Despite an Abundance of Major Nutrients in the Surface Waters of Parts GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

Despite an abundance of major nutrients in the surface waters of parts of the ocean, extremely low concentrations of dissolved iron are believed to play a crucial role in limiting the biological productivity of these regions. Phytoplankton, the basis of freshwater food chains and the source of most of Earth's atmospheric oxygen, require iron for various biochemical processes. Thus, a lack of iron in surface waters has detrimental effects.

In temperate and tropical oceans, iron reaches surface waters via the dissolution of eolian-transported continental dust. Previously, little was known about iron distribution in the surface waters of non-temperate oceans such as the Arctic Ocean. Recent advances, however, have resulted in an analytical methodology capable of determining iron concentrations in ambient surface waters. Studies indicate that concentrations across the Arctic Basin are relatively high and quite variable, ranging from 3.2 nM in the western Arctic to 0.75 nM in the Nansen Basin.

The highest values of iron concentration occur in regions with ice floes containing significant quantities of surface sediment. The hypothesis that ice-rafted sediment is the source of high iron values is bolstered by the presence of large amounts of aluminum in the same regions. The entrainment of sediments from the edge of the basin into floes during the winter freezing process along with the subsequent advection and partial melting of the ice at the center of the basin provides a means of transporting reactive trace metals, such as iron, to the center of the basin. The partial melting of floes during the summer appears sufficient to transport high concentrations of iron to both surface and stratified waters. It seems, however, that any change resulting in the diminution of ice-edge freezing in winter might lead to significant changes in the nature and magnitude of primary productivity in the central Arctic.

“Despite an Abundance of Major Nutrients in the Surface Waters of Parts” is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates must have a solid grip in English GMAT reading comprehension. There are 6 multiple choice questions in the above GMAT Reading Comprehension passages. GMAT Reading Comprehension Questions are delineated to evaluate candidates’ abilities to analyze and be conceptual for the answers. Candidates can brace up and take preparation by answering GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation:

1. It can be inferred from the passage that an example of a detrimental effect in the highlighted text would be

(A) a decrease in the supply of Earth's atmospheric oxygen
(B) a decrease in the significance of phytoplankton in the food chain
(C) an increase in the rate at which phytoplankton perform biochemical processes
(D) an increase in the dissolution of eolian-transported continental dust
(E) an increase in biological productivity in the surface waters of parts of the remote ocean

2. The passage is chiefly concerned with

(A) arguing against the increased production of surface sediment in order to transport iron through surface waters
(B) presenting possible causes for and effects of variations in iron concentrations in surface waters
(C) advocating stricter regulations governing the preservation of phytoplankton in oceanic surface waters
(D) analyzing methods that can effectively measure the amount of iron in surface waters
(E) recommending ways to ensure that iron is transported throughout oceans based upon recent advances in analytical methodology

3. The passage suggests which of the following about surface waters of temperate oceans?

(A) They do not display an even distribution of iron.
(B) They did not contain iron before recent advances in the development of analytical methodology.
(C) They would display lower concentrations of iron if eolian activity decreased.
(D) They would display higher concentrations of iron if continental dust rose to the surface.
(E) They would not contain iron if ice-rafted sediment did not melt.

4. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following would provide the LEAST support for the idea that surface sediment is responsible for increased concentrations of iron in the Arctic Ocean?

(A) The observation that significant quantities of sediment are present on the surface of ice floes in the western Arctic
(B) The observation that a warmer winter results in decreased concentrations of iron in the western Arctic
(C) Measurements taken in the central Arctic confirming that concentrations of iron increase when ice melts
(D) Measurements taken during the summer in the Nansen Basin displaying the highest concentrations of aluminum
(E) The observation that there are higher concentrations of aluminum in the Nansen Basin than in the western Arctic

5. The passage mentions each of the following about iron EXCEPT:

(A) The hypothesis that ice-rafted sediment is the source of high iron values is bolstered by the presence of continental dust in surrounding regions.
(B) Researchers believe that very low concentrations of dissolved iron are a major factor in limiting biological productivity in remote ocean surface waters.
(C) Studies show that, within the Arctic Basin, iron concentrations are relatively high but vary significantly.
(D) Phytoplankton, the main source of Earth's atmospheric oxygen, require iron to perform various biochemical processes.
(E) The highest iron concentrations are found in regions that have ice floes containing large amounts of surface sediment.

6. Based on the information in the passage, it can be inferred that which of the following is critical for human life?

(A) aluminum
(B) ice floes
(C) phytoplankton
(D) surface sediment
(E) continental dust

Suggested GMAT Reading Comprehension Samples

• One Clear Advantage of Selling Goods Online is that Smaller GMAT Reading Comprehension
• While envy-based marketing is a popular tactic among brands GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• The National Bank Act was passed in 1864 GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• Defined as an Aggregate Measure of Production Equal to the Sum of the Gross GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• The Modern Multinational Corporation is Described as having Originated GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• While there is No Fixed Model for Lowering Costs GMAT Reading Comprehension
• An Essential Part of Economic Freedom is the Freedom GMAT Reading Comprehension
• The Fact that Reducing Price can Generate A Competitive Advantage GMAT Reading Comprehension
• Five times as many workers may be needed to construct a power GMAT Reading Comprehension
• Modern Manufacturers, Who Need Reliable Sources of Materials GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• Over 20% of the Annual Gross Domestic Product in the United States is the Result of Innovation GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• A Product’s Design can be More valuable than the Product Itself GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• After a Slow Start, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) GMAT Reading Comprehension.
• A firm’s Default Risk, the Measurement of the Chances of the Event GMAT Reading Comprehension
• There is Hardly a Corporation that Does Not have a PR GMAT Reading Comprehension
• Transportation Developments have Greatly Influenced the Pace GMAT Reading Comprehension
• Adverse Selection may be Making Health Insurance Prohibitively Expensive GMAT Reading Comprehension
• As Technology Continues to Progress, New Avenues Open for the Implementation GMAT Reading Comprehension
• To Maximize Profits, An Employer Should Control his or her Environment GMAT Reading Comprehension
• Is it Possible to Decrease Inflation without Causing a Recession GMAT Reading Comprehension