Understanding Currents Current Video Hook

Understanding Currents Bill Nye- Currents Video

Understanding Currents What do currents do? –Move water around the Earth –Distribute heat and nutrients What two types of currents are there? –Surface and deep ocean currents What happens every 3 to 7 years when winds do not blow strong enough? –El Nino

Understanding Tides Bay of Fundy Clip

Understanding Currents How often do the tides occur? –Every day What causes tides? –The gravity from the sun and moon Tides can be used to generate… –Electricity

Intertidal Zone Untamed Science- Intertidal Zone Untamed Science- Intertidal Zone

Intertidal Zone

What is the intertidal zone? Area between highest high tide (spring) and lowest low tide (neap)

2 Types of Intertidal Zones Based on substrate: Rocky Intertidal –Western Coast of US, Eastern Canada and New England Sandy Intertidal –Eastern and Gulf Coasts of US

Abiotic Factors Exposure to air –Threat of high temp. –Higher organisms live in intertidal, more time exposed Desiccation – drying out –Clam up –Run and hide

Wave shock –Bigger problem along rocky shores –Hits headland the hardest

Wave Refraction

Other Challenges Feeding Restrictions –Filter feeders cannot eat when tide is out Predators –More difficult to hide when tide is out Salinity fluctuations –Decreases with rain –Increases with evaporation

Intertidal Zone More on the Intertidal Zone More on the Intertidal Zone