Refer to the figure. Based on the diagram, which component or components account for the largest pools and fluxes in the hydrologic cycle? (Boxes represent pools, and arrows represent fluxes.)
A) The largest pools and fluxes are both associated with living biomass.
B) The largest pools and fluxes are both associated with ice and snow.
C) The largest pool is the ocean; the largest fluxes occur between the oceans and atmosphere.
D) The largest pool is the ocean; the largest fluxes occur between the oceans and living biomass.
E) The largest pool is the atmosphere; the largest fluxes occur between atmosphere and land.

Question

Refer to the figure.  Based on the diagram, which component or components account for the largest pools and fluxes in the hydrologic cycle? (Boxes represent pools, and arrows represent fluxes.)
A) The largest pools and fluxes are both associated with living biomass. 
B) The largest pools and fluxes are both associated with ice and snow. 
C) The largest pool is the ocean; the largest fluxes occur between the oceans and atmosphere. 
D) The largest pool is the ocean; the largest fluxes occur between the oceans and living biomass. 
E) The largest pool is the atmosphere; the largest fluxes occur between atmosphere and land.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The diagram shows that the largest pool is the ocean and the largest fluxes occur between the oceans and atmosphere. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because the biomass pool is not as large as the ocean pool, and the fluxes are not as significant as those between the oceans and atmosphere. Option B is incorrect because the ice and snow pool is not as large as the ocean pool, and the fluxes are not as significant as those between the oceans and atmosphere. Option D is incorrect because while the ocean pool is the largest, there are no significant fluxes between the ocean and living biomass. Option E is incorrect because while the atmosphere pool is significant, the largest pool is the ocean, and the fluxes between atmosphere and land are not the largest in the cycle.

Refer to the Figure