Select the correct answer.

Question

In which area or areas on the image does the salinity of the ocean increase?

The image illustrates the water cycle, depicting the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. The cycle includes several key stages:

Evaporation:
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Water from bodies of water, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers, turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere due to heat from the sun.

Condensation:
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As the water vapor rises, it cools and condenses into clouds.

Precipitation:
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Water falls back to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, or hail.
Runoff:
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Some of the precipitation flows over the land surface as runoff, eventually making its way back to rivers and oceans.
Groundwater:
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Some of the precipitation seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater.
The diagram also labels key components of the cycle, including "RUNOFF," "GROUNDWATER," and numbered locations possibly indicating different stages or areas of interest. The blue color scheme and simple graphics enhance the visual representation of the water cycle for educational purposes. The sun, clouds, and arrows indicating movement further clarify the processes involved in the cycle.
Group of answer choices
1
1, 2. and 3
2
3
none of these

Answer 1

To correctly determine where salinity in the ocean increases based on the description provided, we need to consider the processes of evaporation and runoff.

1. Evaporation: When water evaporates, it leaves behind salts and other dissolved substances. This increases the salinity of the remaining water.

2. Runoff: Typically, runoff can dilute oceanic salinity as freshwater from rain and rivers flows into the ocean.

Given the information in the image and the nature of these processes:

• The area where salinity would increase would primarily be related to the process of evaporation.

The correct answer, given this context, would likely be 1 (indicating the area where evaporation occurs).

If the numbered locations (1, 2, 3) are specifically labeled in the diagram described, you would select the one corresponding to the evaporation area. If none of the choices accurately depict evaporation, then the answer may be "none of these." However, based on the information given, the answer is most likely 1.