet deep. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. Minerals and fossil fuels are renewable resources. b. The oceanic area upto 22 nautical miles from the coast is called territorial water. c. The oceanic resources beyond 100 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong to open ocean and no individual country can utilise these.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as this statement is correct.

Multiple choice

Common salt is obtained from sea water by the process of

  1. sublimation

  2. evaporation

  3. crystallisation

  4. filtration
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Common salt (sodium chloride) is obtained from sea water by allowing the water to evaporate in large shallow pans, leaving the salt behind. Sublimation, crystallisation, and filtration are not the primary methods used for this large-scale extraction.

Multiple choice

Coral reefs are formed by ___________.

  1. diatoms

  2. zooplanktons

  3. polyps

  4. algae
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Coral reefs are massive underwater structures built by colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps that secrete calcium carbonate.