What contributes to the high biological activity and surface nutrients in southern polar waters?

a. Deep-water upwelling
b. Weak stratification
c. There is a lack of continental margins
d. All are contributing factors


ANS: D
There are a few factors that culminate in southern polar waters to produce a high biologically active
area. There is an absence of continental margin which allows the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to
minimize salinity differences. Turbulence and weak stratification encourages deep-water upwelling
events. Information can be found in the section The Ocean Is Stratified by Density.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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