Choose five (5) of the following seven (7) essay questions and answer them, then answer question 8.
Essay Questions
1. Describe how a wave breaks on the shore as it transitions from a deep-water wave to a shallow-water wave. In your answer, be sure to include wave interference, wave refraction, and surf zone.
2. Explain the relative influence of the sun and the moon on tides.
3. Define the term coast and describe the factors that shape coastlines. How have human activities influenced coastal processes? Provide a specific example.
4. Describe the process of water mixing in estuaries and the resulting four types of estuaries based on mixing.
5. Describe energy flow through a generalized marine trophic system.
6. Discuss the nature, distribution, and ecological importance of salt marshes and estuaries and explain why they are among the most productive of marine habitats.
7. When a species is overfished, what changes are there in the standing stock and the maximum sustainable yield? What are some problems with fisheries management?
8. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a swirling mass of plastic that you can see from space. The search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 highlighted this environmental disaster and brought it into the public spotlight. Taking a look at the GPGP is a sobering way to realize there is no "away" or “dilute” option when it comes to trash, especially for trash that cannot be decomposed.
These two sites: Episode 126: The great Pacific garbage patchand Great Pacific garbage patch highlights the GPGP.
Write an essay on how the GPGP attained such an enormous size and what can be done to minimize its negative impacts on marine environments.
References:
• Garrison, T. (2015). Essentials of Oceanography (7th ed.). Farmington, MI: Brooks/Cole Publishing.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (n.d.). Episode 126: The great Pacific garbage patch. Making Waves, National Ocean Service. Retrieved from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast/june14/mw126-garbagepatch.html
• National Geographic. (n.d.). Great Pacific garbage patch. Pacific Trash Vortex, Education. Retrieved from http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/?ar_a=1