Introduction Video qs

Characteristics Covers ¾ of the Earth The larges Biome Thousands of species

Climate Wet The atmospheric climate effects the oceans very little. However, the ocean’s water temperature and currents has a direct effect on the mainland.

Temperature The ocean temperature is colder at the poles and warmer towards the equator because the sun is closer towards the equator. Solar heating also causes water to expand. Ex. Near the equator the water level is approximately 8cm higher than northern or southern latitudes.

Currents The part of a body of water that has a continuous onward movement. Kinds of currents – Surface currents (also known as rip currents make up 10% of ocean currents) – Deep water currents (make up 90% of currents) Currents can drastically change mainland weather

Tides Tides are the daily or twice daily rise and fall of the oceans that are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the ocean. High tides, called spring tides and formed when the earth, sun, and the moon and lined up in a row. This happens every two weeks during a new moon or full moon. Smaller tides, called neap tides, are formed when the sun, moon, and earth form a right angle.

Tide diagram

Trenches Deepest part of the ocean Are also called submarine valleys Formed as a result of plate tectonics (the movement of Earth’s crust) Extreme pressure No plant life The only exploration is deep sea robots The deepest place on Earth is the Challenger Deep located in the Mariana Trench

Trench organisms Animals eat decomposed bodies that sink to the bottom. All organisms must conserve energy Some fish have gas filled swim bladders

Underwater plant life! There are two general types of plants found in the ocean – Those having roots attaching to the sea floor – Ones without roots that drift throughout the water The most abundant plant in the ocean are known as phytoplankton

Fishy fishys… There are approximately 27,000 species of known fish It is the most diverse group of vertebra Scientist estimate there are still thousands of fish yet to be discovered. Many fish can change sex within the course of their lives (Clown fish)

Sea mammals Have all the same characteristics of land mammals To keep warm most of them depend on a thick layer of blubber or fat The do breathe oxygen They have more blood than land mammals so they can direct blood flow to vital organs. All marine mammals are protected in the united states

Sea mammals (Continued!) There are five groups of marine mammals: – Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, walruses) – Cetaceans (Whales, dolphins, porpoises) – Sea otters – Sirenians (dugongs and manatees) – Polar bears

Vacation spots Cruises – They are the most polluting tourism sector – They produce at least 17% of all emissions of Nitrogen Oxide – They also destroy coral reefs Snorkeling / scuba diving – Destroy coral reefs by touching, breaking off pieces, and unintentionally dragging gear over them.

Human impacts 14 billion lbs of litter is dumped into the ocean each year. Overfishing has been a problem in oceans since the early 1800s 85 species have gone extinct because of over fishing and hundreds have been endangered

Fun facts o The salt in the ocean comes from the rocks on land that gets swept into the ocean o There is about one cup of salt for every gallon of seawater. o The largest of the marine biomes is the Pacific Ocean. o The Marine Biome is home to the larges known mammal of the world, the blue whale. o Humans have only explored 10% of the marine biome. o The majority of volcanic activity occurs in the marine biome.