Chapter 13 Oceans, Coastal Systems, & Wind Processes

Question 1

Five Oceans

Answer 1

Atlantic 
Pacific 
Indian 
Arctic 
Southern

Question 2

Sea

Answer 2

Smaller than ocean associated with a continental landmass

Question 3

Salinity

Answer 3

Concentration of dissolved solids

Question 4

Physical Structure:

Mixing Zone

Answer 4

Surface layer; 2% of ocean mass

Question 5

Physical Structure:

Thermocline Transition Zone

Answer 5

Temperature decreases with depth

18% of ocean mass

Question 6

Physical Structure:

Deep Cold Zone

Answer 6

Coldest water along ocean bottom

80% of ocean mass

Question 7

Human Impacts:

Ocean Acidification

Answer 7

Excess carbon dioxide absorbed by oceans

Question 8

Human Impacts:

Pollution and Oil Spills

Answer 8

Largest oil spill in U.S.History
Gulf of Mexico, 2010

Contaminates aquatic organisms and wildlife

Question 9

The Littoral Zone

Answer 9

Zone in which coastal systems operate

Question 10

Shoreline

Answer 10

Line of contact with sea and

land

Question 11

Coast

Answer 11

Edge of land

Question 12

Erosional Coastal Landforms:

Sea Cliff

Answer 12

Formed by wave erosion; wave cut notch

Eventually collapse and retreat, causing mass movement

Question 13

Erosional Coastal Landforms:

Wave-cut platform

Answer 13

Level ledge of rock found just below water level

Formed as headlands are eroded

Question 14

Erosional Coastal Landforms:

Sea Caves/Sea Arches

Answer 14

Formed from more resistant rock as headlands erode

Question 15

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Beaches

Answer 15

Narrow strip along coast formed from deposition carried by rivers

Question 16

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Barrier Spit

Answer 16

Sand Spit

Material deposited in a long ridge extending out from coast

Question 17

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Bay Barrier

Answer 17

Spit that encloses bay

Question 18

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Lagoon

Answer 18

Shallow saltwater body cut off from ocean

Question 19

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Tombolo

Answer 19

Spit that joins an island to the mainland

Question 20

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Barrier Beaches

Answer 20

Long, narrow sand feature parallel to the coast

Question 21

Coastal Depositional Landforms:

Barrier Islands

Answer 21

Broader, more extensive barrier beaches

Question 22

Coral

Answer 22

A sea animal that secretes rock-like calcium carbonate

Question 23

Coastal Wetlands:

Mangrove Swamps

Answer 23

• Grows in salty coastal regions
• Between 30° N and 30° S latitude
• Benefits
• Protects coastlines
• Supports sea life
• Absorbs carbon dioxide

Question 24

Coastal Wetlands:

Salt Marshes

Answer 24

Consist of salt-tolerant plants
- Forms in estuaries/tidal mud flats behind
barrier beaches and spits
- Located at latitudes 30° and higher

Question 25

Which zone is the upper portion or surface layer of an ocean or sea?

Answer 25

Mixing Zone

Question 26

What is currently threatening mangrove swamps?

Answer 26

Shrimp and fish farms