MARINE BIOLOGY

We will be covering the following units: Importance of Oceans Estuaries Tides and Tide Pools The Chemistry of Water Kelp Forest Marine Geology Open Ocean

Unit 1: Importance of Oceans Why is the ocean important? Take five minutes to look through your book and write down three answers to this question

The oceans absorb Carbon Dioxide The oceans absorb a quarter of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere in an attempt to reach equilibrium by direct air-to-sea exchange. Once dissolved in the ocean, a carbon atom will stay there, on average, more than 500 years ~Michael McElroy

Oceans provide fresh water How? As water evaporates it leaves the salt behind… is rain salty?

The Dead Sea

Phytoplankton produce half the worlds oxygen What are phytoplankton? Oceans provide Oxygen Phytoplankton produce half the worlds oxygen What are phytoplankton?

Oceans moderate Global Temperatures Water holds heat Ocean currents circulate equatorial heat to polar regions

Ocean Currents

http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/renewable-energy-resources/oceanbig.shtml