Salt Marsh And Beaches Quiz! Trivia

The correct answer is a seawall. Seawalls are hard stabilization structures built along coastlines to protect against erosion and flooding. They are typically constructed perpendicular to the shoreline and act as a barrier to redirect wave energy. However, the presence of a seawall can cause increased erosion on both the front and sides of the wall. This is because the redirected wave energy can cause scouring and undercutting of the sediment around the wall, leading to erosion.

The photo shows a dense forest located in the center of the widest part of an island. This suggests that the island has a maritime forest, which is a type of forest that grows in coastal areas and is influenced by the nearby ocean. The fact that the forest is situated in the middle of the widest part of the island indicates that it is a prominent feature and an important part of the island's ecosystem.

Spartina alterniflora, also known as marsh cordgrass, is considered the most abundant and ecologically important large plant in the marsh due to its salt tolerance. This means that it can survive and thrive in environments with high levels of salinity, which is a common characteristic of marshes. Its ability to tolerate salt allows it to outcompete other plant species and dominate the marsh ecosystem. Additionally, its salt tolerance enables it to provide important habitat and food sources for various organisms, contributing to the overall ecological balance of the marsh.

The correct answer is that with sea level rise, the mainland coastal plain receded faster than the islands migrated landward. This means that as the sea level rose, the mainland coastal plain moved further away from the islands, causing them to be far from the mainland coast of North Carolina.

Oxygen is in good supply in the substrate of the marsh. The substrate refers to the soil or sediment at the bottom of the marsh, which can contain organic matter and decomposing vegetation. This organic matter undergoes decomposition, which releases oxygen into the surrounding environment. Additionally, the substrate can have a high water content, allowing for the diffusion of oxygen from the water into the soil. Therefore, the substrate of the marsh provides a favorable environment for oxygen availability.

The arrow in the question identifies a longshore current. A longshore current is a current that flows parallel to the shoreline, caused by the oblique angle at which waves approach the coast. It is responsible for the movement of sediment along the coast and can create features such as sandbars and spits.

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The correct answer is 40 miles. This suggests that the North Carolina barrier islands have migrated a distance of 40 miles to reach their current location.

The correct answer explains that the installation of a jetty in the 1930s caused the northern Assateague Island beaches to be deprived of sand, leading to the accelerated movement of the island towards the land. This suggests that the hard stabilization method of using a jetty had unintended consequences on the natural movement and erosion patterns of the island.

The correct answer is 1 ft of sea level rise equals 2000 feet of shoreline retreat. This means that if the sea level rises by 1 ft, the shoreline will retreat by 2000 feet. This information is based on the data provided about North Carolina's vulnerability to sea level rise and the characteristics of its coastline.

Jetties are a type of hard stabilization structure that are built perpendicular to the shoreline. They are designed to trap sediment and prevent it from being carried away by longshore currents, thus helping to stabilize the beach. Jetties are typically constructed in pairs, with one jetty on each side of an inlet or harbor entrance. They are often made of concrete or stone and can vary in length depending on the specific location and purpose. Jetties are commonly used to protect navigation channels and harbors from sedimentation and to improve navigation conditions.

Phytoplankton refers to microscopic plants that serve as a food source for other organisms and are carried by tides and currents. They play a crucial role in the marine food chain as primary producers, converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. These tiny plants are an essential part of aquatic ecosystems and are responsible for producing a significant amount of Earth's oxygen. They are also indicators of water quality and can serve as an early warning system for environmental changes.

The marshes have a characteristically rotten egg odor because decomposition in the marshes uses a lot of oxygen while releasing hydrogen sulfide. This leads to a reduced oxygen level in the marshes, and the release of hydrogen sulfide gives the marshes their distinct rotten egg smell.

A groin is a structure built perpendicular to the shoreline in order to trap sand and prevent erosion. It is typically made of large rocks or concrete and extends into the water. Groins are commonly used in coastal engineering to stabilize beaches and protect them from wave action. They work by trapping sediment on one side, causing the beach to widen and build up. Groins are often built in a series along a coastline to create a more stable and uniform shoreline.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that a self-sustaining community is able to meet its own needs without relying on other communities. In the case of the salt marsh community, it has a wide variety of plants and animal species that occupy different niches, allowing it to provide for its own needs such as food, shelter, and nutrients. This self-sufficiency makes the salt marsh community valuable and resilient in coastal ecosystems.

Bogue Banks is the correct answer because it is an island inlet that experiences a shift in size, expanding and contracting. This suggests that the size of Bogue Banks can change over time, potentially due to factors such as tides, currents, or erosion. The other options, Topsail, Oregon, and Bald Head, do not have the same characteristic of expanding and contracting.

Topsail is the correct answer because it is an island inlet that shifts by returning. This suggests that the movement of the inlet is characterized by a pattern of shifting and then returning to its original position. Bogue Banks, Oregon, and Bald Head are not described as having this specific characteristic.

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The correct answer is that during high tide, incoming tides replenish ocean level salinity. During low tide, areas of salt marsh are exposed and may have pools of water that, when evaporated, leave the salt behind, creating a salty substrate. Evaporation is a factor in intertidal areas, and heavy rains alter the salinity, making the sound less salty. This explanation provides a logical sequence of events that explains how the salt content in the salt marsh can vary due to tidal cycles, evaporation, and rainfall.

A long shore current is formed as ordinary waves hit the shoreline slope causing them to angle away creating a current. As the waves approach the shore, they encounter the slope of the shoreline. This slope causes the waves to refract or bend, with the wave crests becoming parallel to the shoreline. This angled wave action creates a current that flows along the shore, parallel to the shoreline. This current is known as a long shore current.