this one
Which gas must be fixed by specialized microbes before it can be used by other organisms.
nitrogen
What is the division of the littoral zone between high and low tide?
the intertidal zone
What causes a change in salinity?
- precipitation
- evaporation
- freshwater runoff
gases most readily dissolve in what kind of water?
cold
This layer of the ocean is known as the Twilight Zone, where you may find schools of fish, bioluminescent organisms, and a very small amount of light if any at all.
Which voyager(s) attempted to circumnavigate the world circa 1521?
Ferdinand Magellan began the journey, but he died and Juan Sebastian Elcano completed the voyage
Which voyager had 3 voyages and died in the Hawaiian islands?
This voyager did not attend his fleet's voyages but was credited with compiling detailed charts and opening the west coast of Africa for commerce
Prince Henry the Navigator
Name one way the MS River Watershed influences North America.
- moves 60% of all grain exported from the US
- pathway for 40% nation's migratory birds
- supplies water to 50 cities
- home to 25% fish species
What is the difference between groundwater and surface water?
Groundwater is water stored under the surface in spaces between rocks and sediment called aquifers.
Surface water includes oceans, lakes, rivers, wetlands, estuaries and any bodies of water on the surface of the Earth.
Explain how sonar is used in seafloor mapping.
Why does sand get hotter before the ocean water does?
Sand has a lower heat capacity than water.
Water has a higher heat capacity than sand.
compare and contrast cohesion and adhesion.
Both cohesion and adhesion are an attraction between molecules. Cohesion is the attraction between water molecules, which creates surface tension. Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and molecules of other substances.
Briefly describe each of James Cook's voyages.
1st: took members of the Royal Society to Tahiti & observed Venus crossing over the sun; Great Barrier Reef
2nd: discovered South Georgia, the Sandwich Islands, Tonga and Easter Island
3rd: charted west coast of North America, explored Hawaiian islands, Captain died
What is the relationship between heat and temperature?
Heat is the transfer of energy, whereas temperature is the response to the input or removal of heat
What does it mean to say water is a polar molecule?
Water is a polar molecule because it has opposite charges with a negative charge on the oxygen and positive charge on the hydrogen.
What were the results of the United States Exploring Expedition? What did this do for the United States?
- confirmed Antarctica was a continent
- developed concise map collections
- many artifacts and specimens were collected and brought back to the Smithsonian Institution
- Established natural science as a reputable profession in the US
What causes air to move from one area to another? What happens when this air moves?
Air moves from one area to another when there is a change in pressure. It moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, which can cause cloud formation, precipitation, and storms.
Why is dissolved oxygen an important gas in seawater? Where does most of this dissolved oxygen come from?
Dissolved oxygen is required for life by many marine organisms and for decomposition. Most of this oxygen comes from phytoplankton, photosynthetic algae, marine plants, and the atmosphere.
If only pure water freezes, what happens to the salt in the water when glaciers form? What would happen if the glaciers melted?
When glaciers form, only pure water freezes and the salt mixes with the surrounding water, increasing salinity. The dense salt water sinks to the bottom. If the glaciers melted, pure water would reenter the water column and mix with the salt water, lowering the salinity.
Identify and describe the location your group researched and reported on. Include: climate/weather, circulation cell, two types of storms, and effects of one specific storm.
you tell me
Describe how ocean acidification occurs and how it affects marine life. Use a specific example in your explanation.
Ocean acidification occur when CO2 enters the ocean, binds to H2O, and releases carbonic acid. This carbonic acid prevents the formation of calcium carbonate which is necessary for the survival of many marine organisms including shellfish like oysters. Increased acidity deteriorates oyster shells leaving them vulnerable to prey and disease and prevents them from adequately filtering the water. This affects the quality of the water and the surrounding ecosystem.
Describe how temperature, salinity, and density change as you pass through the the three density zones: Surface Layer, Pycnocline, Deep Layer
In the Surface Layer, salinity is constant, density is low, and temperature is high due to direct contact with the sun. In the pycnocline, you may see a thermocline where temperature changes rapidly. There can also be a halocline where salinity drops rapidly. This is also where you would see an increase in density. Salinity and density are at their highest in the Deep Layer. Here, temperature is very cold as it receives no sunlight at all.
What is the difference between an HOV and an ROV? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? (do you remember any of the examples?)
An HOV is a human occupied vehicle that holds a small crew or an individual. It can be very expensive and have time and depth limitations, but it allows for in person observations. Examples would include HOV Alvin, Deep Sea Challenger, and Trieste. An ROV is a remotely operated vehicle that does not hold a crew or any people. It can go places humans cannot go and stay under water for long periods of time. Examples would include Okeanos Explorer, Deep Discoverer, and Nereid Under Ice.
Imagine a watershed that includes a residential area with a nearby lake, a city with many storm drains, and a small farm. Precipitation falls near the residential area, causing flooding from the lake into the connecting river. The river flows past the farm, through the city, and into the Gulf. Describe what kinds of pollution or materials may enter the watershed and what affects they would have on the life in the Gulf.
You could describe...
- freshwater from the residential lake entering the watershed lowering salinity and changing nutrient levels
- pollution from the city entering the river through storm drains making marine life sick (especially if they eat trash)
- runoff from the farmland entering the watershed bringing nutrients like phosphorus into the Gulf causing a harmful algal bloom and a dead zone