Question

instructions:for each of the four locations (a, b, c, d), describe which is the correct explanation of its salinity. draw an arrow from the location to the correct explanation. a bering sea although located in a tropical region, this area receives an amount of rainfall that is higher than the rate of evaporation, and this lowers the salinity of the surface waters. clue: this region is near the equator where it rains frequently. the warm temperatures might suggest high salinity, but the constant heavy rain dilutes the salt. b equatorial region of the pacific ocean this is an enclosed sea, with few rivers delivering freshwater, but a high rate of evaporation. clue: surrounded by land and located in a hot, dry climate, this sea loses more water to evaporation than it gains from rivers, making it very salty. c mouth of the amazon river this region experiences a large amount of ice melt during many months of the year, lowering the salinity. clue: look for a cold, northern sea near alaska and russia. ice melting during warmer months adds lots of freshwater. d mediterranean sea this region receives a large amount of freshwater input each day. clue: a massive river flows into this ocean area. the river brings in so much freshwater that the seawater here is significantly less salty.

Explanation:

• A (Bering Sea): Matches with "This region experiences a large amount of ice melt during many months of the year, lowering the salinity. Look for a cold, northern sea near Alaska and Russia. Ice melting during warmer months adds lots of freshwater." as it is a cold - northern sea with ice - melt.
• B (Equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean): Matches with "Although located in a tropical region, this area receives an amount of rainfall that is higher than the rate of evaporation, and this lowers the salinity of the surface waters. This region is near the equator where it rains frequently. The warm temperatures might suggest high salinity, but the constant heavy rain dilutes the salt." as it is near the equator with high rainfall.
• C (Mouth of the Amazon River): Matches with "This region receives a large amount of freshwater input each day. A massive river flows into this ocean area. The river brings in so much freshwater that the seawater here is significantly less salty." as the Amazon is a massive river.
• D (Mediterranean Sea): Matches with "This is an enclosed sea, with few rivers delivering freshwater, but a high rate of evaporation. Surrounded by land and located in a hot, dry climate, this sea loses more water to evaporation than it gains from rivers, making it very salty." as it is an enclosed sea in a hot - dry area.

Answer:

• A: This region experiences a large amount of ice melt during many months of the year, lowering the salinity. Look for a cold, northern sea near Alaska and Russia. Ice melting during warmer months adds lots of freshwater.
• B: Although located in a tropical region, this area receives an amount of rainfall that is higher than the rate of evaporation, and this lowers the salinity of the surface waters. This region is near the equator where it rains frequently. The warm temperatures might suggest high salinity, but the constant heavy rain dilutes the salt.
• C: This region receives a large amount of freshwater input each day. A massive river flows into this ocean area. The river brings in so much freshwater that the seawater here is significantly less salty.
• D: This is an enclosed sea, with few rivers delivering freshwater, but a high rate of evaporation. Surrounded by land and located in a hot, dry climate, this sea loses more water to evaporation than it gains from rivers, making it very salty.