abiotic
Non-living things
what are the three main abiotic components of the ocean?
water chemistry, geology, and physical factors
water chemistry
for every thousand units of seawater, 35 would be salt. the salts are 85% sodium chloride, and the rest being ions such as sulfate, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Seawater also contains trace minerals, dissolved gasses (mostly oxygen and carbon dioxide), and nutrients
geology
the outer crust of the earth, is separated into plates that move slowly but constantly, also called plate tectonics, oceanic and continental plates interact all over the planet creating underwater mountain ranges, volcanoes, trenches, and other formations.
what are the physical factors?
pressure, oxygen, water movement, temperature, light, and nutrient availability
pressure rate
there is an increase of about 1 atmospheres every 10 meters of depth
oxygen in the ocean
there is gas exchange at the surface and since cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm, currents do carry oxygen-rich waters to the bottom
water movement includes...
cycles like currents, tides, and waves
ocean temperature
at the surface, water temp is affected by location and below the surface, there are layers of water with differing temperatures called thermoclines
thermoclines
oceanic water layers in which water temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth
ocean light
below 200 meters there is not enough light for photosynthesis
nutrient availability
nutrients are substances that organisms need to grow and live, like nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon
ocean exploration is...
-about making discoveries-is disciplines-systematic-includes observations and documentation of biological, chemical, physical, geological, and archaeological aspects of our ocean
unlocking ocean mysteries can reveal...
new sources for medical drugs, food, energy sources, and other products. it can also predict earthquakes, tsunamis, and effect of earths climate and atmosphere
technological advances for ocean exploration
SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus), submarines and HOV's (human-occupied vehicle, ROV's (remotely operated vehicle), and AUV's (autonomous underwater vehicle)
SCUBA
1900s- self-contained apparatus and on-demand regulator was available to public. Humans have a good deal of buoyancy, so scuba divers weighted themselves but had to be careful of diving and surfacing due to pressure.
buoyancy
the ability of an object to float in a liquid
submarines and HOV's
makes it able for humans to go underwater in the water craft. Both have a hard shell for pressure, and can change the amount of air or water in their ballast tanks to regulate buoyancy. They provide in person, up close view that is difficult to replicate from the waters surface.
ROV
Unmanned robots controlled by a pilot at the surface connected by a tether. Reduces the risk to humans it increases time that can be spent exploring harsher environments. They can collect samples of organisms and sediments, take photos and video, and scan with sonar to collect data
AUV
Unmanned robots controlled by onboard computers. Can be pre-programmed to collect data in certain areas without real time control by humans
what is the pressure rate in pounds per square inch?
at sea level, air around us exerts 14.5 pounds psi. Below sea level level, for Every 33 feet you to send, pressure increases by 14.5 psi
how do you find pressure?
1- The relationship between depth and pressure is linear so we are going to use f(x)=mx + b- x = depth (IV)- f(x) = pressure- m = slope (rate of pressure change)- slope = 14.5/33 or 0.4394 or 0.44- b = y-int, the spot where depth is 0 or sea level where pressure is 14.5 pounds psiSo, f(x) = 0.44x + 14.52- Set up a graph- IV (depth) goes on x-axis- DV (pressure) goes on y-axis- plot y-intercept3- Pick a depth other than 0- plug that in for x and solve f(x). - this gives you pressure at the depth you chose 4- plot your second point- you can draw a straight line through these point
Why do scientist use models
it allows them to make accurate inferences. They are used to better understand and represent ideas about real world systems. Some parts of the ocean are difficult or nearly impossible to explore firsthand
What are the three types of models
Physical, conceptual, and mathematical
Physical model
Representations of the systems being studied on a smaller scale. Example would be globe
Conceptual model
Ideas that may be represented by writing, sketching, drawings etc. Describes some aspect of the system being studied in order to explain it or communicate information
Mathematical model
Set of equations used to represent systems or events
What are the benefits of models
Easier and less expensive, ability to test in redesign experiments quickly, and ability to simulate a smaller portion or a larger system
What are the limits of models
Must assume some simplifications of complex issues, not applicable to all situations, some boundaries and limits identified
what are the three steps to Making a model
- collect data- One Way being sonar beam sound waves that bounce off the seafloor in back to the receiver- analyze data- Scientists organize data into charter tables to help identify patterns and prepare a data for a computer modeling software- Creating a model- A computer program can generate a colored 3-D image of the ocean floor. These can be used to a study plate tectonics, currents, map wildlife habitats etc.