Explanation
- A
Benguela current is a cold current of the Pacific Ocean.
Benguela current is a cold current of the Pacific Ocean. This option is incorrect because the Benguela current is located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Pacific Ocean.
- B
If the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are in a straight line, then this situation is the situation of small tide.
If the Sun, the Earth and the Moon are in a straight line, then this situation is the situation of small tide. This statement is wrong because a straight-line alignment of these three celestial bodies results in spring tides or high tides, not small tides.
- C
Ocean salinity is maximum at the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
Ocean salinity is maximum at the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This option is correct and serves as the key because the highest evaporation rates and atmospheric stability near the tropics create peak salinity levels compared to the equator and poles.
- D
Tide comes on the Earth every day after exactly 12 hours 30 minutes.
Tide comes on the Earth every day after exactly 12 hours 30 minutes. This option is incorrect because tides actually experience a delay of 52 minutes each day due to the moon's revolution around the Earth, recurring roughly every 12 hours and 26 minutes rather than 30 minutes.
Summary. Official key is (c) Ocean salinity is maximum at the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Option (a) misplaces the Benguela current in the Pacific instead of the Atlantic. Option (b) incorrectly associates a straight-line celestial alignment with small tides instead of spring tides. Option (d) inaccurately states the tidal delay as 12 hours 30 minutes instead of the actual 12 hours 26 minutes. Option (c) is the correct and comprehensive statement regarding global oceanography and latitudinal salinity distribution.