What are the different types of water masses? What is the most distinctive water mass? Give the
characteristics and behaviors of that water mass. What will be an ideal response?
ANS:Answer
should include:
? There are five types of water masses in tropical and temperate waters. They are named
for their relative position in the water column. There are surface waters, central waters,
intermediate waters, deep waters and bottom water.
? The most distinctive water mass is the Antarctic Bottom Water. It has a salinity of
34.65 , a temperature of -0.5? Celsius, and a density of 1.0279 grams per cubic
centimeter. This extremely dense water is mostly produced along the coasts of
Antarctica, specifically near South America in winter. It migrates north along the bottom
of the seafloor.
? It is created when salt pockets become trapped between crystals of pure water. As the
water freezes, the salt is squeezed out. This creates extremely cold brine. The high
density causes it to sink towards the continental shelf. It then mixes with the Antarctic
Circumpolar Current.
? The Antarctic Bottom Water circulates throughout the world ocean very slowly
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Which of these high-quality energy sources drives the majority of chemical cycling that takes place in natural ecosystems?
A. solar B. geothermal C. nuclear D. fossil fuels
Detection of toxic chemicals depends upon
A. Whether or not individuals or groups of individuals are sensitive to them B. Whether or not groups of individuals are sensitive to them C. How many individuals respond to them at a certain dosage D. The sensitivity of measuring techniques and how many chemicals are present E. How many chemicals are present
These are areas not connected with plate boundaries but are regions of volcanic activities and are used to monitor the direction and movement of plates:
A. Hotspots. B. Volcanic areas. C. Convergent plate boundaries. D. Divergent plate boundaries.
Levying taxes on each unit of pollution discharged into the air or water is an example of ____.
A. tradable pollution rights B. charging user fees C. regulation D. green taxes E. subsidies for beneficial actions