marine and freshwater portions of the biosphere
aquatic life zones
aquatic life zones associated with oceans, shore lines, ect.
saltwater or marine life zones
aquatic systems where water with a dissolved salt concentration of less than 1% by volume accumulate on or flows through the surface of terrestrial biomes
freshwater life zones
small plant organisms and animal organisms that float in aquatic ecosystems
plankton
strongly swimming organisms found in aquatic systems
nekton
bottom-dwelling organisms
benthos
cloudiness in a volume of water; a measure of water clarity in lakes, streams, and other bodies of water
turbidity
warm, nutrient-rich, shallow part of the ocean that extends from the high-tide mark on land to the edge of a shelflike extension of continental land masses known as the continental shelf
coastal zone
land along a coastline, extending inland from an estuary that is covered with saltwater all or part of the year
coastal wetlands
the area of shoreline between low and high tides
intertidal zone
increasing levels of acid in the world's oceans due to their absorption of much of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by human activities, especially the burning of carbon-containing fossil fuels. the CO2 reacts with ocean water to form a weak acid and d
ocean acidification
part of an ocean that lies beyond the continental shelf
open sea
precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground or return to the atmosphere by evaporation or transpiration
surface water
freshwater from precipitation and melting ice that flows of the earth's surface into nearby streams, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs
runoff
land area that delivers water, sediment, and dissolved substances via small streams to a major stream
watershed/drainage basin
What are the major differences between the phosphorus, water, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles?
water is essential to all living processes, while carbon is found in all organic macromolecules
nitrogen and phosphorus are major components of nucleic acids and play major roles in agriculture
sulfur plays a role in the 3D folding of proteins and is releases into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels
What effects do excess chemicals from the biogeochemical cycles have on the environments that they are in contact with?
cause excess growth of microorganisms
deplete dissolved oxygen levels
excess nitrogen and phosphorus can kill many organisms
major storage reservoir for the phosphorus cycle
mining waste, sewage, fertilizer, ocean/sediment, food webs
major storage reservoir for the water cycle
oceans, glaciers, groundwater, lakes, soil moisture, wetlands, living organisms, atmosphere, and rivers
major storage reservoir for the carbon cycle
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, fossil fuels, and food webs
major storage reservoir for the nitrogen cycle
atmosphere, ocean sediments, soil, and food webs
major storage reservoir for the sulfur cycle
burning coal releases sulfur dioxide into atmosphere
How are the biogeochemicals and byproducts from each cycle introduced into various portions of the environment: atmosphere, water, soil etc.
geological processes, such as weathering, erosion, water drainage, and the movement of continental plates all play a role in recycling of materials
the recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their environment
how do humans intervene and add to the effects of the phosphorus cycle
removal of large amounts of phosphate from the earth to make fertilizer, reduce phosphate level in tropical soils, topsoil that has eroded from fertilized areas carries large quantities of phosphate ions into streams, lakes, and oceans which produces a large amount of algae
how do humans intervene and add to the effects of the water cycle
increases runoff on lands covered with crops buildings and pavement, over pumping aquifers, increases runoff from cutting forests and filling wetlands, water pollution
how do humans intervene and add to the effects of the carbon cycle
forest fires, deforestation, transportation, burning fossil fuels
how do humans intervene and add to the effects of the nitrogen cycle
commercial nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen oxides from burning fuel and using inorganic fertilizers, nitrates and fertilizer runoff and decomposition, ammonia in the soil, nitrogen loss to deep ocean sediments
how do humans intervene and add to the effects of the sulfur cycle
smelting, coal burning, refining fossil fuels, mining extraction, sulfuric acid and sulfate deposited as acid rain
H2S gas produced by anaerobic decomposers of flooded swamps
swamp gas
how does nitrogen fixation occur
conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms useful to plants by bacteria and cyanobacteria, nitrogen gets fixed when it is combined oxygen or hydrogen
major processes in the water cycle
evaporation, condensation, precipitation
the process of a liquid's surface changing to a gas
evaporation
the process of a gas changing to a liquid
condensation
describes any liquid or solid water that falls to Earth as a result of condensation in the atmosphere
precipitation
a few characteristics of water
exist in 3 forms
Cohesive/ adhesive properties
Solid form less dense than liquid
Universal solvent
Polar substance
