Oceanography Notes
I.
Oceanographya. the scientific study of the ocean using chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and other sciences
b. oceans cover more than 70% of earth’s surface
II.
Properties of Ocean Water
Layers- Deeper you go the less light there is available SEE DIAGRAM IN POWERPOINT.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
III.
IV.
Sunlight zone
Twilight zone
Midnight zone
Abyss
Trenches
Surface to Bottom
b. Salinity-a measure of the dissolved salts in water
i. varies from place to place
ii. deeper more salt
c. Water Mass-a body of water with distinct properties based on where it originates
d. Seawater contains > (more than) 70 elements
i. Nitrogen (photosynthesis)
ii. Calcium (hard shells)
e. Temperature
i. gets colder with depth and flattens out at about 2°C at 1500 meters deep
Ocean Life
a. Phytoplankton- single celled protists (do photosynthesis)-PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCE
b. Zooplankton- small microscopic animals that eat phytoplankton or smaller zooplankton
The Ocean Floor
a. Studied and mapped using
i. Echo Sounding- sonar is used to find the distance to the ocean floor.
ii. Core Sampling- samples using a long hollow instrument removes a cylinder of material
iii. Satellites- use radar that detect differences in ocean surface levels
b. The continental margin- the underwater portion of the continental crust
SEE DIAGRAM IN POWERPOINT.
i. Three parts
1. Continental shelf-extends from the shore line (gradual drop)
2. Continental slope-very steep drop in ocean depth
3. Continental rise-gradual slope to the ocean floor
c. Ocean Basin (floor)
i. abyssal plain- the flattest of all earth’s surface areas
ii. abyssal hills- small rolling hills near oceanic ridge systems