Ocean Technology Notes
How do we study the hydrosphere?
Scientists use technology to monitor oceans, rivers, lakes and
wetlands to obtain data about water quality.
Vocabulary:
1) Remote Sensing - the gathering of information about the Earth
from a distance
2) Ground truthing - the process of sending people to the field to
gather information about the Earth
1. Remote Sensing Technology:
a. Since scientists can’t be everywhere they use remote
sensing by satellites to monitor areas all over the earth.
Many satellites can detect changes in light and energy that
can’t be seen by the eye.
2. Global Positioning System (GPS):
a. GPS’s use satellites to pinpoint locations on Earth
b. The GPS unit on earth communicates with three or more
satellites above the earth and calculates the latitude,
longitude, and elevation and transmits it back to the unit.
This allows monitoring site positions to be mapped
accurately. GPS is also used in cars and by pilots, and in
some cell phones.
3. Geographic Information Systems (GIS):
a. GIS is mapping software that creates different maps for the
same area. Each map contains different information about
the area.
i) GIS helps to map watershed locations accurately
ii) GIS helps map be a good source of information because
the software can add information such as: water quality,
temperature, nitrates, pH, and dissolved oxygen to the
maps
iii) GIS can enter information such as potential pollution
sources
How do we study the ocean?
There are many types of technology and resources that help us learn
more about the ocean. Since the ocean is so vast and has great depth
we are not able to go to the bottom on our own. Using technology is
very helpful. Below is a description of the different types of
technology.
1. Scuba:
a. Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
b. Scuba helps individual divers explore the ocean up to 40
meters deep
2. Sonar:
a. Sound Navigation and Ranging is a method to determine
the depth of the ocean using echoes.
i) How it works:
(1)
A ship sends a sound pulse in the ocean
(2)
The sound pulse bounces off the ocean floor and
returns to the ship
ii) Why it is important:
(1)
Sonar helps map features that are located on the
ocean floor such as: mountains, canyons, trenches.
3. Submersibles/Remotely Operated Vessels (ROV’s):
a. Submersibles and ROV’s help scientist explore the deep
ocean.
b. ROV’s use remote controls to steer and collect samples
c. Some submersibles can carry people in them. For example,
Alvin took scientist to the ocean floor for the first time.
They discovered hydrothermal vents and organisms making
their own food with chemicals from the Earth’s interior
instead of sunlight (chemosynthesis).
4. Satellites:
a. Satellites:
i) Satellites produce images that are used to identify
amounts and locations of:
(1)
Phytoplankton (tiny organisms in the ocean)
a. Plankton data helps scientists understand food
webs in water systems
(2)
Dissolved Organic Chemicals
a. This data shows how nutrients are spread out
(3)
Sediments
a. Sediment data reveals sources of nutrients
ii) Satellite images display ocean water temperatures and
can show the warmer Gulf Stream currents. Monitoring
ocean temperature changes over time help to predict
climate changes like warm ocean currents known as El
Niño events.
iii) Satellite images also can give signals to electronic
buoys that can monitor ocean temperatures, winds,
currents, and air temperatures to predict and monitor El
Niño events
Review:
1. Which technology monitors ocean temperatures? How?
Satellite images monitor ocean temperatures through
computerized buoys floating in the water.
2. Which technology is used to tell your position on earth? How?
GPS tells your position on earth by using satellite images to
calculate longitude, latitude, and altitude.
3. List three types of information that shows up on a satellite
image.
Temperatures, currents, and wind.
4. How does GIS store information?
GIS is a map making software that can store information on a
computer.
5. What type of information can be stored in GIS?
GIS can store location of watersheds, water quality, and pollution
sources.
6. Explain the following: satellite images, plankton, and
computerized buoys.
- satellite images: satellites in space monitor the earth’s waters
- plankton: satellite images can predict plankton (tiny organisms
floating on top of the ocean)
- computerized buoys: monitor ocean temperatures and can
predict weather