Zonation in the Ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufxGw8EqY5Q
Marine Zones Learning Objective: Understand how the ocean is divided into zones, and why those zones exist.
Vocabulary Marine: ocean (salt water) Salinity: the measurement of salt content in the water Climate: the year-to-year weather patterns Ecosystem: A number of species living and interacting with each other as well as their environment
Think-Pair-Share Is every part of the ocean the same? Why or why not?
The ocean is a very big place! Some parts of the ocean are warm, others cold. Some parts are full of life, and in others life is scarce. Some areas are more influenced by waves, light, salt and other nutrients than others Scientists needed ways to divide up the ocean into areas based on these different factors
Zones based on Climate The ocean, like the land, can be divided into regions based on climate (year-to-year patterns)
Polar Marine Ecosystems Found at both the Arctic and Antarctic poles. The least salty ocean, but salinity levels are consistent year-round Temperatures are very cold year-round (the water is about 28o F) The Arctic Ocean
Temperate Marine Regions The “middle” of each hemisphere (where we live) Water temperatures vary greatly with seasons Salinity varies greatly with seasons
Tropical Marine Regions Found only around the equator Saltiest water Warmest water, year-round Very little change in temperatures
Annual Mean Surface Temperatures (Celcius)
Salinity is highly impacted by currents
Local Marine Regions In a particular area, the ocean can be divided up into several different regions, based on different factors: Light Proximity to the shore Proximity to the bottom Depth/Salinity/Temperature
Light Photic zone = the region of the ocean that light can reach. In the open ocean, the Photic Zone ends at about 200 m (about 650 feet) Aphotic zone = the region of the ocean where light cannot reach, but life here relies on nutrients from above Abyssal zone = the region at the very bottom of only some parts of the ocean which does not rely on food generated through photosynthesis.
Proximity to the Shore Intertidal zone = the area of the ocean that touches the shore. This area changes with the tides. Neritic zone = the relatively shallow area of ocean near the shore Oceanic or Pelagic zone = the part of the ocean that never comes into contact with land. Pelagic Bait Ball
Proximity to the Bottom Benthic Zone = The area of water that is on or near the bottom ROV on the ocean floor Pelagic Zone = The area of water that never comes into contact with the bottom or the shore
Regions based on Depth, Temperature and Salinity
Regions based on Depth, Temperature, and Salinity Epipelagic – The Sunlight Zone Epi = Above Mesopelagic – The Twilight Zone Meso = Middle Bathypelagic – The Midnight Zone Bathy = Deep Abyssopelagic – The Abyss Abysso = Bottomless Hadalpelagic – The Trenches Hadal = Hell (Hades) Baiting the Ocean Floor
Compare and Share Partner A: How would life be different for an organism living in the benthic zone to an organism in the pelagic zone? Partner B: How would life be different for an organism living in the photic zone to an organism living in the aphotic zone?
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!
Now label your own diagram!