1.  What is the biggest source of oil contamination in the oceans?

Urban runoff of refined petroleum

2.  How are marine oil spills a threat to marine species?

it is toxic and often keeping them from feeding and smothering them (clogging openings)

3.  What are some effective responsives to oil spills?

physically containing the oil spill and using chemical solvents

4.  What was the problem with steam cleaning the Alaskan coast in the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

It damaged the environment more than it helped.

5.  What are measures that can be taken to help prevent oil spills?

double and triple hull ships, and move shipping lanes further offshore

6.  What are potential sources of contamination of estuaries?

urban and agricultural runoff causing contamination and eutrophication

7.  What does CO2 do to the atmosphere?

It helps the atmosphere hold heat more effectively.

8.  What evidence of global warming is there in the oceans?

sea level is rising and oceans are become slightly more acidic, melting back of polar sea ice

9.  How are past climates on Earth studied in the oceans?

examining sediment samples and microfossils in those sediments

10.  What percent of CO2 is likely taken up by the oceans?

30-40%

11.  What is a potential additive to the oceans that would allow it to take up more CO2?

adding trace amounts of iron allows photosynthetic organisms to flourish and take up CO2