Why is there more oxygen and carbon dioxide near the surface of the ocean than near the ocean floor?
a. organisms near the ocean floor cannot process these gases, so there is more gas at the surface.
b. the salinity of ocean water traps these gases and prevents them from escaping into the atmosphere.
c. organisms near the surface do not use up these gases, so there is more gas at the surface.
d. the exchange of these gases between water and the atmosphere occurs more readily at the surface.

Option (D)

Explanation:

The ocean and the atmosphere comprising various gases constantly interact with each other transferring heat energy. As the wind blows over the surface of the ocean it produces waves that mix up with the air more readily, as a result of which the gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide is transferred from the air to the upper surface of the ocean. These gas composition are comparatively lighter, as a result of which they are available in the upper portion of the ocean and do not sink to the bottom.

Due to this, there occurs more oxygen and carbon dioxide near the ocean surface in comparison to the bottom of the ocean.

Thus, the correct answer is option (D).