Weather, Oceans, and Climate Final
Guzmán 2014
Your exam will be 41 multiple choice questions, one essay, and one short answer. It will
be worth 48 points and will most likely be counted on your 3RD marking period grade
(due to requirements of extended time and inevitable absences on the last
day of mkp 2). It is currently scheduled for Wed, Jan 22 or Thu, Jan 23.
We have used some sections in our books as resources. These are the sections from which some
information can be found: 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 16.1, as well as pages 546, 547, and 549. We have also used
several other resources outside of our textbook that should still be available either in your binder or on
my Website. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you not ignore these resources as you study.
Theses labs, activities, and other readings are a huge part of the curriculum. These must be reviewed as
well in addition to the book in order to be successful.
Use the questions below to guide you. I encourage you to write out not only the answer to the
question, but also to write an example when you can of how this can be applied. Diagrams in your book
can help your understanding as well. Your exam will test much more than vocabulary. Most of the
questions will ask you to APPLY your knowledge of the topic and will not be worded the same way as
they are below.
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What is the average salinity of the ocean? In what units is this expressed?
How do dissolved substances, such as salt, get into the oceans?
What is upwelling? How and why does upwelling support marine life?
What process(es) may cause the salinity in the ocean to change?
Know how to ocean is layered from top to bottom at various latitudes (polar regions, equator,
etc.)
What is the thermocline? What is the pycnocline? How and why does it change at various
latitudes?
Why does the ocean not have a thermocline at some latitudes?
Know how and why deep ocean currents circulate.
Know how salinity and temperature affect the density of a water mass
Know which water mass will sink and which one will float based upon density
Know the 3 different layered zones of the ocean (pages 426-427). What are the characteristics
of each? How and why does this layering change at different latitudes?
What causes surface currents in the ocean and what force is involved? How does the direction
of the wind affect the direction of the surface current?
Surface currents help to redistribute heat around the globe. What temperature are most of the
currents moving away from the poles? What temperature are most of the currents moving
away from the equator?
Know how the ocean’s surface temperature can affect the climate on land
What can cause surface currents to be deflected (change direction) as they move around the
globe? (at least 2 reasons)
If water is added or taken away due to natural processes (evaporation, precipitation, etc.) how
does this affect the density of seawater?
17. Explain the “conveyer belt” or thermohaline model of ocean circulation. How does this combine
the movements of both surface and ocean currents? How does this help to distribute heat and
salinity around the globe?
18. El Nino events affect weather around the globe. How would an El Nino event typically affect our
weather here in Michigan?
19. How does an El Nino event affect the both the economy and fisheries in Peru?
20. Why is ocean water in tropical regions not very productive in terms of marine life?
21. During which season is marine life in polar regions most productive? Why?
22. What is photosynthesis?
23. Ocean waters are very productive (able to go through photosynthesis) when they have access to
what two factors?
24. How do zooplankton depend on diatoms in the web of ocean life? How would the population of
diatoms affect the population of zooplankton?
25. How does the presence of sunlight affect productivity in polar oceans? How does this vary
throughout the year?
26. How are zooplankton and diatom populations related?
ESSAY QUESTION:
There is evidence that increased amounts of freshwater are being added to polar regions near
Greenland where the Gulf Stream normally sinks. How might this change affect both ocean circulation
and why? (Full credit answers will correctly discuss density, salinity, temperature, and thermohaline
circulation)
SHORT ANSWER:
If given two maps of different sea surface temperatures, be able to distinguish an El Nino event from a
La Nina event. You must be able to support your answer by explaining WHY and referring to changes in
specific geographic areas.