Heat capacity
Filters UV radiation
Wide temp. Range
what are ecological tipping points
Point at which an environmental problem reaches a threshold level, which causes an often irreversible shift in the behavior of a natural system
long term threats of coral reefs
climate change and ocean acidification
benefits of coral reefs
act as natural barriers to protect 15% of world's coastlines, provide habitat for 1/4 of marine organisms, produce 1/10 of global fish catch
what do coral reefs need to survive
algae, sunlight, not too acidic water, temperature between 18-30? (warm)
two aquatic life zones
marine and freshwater
crabs, oysters, plankton, swordfish, sharks, bluefin tuna, worms, clams, sponges
marine life zone organisms
rooted plants, turtles, frogs, crayfish, bass, perch, carp, plankton, pond snail, diving beetle, bloodworms, northern pike, muskrat, blue-winged teal, trout, algae, mosses, black bass, cyanobacteria, otters, beavers, migratory waterfowl
freshwater life zone organisms
large natural body of standing freshwater formed when water from precipitation, land runoff, or groundwater flow fills a depression in the earth created by glaciation, earth movement, volcanic activity, or a giant meteorite
lakes
lakes with a low supply of plant nutrients
oligotrophic lakes
lake with a large or excessive supply of plant nutrients, mostly nitrates and phosphates
eutrophic lakes
overnourishment of aquatic ecosystems with plant nutrients because of human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and discharges from industrial islands and sewage treatments
cultural eutrophication
lake with a moderate supply of plant nutrients
mesotrophic lakes
land away from the coast, such as a swamp, marsh, or bog, that is covered all or part of the time with freshwater
inland wetlands
specific examples of benthos
osyters, sea stars, worms, clams, lobsters, crabs
feed on phytoplankton and other zooplankton, range in size, single-celled protozoa and jellyfish
zooplankton
drifting organism, algae, producers that make up the base of most aquatic food chains and webs, produce half of earth's oxygen on which we depend on
phytoplankton
second group of plankton, producers and photosynthetic
ultraplankton
specific examples of nekton
fish, turtles, whales
brightly lit upper zone, drifting plankton carry about 40% of world's photosynthetic activity, nutrient levels are low, dissolved oxygen levels are high, large and fast swimming predatory fish like swordfish, sharks, and bluefin tuna, feed on secondary co
euphotic zone
where ocean currents driven by coastal winds or by differences of water temperature at different depths bring water up from the deepest waters, carry nutrients from the ocean bottom to the surface for producers to use so these areas contain high nutrients
upwelling zone
dimly lit middle zone, little sunlight, not photosynthesizing producers, zooplankton and small fishes
bathyal zone
dark and cold lowest zone, no sunlight, little dissolved oxygen, high nutrient levels, organisms get food from dead and decaying organisms called marine snow, worms and deposit feeders that take mud into their guts and extract nutrients, oysters and clams
abyssal zone
warm, nutrient rich, shallow water that extends from high-tide mark on land to the gently sloping shallow edge of the continental shelf, less than 10% of ocean's area, 90% of all marine species, large commercial fisheries, estuaries, coastal marshes, mang
coastal zone
marine system ecosystem services
oxygen through photosynthesis, water purification, climate moderation, CO2 absorption, nutrient cycling, reduced storm damage, biodiversity
marine system economic services
food, energy from waves and tides, pharmaceuticals, harbors and transportation routes, recreation and tourism, employment, minerals
organisms that drift
plankton
organisms that swim
nekton
organisms that crawl/cling
benthos
four oceans
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic
largest ocean
Pacific
lakes, rivers, streams, inland wetlands
freshwater ecosystems
oceans, estuaries, coastlands/shorelines, coral reefs, mangrove forests
marine ecosystems
causes of ocean acidification
ocean absorbs too much carbon dioxide, global warming
ocean acidification carbon cycle correlation
due to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there is an increase in dissolved carbon dioxide in the water. the excess carbon dioxide comes from human activities like burning fossil fuels
cluster of trees and shrubs in tidal coasts that reduce storm impact
mangroves
flowering plants in marine ecosystems, important part of diet, hiding place from predators, produce a lot of oxygen and pull out a lot of carbon dioxide
seagrass
low, narrow, sandy islands that form offshore, reduce storm impact
barrier islands
narrow strip of beach and sand dunes, support marine organisms
barrier beaches
problem with fish trawlers
dragged on the bottom of the ocean so destroyed the organisms' habitats
examples of inland wetlands
marshes, swamps, prairie potholes, flood plains
4 zones of a lake
littoral, limnetic, profundal, benthic
Top layer of lakes; near the shore and consists of the shallow sunlit waters to the depth at which rooted plants stop growing; high level of biodiversity- rooted plants and animals such as turtles, frogs, crayfish, bass, perch, and carp
littoral zone
