The Aquatic Environment

Estuaries A coastal body of water surrounded by land with access to the open ocean. A coastal body of water surrounded by land with access to the open ocean. Salt water marsh Salt water marsh

Estuaries Fed by fresh water rivers and streams. Fed by fresh water rivers and streams. Salinity changes based on precipitation and tides. Salinity changes based on precipitation and tides. Brackish water

Estuaries o Among the most fertile in the world! o o Tidal action keeps nutrients mixed and removes waste o o Wash of nutrients from land empty here o o Shallow water allows for abundance of light to the bottom o o Roots of plants trap detritus matter

Estuaries o o Nursery for Oceanic food web o o Presence of many plants o o Many fin fishes, shell fish and crustacean spend their larval stages here o Ecologically sensitive!

Estuaries o Mangrove o (tropical equivalent to estuaries) o 70% of coast line o Root systems assist in o Preventing erosion o Provide a barrier against storms

The Open Ocean

Hydrosphere Divided into Intertidal Benthic Pelagic: Neritic Province Oceanic Province

Benthic Environment Consists of sand and mud Consists of sand and mud Shallow waters consist of: Shallow waters consist of: Kelp forest Kelp forest Seaweed beds Seaweed beds Coral reefs Coral reefs

Coral reefs are often nutrient poor!

Coral Reefs Considered to be the most diverse of all marine environments Considered to be the most diverse of all marine environments Fish and invertebrates Fish and invertebrates

Neritic Province

Open ocean Open ocean Overlies the Overlies the Continental shelf Continental shelf Shore line to 200m (650 ft.) deep Shore line to 200m (650 ft.) deep Organisms are floaters and swimmers Organisms are floaters and swimmers The Photic zone The Photic zone

Oceanic Province Part of the ocean that covers the deep ocean basin Largest marine environment (75% of Earths water is in this zone)

Oceanic Province Characterized by Characterized by Cold temps Cold temps High hydrostatic pressure High hydrostatic pressure Aphotic Aphotic All of these conditions are constant throughout the year All of these conditions are constant throughout the year

Oceanic Province Occupied by filter feeders, scavengers and predators Occupied by filter feeders, scavengers and predators

Oceanic Province Some invertabrates reach great size: Some invertabrates reach great size: Giant squid reaches up to 18m (59 ft) Giant squid reaches up to 18m (59 ft) Location of thermal vents and ecosystems supported by high pressure, high temps, and acidic water Location of thermal vents and ecosystems supported by high pressure, high temps, and acidic water

The Abyssal Area of the ocean where the temp is cold Area of the ocean where the temp is cold And the pressure is extreme

Fresh Water Ecosystems Characterized by three Zones Characterized by three Zones Littoral Littoral Limnetic Limnetic Profundal Profundal

Fresh Water Ecosystems Littoral zone: Littoral zone: Shallow water areas along shore line this is the most productive zone of the lake Shallow water areas along shore line this is the most productive zone of the lake

Fresh Water Ecosystems Limnetic zone: Limnetic zone: Open water away from the littoral zone. Open water away from the littoral zone. Depth is as far as the light will penetrate Depth is as far as the light will penetrate

Fresh Water Ecosystems Profundal zone: Profundal zone: Non photo layer Non photo layer No algae or other plants No algae or other plants Decomposition area Decomposition area Mineral rich and oxygen deficient Mineral rich and oxygen deficient

Fresh Water Ecosystems Thermal Stratification Thermal Stratification Marked layering of temperatures at different depths Marked layering of temperatures at different depths

Fresh Water Ecosystems Thermal Stratification: Thermal Stratification: In summer cool water stays at bottom. In summer cool water stays at bottom. In fall – as temps cool mixing occurs, causing the water at the bottom to rise in the water column bringing the nutrients with it. In fall – as temps cool mixing occurs, causing the water at the bottom to rise in the water column bringing the nutrients with it.

Thermal Stratification In Spring: In Spring: as ice melts the water reaches 4 0 C. as ice melts the water reaches 4 0 C. Surface water sinks to the bottom and bottom water rises to the surface again. Surface water sinks to the bottom and bottom water rises to the surface again.

Thermal Stratification This will cause the water to have a smell and a different taste to it.