Directions: Using Microsoft Word to save and submit your work, please complete the following assignment. Check Your Understanding answers should show in depth knowledge of the topic by presenting information in at least two paragraphs per question. Outside resources are highly recommended.
1. How are oil and natural gas though to be formed? How can these substances be extracted from the seabed? Why are the physical characteristics of the surrounding rock important?
2. What methods of ocean energy extraction have been shown to be practical?
3. Does the ocean provide a substantial percentage of all protein needed in human nutrition? Of all animal protein? What is the most valuable biological resource? The fastest growing fishery?
4. What are the signs of overfishing? How does the fishing industry often respond to these signs? What is the usual result? What is bycatch?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a proclaimed EEZ? Do you think the United States was justified in proclaiming its own EEZ separate from the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Draft Convention?
6. Why is refined oil more hazardous to the marine environment than crude oil? Which is spilled more often? What happens to oil after it enters the marine environment?
7. What heavy metals are most toxic? How do these substances enter the ocean? How do they move from the ocean to marine organisms and people?
8. Few synthetic organic chemicals are dangerous in the very low concentrations in which they enter the ocean. How are these concentrations increased? What can be the outcome when these substances are ingested by organisms in a marine food chain?
9. How can a decrease in stratospheric ozone affect planktonic productivity?
10. How might global warming directly affect the ocean?