18
QuizMultiple Choice

Earth's Water System — Test

Question 18 • Earth and Space Science

Which explanation best describes the relationship between salinity, temperature, and nutrient concentrations across latitudes?

Answer
A
Higher salinity and temperature at low latitudes support nutrient enrichment in surface waters.
B
Nutrient concentrations are unrelated to changes in salinity or temperature and remain stable across all latitudes.
C
Warmer waters at higher latitudes increase nutrient supply by promoting faster circulation.
D
Declining temperature and salinity at higher latitudes are associated with increasing nutrient availability from mixing and upwelling.

Explanation

At higher latitudes, surface waters generally become colder and less salty, while mixing and upwelling bring nutrient-rich deep water toward the surface. This links declining temperature and salinity with greater nutrient availability, as choice D states. Warm, salty low-latitude surface waters are often nutrient-poor, so choice A reverses the typical relationship.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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