Tuesday March 6, 2012 (Marine Life Zones; Ocean Productivity)

The Launch Pad Tuesday, 3/6/12 Name and briefly describe the three classifications of marine organisms. Plankton (floaters) include all marine organisms that drift with ocean currents. Nekton (swimmers) include all animals capable of moving independently of the ocean currents, by swimming or other means of propulsion. Benthos (bottom dwellers) describe organisms living on or in the ocean bottom.

Assignment Currently Open Summative or Formative Date IssuedDate Due Date Into Grade Speed Last Day WS – Igneous Rocks (Part 1) F2/92/13 WS – Sedimentary Rocks (Part 1) F2/152/17 Quiz 20S12/17 2/243/9 Lab – Metamorphic Rocks F2/22 Video Quiz - Oceans – Earth’s Last Frontier F2/23 Quiz 21S22/24 3/9 TELPAS Writing Sample F2/28 3/13/7 Quiz 22S33/2

Announcements I will be available after school today until 4:45.

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Marine Life Zones

Oceanic Productivity Some regions of the oceans are teeming with life, while other areas seem barren. The reason for this is related to the amount of primary productivity in various parts of the oceans. Primary productivity is the amount of carbon fixed by organisms through the synthesis of organic matter using energy derived from solar radiation (photosynthesis) or chemical reactions (chemosynthesis.)

Oceanic Productivity Two factors influence a region’s photosynthetic productivity: the availability of nutrients the amount of solar radiation The most abundant marine life exists where there is a plentiful supply of nutrients and sunlight.

Oceanic Productivity Primary ocean productivity is the production of organic compounds from atmospheric or aquatic carbon dioxide, principally through the process of photosynthesis. Almost all life on earth is directly or indirectly reliant on primary production. The organisms responsible for primary production are known as primary producers or autotrophs, and form the base of the food chain. In the oceans, photosynthetic phytoplankton are primarily responsible for primary production.

At the base of the ocean food web are single-celled algae and other plant-like organisms known as phytoplankton. Like plants on land, phytoplankton use chlorophyll and other light- harvesting pigments to carry out photosynthesis, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars for fuel. Chlorophyll in the water changes the way it reflects and absorbs sunlight, allowing scientists to map the amount and location of phytoplankton. These measurements give scientists valuable insights into the health of the ocean environment, and help scientists study the ocean carbon cycle.

Oceanic Productivity Productivity in Polar Oceans Because of nutrients rising from deeper water, high- latitude surface waters have high nutrient concentrations. However, low solar energy limits photosynthetic productivity.

Report on Jacques Cousteau and the Calypso