Intro to Oceanography

What is Oceanography? The scientific study of the ocean and its inhabitants

Marine Biology – biological discipline; focused on the biology and physiology of marine organisms

Shouldn’t our planet be called “Water” rather than “Earth”?

Maximum depth: ca. 11,022 m (Trieste) (Land: Mt Everest 8,848 m) ~71% of the earth’s surface are oceans Maximum depth: ca. 11,022 m (Trieste) (Land: Mt Everest 8,848 m) Average depth: ca. 3800 m Total volume: 1370 x 106 km3 Presents 300 times space for life than land and freshwater combined. 

Only 2% of human food originates from the oceans but present 20% of high quality protein nutrition Still recent NASA scientist said: “We now know more about the backside of the moon than about the depths of our oceans.”

Marine vs. Terrestrial Life Organisms – similar density as environment (salt water) less energy to float/swim… small effect of gravity Organisms – much higher density than air. High gravity impact (fall down)

Need strong skeletal material (animals: bones; trees: trunks) May become water limited Temperature varies strongly Water supports bodies, no need to put energy in skeletons Plenty of water for life  Temperature variation low

High nutrient concentrations in natural soils Light limited: reflection of light at sea surface and rapid light absorption with water depth Nutrient limited: nitrate, phosphate, silicate, iron Light energy substantially higher than in aquatic systems, low absorption by air High nutrient concentrations in natural soils

Nutrient cycling in soil close to plant uptake Physically stable environment Major part of nutrient cycling in the dark deep-sea Physically unstable habitats