Objective 8.11D: Recognize human dependence on ocean systems and explain how human activities such as runoff, artificial reefs, or use of resources have modified these systems.

Marine- refers to anything related to the oceans

Humans depend on the ocean for: Oxygen Weather Food Transportation Recreation

Oxygen Phytoplankton contribute 70-80% of the oxygen to the earth’s atmosphere

Weather Oceans absorb the sun’s heat and distribute the thermal energy to other locations.

Food The ocean is a major food source that provides much of the worlds protein.

Transportation Ships crossing the Earth’s oceans provide an efficient means of transportation of trade goods between the continents.

Recreation The Earth’s oceans are used for recreation such as boating, diving, surfing and sport fishing.

Most of the evaporation in the water cycle occurs from the Earth’s oceans, which cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface.

Human Modification Artificial Reefs- human-made underwater structure typically built to promote marine life USTS Texas Clipper, 473 foot ship, was used at Texas A&M University at Galveston for 30 years. It can now be found underwater at South Padre Island, TX.

Artificial Reefs When humans sink old ships, oil rigs, train cars or other poison-free structures in shallow water, new food webs much like a natural coral reef can develop.

Artificial Reefs One positive way that humans impact the ocean!

Eternal Reefs Eco-friendly underwater burial sites where human remains are used in artificial reefs.

Eternal Reefs

Human Modification Over-fishing- removing fish faster than they can reproduce. Disrupts the food-web Can cause organisms to migrate to other areas Can cause extinction

Runoff Toxic chemicals from factories and cities wash into rivers, and collect in the Earth’s oceans.

Ocean pollution- any harm to the physical, chemical, or biological health of the ocean system

Ocean Pollution Most of the Earth’s oceans have circular currents that create a whirlpool-like point at their center where floating garbage collects.

Most ocean pollution caused by humans originates on land.

Pollution – Oil Spills  Release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution.

Pollution – Oil Spills Oil spills kill and harm a wide variety of species in our oceans.

Pollution- Oil Spills

L-O-V-E the Ocean!