Open, sunlit surface layer away from the shore that extends to the depth penetrated by sunlight; main photosynthetic zone of the lake; animals- phytoplankton, zooplankton, and large species of fish
limnetic zone
A layer of deep, open water where it is too dark for photosynthesis; oxygen levels are low- cooler and darker water; animals- some adaptable fish
profundal zone
Bottom layer of the lake; nourished mainly by dead matter and sediment washing into the lake; animals- decomposers detritus feeders, some fish species (benthos)
benthic zone
Human effects on freshwater ecosystems
made dams and canals restrict the flows of about 40% of the world's largest 237 largest rivers
control levees and dikes built along rivers disconnect the rivers from their floodplains, destroy aquatic habitats, and alter or degrade the functions of adjoining wetlands
add pollutants and excess plant nutrients to streams, rivers, and lakes
inland wetlands have been drained or filled to grow crops or have been covered with concrete, asphalt, and buildings
A lake with a small supply of plant nutrients; deep with steep banks; crystal clear water and small populations of phytoplankton and fish species; animals- smallmouth bass and trout; low NPP
oligotrophic lake
A lake with a large supply of nutrients; shallow with murky brown or green water with high turbidity; animals- carp and bass; high NPP
eutrophic lake
three river zones
source, transition, floodplain
Narrow, headwater streams that are usually cold, clear, and swiftly flowing; flow over obstacles; large amount of dissolved oxygen (DO); lack of nutrients and primary producers; nutrients primarily come from organic matter; organisms: cold-water fish (tro
source zone
Headwater streams merge to form wider, deeper, and warmer streams that flow down gentler slopes with fewer obstacles; more turbid with sediment; warmer water; organisms: producers and cool- water and warm- water fish species (black bass)
transition zone
Streams join into wider and deeper rivers that flow across broad, flat valleys; higher temperatures and less dissolved oxygen; muddy and contains high concentrations of suspended particulate matter (silt), organisms: algae, cyanobacteria, and rooted aquat
floodplain zone
Half of coastal wetlands lost to agriculture and urban development; over ? of mangrove forests lost to agriculture, aquaculture, and development; beaches eroding due to development and rising sea levels; ocean-bottom habitats degraded by dredging and traw
harmful impacts on marine ecosystems
Ocean warming; rising ocean acidity; soil erosion; algae growth from fertilizer runoff; bleaching, increased UV exposure; damage from anchors and from fishing and diving
harmful impact of coral reefs
Chesapeake Bay Case Study
Largest estuary in the U.S.
Polluted since 1960
Large population increase
Point and nonpoint sources raised pollution
Phosphate and nitrate levels too high
Excess sediments from runoff and decreased vegetation
Oysters, a keystone species, greatly reduced
1983: Chesapeake Bay Program
Integrated coastal management with local, state, and federal governments, as well as citizens' groups
2008 update:
25 years and $6 billion
Program failed to meet goals
freshwater systems ecological services
climate moderation; nutrient cycling; waste treatment; flood control; groundwater recharge; habitats for many species; genetic resources and biodiversity; scientific information
freshwater systems economic services
Food; drinking water; irrigation water; hydroelectricity; transportation corridors; recreation; employment
organisms in littoral zone
painted turtle, green frog, blue-winged teal, muskrat, pond snail
organisms in limnetic zone
yellow perch, diving beetle, plankton, northern pike
organisms in profundal zone
adaptable fish species
organisms in benthic zone
decomposers detritus feeders, some fish species (benthos), bloodworms
Coastal deltas, mangrove forests, and coastal wetlands provide natural protection against ________
storms
ecosystem and economic services of inland wetlands
Filter and degrade toxic wastes
Reduce flooding and erosion
Help to replenish streams and recharge groundwater aquifers
Biodiversity
Food and timber
Recreation areas
effects of solar energy on aquatic ecosystem
Using more solar energy and less fossil fuels, we could drastically cut pollution of aquatic systems and CO2 emissions that are causing ocean warming and ocean acidification.
effects of chemical cycling on aquatic ecosystems
By reusing and recycling more of the materials and chemicals we use, we could further reduce pollution and disruption of the chemical cycling within aquatic systems.
effects of biodiversity on aquatic ecosystems
By learning more about aquatic biodiversity and its importance, we could go a long way toward preserving it and sustaining its valuable ecosystem services.
coral bleaching
When coral reefs turn white and begin the slow, dying process
Due to increasing, hotter temperatures of the oceans
Marine organisms lose their homes/ habitats and food source when coral bleaching occurs
the amount of salt or the amount of dissolved salt in a body of water
salinity
distribution of aquatic organisms is because of _______
salinity
low nutrients = low or high NPP
low NPPlow
do clear lakes have high or low NPP
low NPP
do murky lakes have high or low NPP
high NPP