Ocean Zones
The top layer of the ocean that receives the most sunlight.
What is the photic zone?
An organism that drifts with the ocean.
What is plankton?
What type of ecosystem is formed at the meeting point of a river and an ocean, characterized by brackish water and serving as a vital habitat for various species?
What is estuary?
The process in which cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean depths rises to the surface.
What is upwelling?
Can provide information on sea surface temperature, ocean currents, and monitor changes in the Earth's oceans from space.
What is a satellite?
The zone that lies between the high tide and low tide.
What is the intertidal zone?
An organism that can live on the ocean floor in the shallow area and in the deep ocean.
What is a benthos?
Name one of the key functions of estuaries that makes them essential for the life cycles of many marine species.
What is provide protection and nutrients to young fish?
The direction the winds need to travel to promote upwelling off of the coast.
What is south and west?
An underwater vessel is capable of carrying humans and equipment into the depths of the ocean for scientific research or exploration.
What is a submarine?
The zone where most living organisms can be found.
What is the neritic zone?
Type of organism responsible for conducting photosynthesis and providing oxygen to the ocean.
What is phytoplankton.
Which term describes the mixing of freshwater from a river with the more dense saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique and dynamic environment in estuaries?
What is brackish water?
Temperature of the water when upwelling is taking place in the ocean.
What is colder surface temp?
Technology, often used in submarines, emits sound waves to navigate and detect objects underwater.
What is SONAR?
The zone that refers to the ocean floor.
What is the benthic zone?
Majority of organisms that can swim on their own against the ocean current.
What is nekton?
Can cause an estuary and surrounding areas to be shut down until stability within the estuary has been restored.
What are pathogens?
Reason oxygen levels will increase drastically due to upwelling.
What is phytoplankton reproduces quicker in nutrient rich water?
Gear allows divers to explore the underwater world.
What is Scuba gear?
The zone that brings the nutrients to the surface of the ocean during upwelling.
What is the aphotic zone?
Small organisms that consume phytoplankton.
What is zooplankton?
Identify one human activity that can negatively impact estuarine ecosystems, leading to pollution and degradation of these vital coastal areas.
What is industrial runoff or improper waste disposal into estuaries?
Zone that is most benefited from upwelling.
What is the photic zone?
Technique to verify information collected from satellites by confirming the data at the location.
What is ground truthing?