Geography · 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

Multiple choice

Pyramid of energy, in aquatic ecosystem is

  1. always upright

  2. always inverted

  3. bell shaped

  4. None of these

  5. -
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pyramid of energy, is always upright in any of the ecosystem, as the highest energy lies in the lowest trophic level which contains plants and trees.

Multiple choice

What is the chief limitation in gaining energy from oceans?

  1. It is effective in coastal areas only.

  2. It lacks technological advancements to explore.

  3. It results in very high costs.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It is a costly project as it requires land, equipment and high investment for maintenance. The energy potential from the sea (tidal energy, wave energy and ocean thermal energy) is large, but efficient commercial exploitation is difficult. Tidal energy is not likely to be a potential source of energy in the future because there are very few sites around the world which are suitable for building tidal dams.

Multiple choice

Chlamydomonas occurs in

  1. freshwater

  2. ponds and lakes

  3. rivers

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

Chlamydomonas is a genus of green algae consisting of unicellular flagellates found in stagnant water and in damp soil in freshwater.

Multiple choice

The winds blowing from sea towards the coastal areas are called

  1. ocean currents

  2. land breeze

  3. coastal winds

  4. sea breeze
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sea breeze is the wind that flows/blows from sea towards the coastal areas as it is a gentle wind that develops over water bodies near land to differences in air pressure created by their different heat capacity.

Multiple choice

In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the

  1. decomposer microorganisms to the surface.
  2. nutrients to the surface.
  3. Bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface.

Which of the statements given above is/correct?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 only

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 3 only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water. The increased availability in upwelling regions results in high levels of primary productivity and thus fishery production. Approximately 25% of the total global marine fish catches come from five upwellings that occupy only 5% of the total ocean area. Upwellings that are driven by coastal currents or diverging open ocean have the greatest impact on nutrient-enriched waters and global fishery yields.

Multiple choice

There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal booms in the sea waters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon?

  1. Discharge of nutrients from the estauraries.
  2. Run-off from the land rung the monsoon.
  3. Upwelling in the seas.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Algae require warmth, sunlight, and nutrients to grow and reproduce, so they live in the upper 60 to 90 meters (200 to 300 feet) of ocean water. An increase in nutrients also may be caused by activities of humans, such as runoff from animal farms or fertilized croplands and lawns, or atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds or oxides derived from the burning of fossil fuel. These nutrients lead to blooms in coastal waters to a greater extent than in the open ocean. Upwellings bring nutrient-rich waters to the top. This increase in nutrients can trigger algae blooms.

Multiple choice

Which is the correct meaning of the word ‘turbulence’ at (22)?

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

One might think of an ocean as a bottomless sink but its capacity as (21) receptacle for wastes is limited. Oceanic pollution is caused by ship generated discharges of oil and petroleum products, noxious liquids, packaged dangerous goods, garbage etc.

The fate of the pollutant is determined by oceanic currents and the (22) turbulence of the sea. Migrating birds caught in the oil slicks --------23--------their power of flight. Employment of detergents to clean the oil slicks ---------24-----to be harmful to marine life. Paper wastes and cellulose are non- biodegradable in the oceans and their presence affects light penetration as a result of which marine phytocomposition takes place.

  1. convergence of water currents

  2. flow of water in opposite directions

  3. violent movement of water

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

In this context the ocean’s turbulence means violent movement of water.

Multiple choice

Which is the best option that fits gap 23?

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

One might think of an ocean as a bottomless sink but its capacity as (21) receptacle for wastes is limited. Oceanic pollution is caused by ship generated discharges of oil and petroleum products, noxious liquids, packaged dangerous goods, garbage etc.

The fate of the pollutant is determined by oceanic currents and the (22) turbulence of the sea. Migrating birds caught in the oil slicks --------23--------their power of flight. Employment of detergents to clean the oil slicks ---------24-----to be harmful to marine life. Paper wastes and cellulose are non- biodegradable in the oceans and their presence affects light penetration as a result of which marine phytocomposition takes place.

  1. losing

  2. lost

  3. have lost

  4. lose
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The tense is present indefinite.

Multiple choice

Which is correct meaning of the word ‘receptacle’ at (21)?

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

One might think of an ocean as a bottomless sink but its capacity as (21) receptacle for wastes is limited. Oceanic pollution is caused by ship generated discharges of oil and petroleum products, noxious liquids, packaged dangerous goods, garbage etc.

The fate of the pollutant is determined by oceanic currents and the (22) turbulence of the sea. Migrating birds caught in the oil slicks --------23--------their power of flight. Employment of detergents to clean the oil slicks ---------24-----to be harmful to marine life. Paper wastes and cellulose are non- biodegradable in the oceans and their presence affects light penetration as a result of which marine phytocomposition takes place.

  1. a container

  2. space to hold something

  3. object to deliver

  4. structure to receive secretion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning in context is the space in the ocean which contains/holds the wastes.

Multiple choice

Which is the best option that fits gap 24?

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

One might think of an ocean as a bottomless sink but its capacity as (21) receptacle for wastes is limited. Oceanic pollution is caused by ship generated discharges of oil and petroleum products, noxious liquids, packaged dangerous goods, garbage etc.

The fate of the pollutant is determined by oceanic currents and the (22) turbulence of the sea. Migrating birds caught in the oil slicks --------23--------their power of flight. Employment of detergents to clean the oil slicks ---------24-----to be harmful to marine life. Paper wastes and cellulose are non- biodegradable in the oceans and their presence affects light penetration as a result of which marine phytocomposition takes place.

  1. have been found

  2. has been found

  3. will be found

  4. might have been found
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The word ‘employment’ is singular and the other options are talking of future tense.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the correct spelling of 'pureifys'?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

The Hydrosphere is an imaginary (1) sphere. However, its importance is not imaginary. The hydrosphere contains all the water that is above, below, or upon the surface of the earth. It also includes (2) the water inside plants and animals. The larger part of the earth's hydrosphere is salt water. The water cycle pureifys (3) the atmosphere and surface water by removing (4) pollutants. It (5) supplies usable water to living things on land. It does so by purifying the saltwater of the oceans and by turning (6) it into fresh water. All life thus depends upon an "active hydrosphere." That means an intact or undamaged hydrosphere with a running (7) water cycle. Since all living things use water inside their bodies, an active hydrosphere and life travel hand in hand (8).

  1. purefies

  2. purifys

  3. purifies

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

The correct spellings are 'purifies'.