1. Earth Systems, Structures and Processes 8.E.1.2 Summarize evidence that Earth’s oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms: Estuaries Estuaries Marine ecosystems Marine ecosystems Upwelling Upwelling Behavior of gases in the marine environment Behavior of gases in the marine environment Deep ocean technology and understandings gained Deep ocean technology and understandings gained

2. Earth’s Oceans More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by ocean water. Most of the ocean floor has not been explored because it is so vast and deep. There are many similarities in features between the ocean floor and land.

3. One Ocean Earth’s oceans are often split into 5 different ones: Earth’s oceans are often split into 5 different ones: –Atlantic –Pacific –Indian –Southern –Arctic There is actually only one continuous ocean There is actually only one continuous ocean

4. One Ocean Ocean Basin – –Part of Earth’s surface that is covered by ocean water. Pacific is largest and deepest Arctic is coldest and shallowest – –Mostly covered in ice

5. Ocean Floor Ocean floor includes Ocean floor includes –Continental shelf –Continental slope –Mid-ocean ridge –Rift valleys –Trenches

6. Ocean Floor Most of the ocean is dark, flat area called the Abyssal plain Most of the ocean is dark, flat area called the Abyssal plain Ocean trench is a large V-shaped valley Ocean trench is a large V-shaped valley Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges –Some of the mountain ranges reach above the water to form islands. Ocean floor mapping video Ocean floor mapping video Ocean floor mapping video Ocean floor mapping video

7. Ocean Composition Most of the Earth’s water is not drinkable (potable) because of the salt. Most of the Earth’s water is not drinkable (potable) because of the salt. –Why can’t we drink salt water? Why can’t we drink salt water?Why can’t we drink salt water? Even though the ocean is fed by fresh water, because of the salt left behind in evaporation, the fresh water quickly becomes salty. Even though the ocean is fed by fresh water, because of the salt left behind in evaporation, the fresh water quickly becomes salty. Underwater volcanoes also add salt. Underwater volcanoes also add salt. –Why is ocean water salty? Why is ocean water salty?Why is ocean water salty?

8. Ocean Composition Salinity Salinity –The saltiness of a body of water –In an ocean, it averages about 3.5% This means that about 3-4% of the water is made up of dissolved salt This means that about 3-4% of the water is made up of dissolved salt Rather than H 2 O only for the water, it is actually: Rather than H 2 O only for the water, it is actually: –H 2 O with about 3-4% NaCl –Salinity levels are lower where fresh water flows into the ocean and higher where there is a greater rate of evaporation Such as near the Equator Such as near the Equator

9. Ocean as a Resource The ocean has been used as a source of food for centuries. The ocean has been used as a source of food for centuries. –Fishing is a major industry in North Carolina Swordfish Swordfish Tuna Tuna Flounder Flounder Shrimp Shrimp Crab Crab Oysters Oysters Scallops Scallops

10. Ocean as a Resource Food resources are often threatened by pollution Food resources are often threatened by pollution –The release of an unwanted substance into the environment –Oil spills Oil spillsOil spills Taking too many resources before they can reproduces is called Overfishing Taking too many resources before they can reproduces is called OverfishingOverfishing Sustainable Resources Sustainable Resources Sustainable Resources Sustainable Resources

11. Marine Ecosystems and Estuaries Almost half of the known species on Earth live in the ocean Almost half of the known species on Earth live in the ocean –That number could be greater due to the vast unknown of the ocean depths –Ocean Depths Ocean DepthsOcean Depths

12. The Ocean’s Producers Marine (Ocean) producers are important to all life on Earth Marine (Ocean) producers are important to all life on Earth Main producers are algae and phytoplankton Main producers are algae and phytoplankton –They live in the upper regions of the ocean and get enough light for photosynthesis Light can not reach deeper into the ocean so there are no producers at deeper levels. Light can not reach deeper into the ocean so there are no producers at deeper levels. –Marine food web

13. The Ocean’s Producers Marine Organisms Marine Organisms Marine Organisms Marine Organisms –Benthos The flora and fauna found on the bottom, or in the bottom sediments, of a sea, lake, or other body of water. The flora and fauna found on the bottom, or in the bottom sediments, of a sea, lake, or other body of water. –Nekton Aquatic animals that are able to swim and move independently of water currents Aquatic animals that are able to swim and move independently of water currents –Plankton Microscopic organisms that float freely with oceanic currents and in other bodies of water. Microscopic organisms that float freely with oceanic currents and in other bodies of water. Plankton is made up of tiny plants (called phytoplankton) and tiny animals (called zooplankton). Plankton is made up of tiny plants (called phytoplankton) and tiny animals (called zooplankton).

14. The Ocean’s Producers Populations of producers can be affected by ocean currents Populations of producers can be affected by ocean currents –Oceanic currents describe the movement of water from one location to another. –Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides. –Ocean currents are driven by wind, water density differences, and tides. –Ocean currents can cause Upwellings Carries cold water from the deep in the ocean up the surface Carries cold water from the deep in the ocean up the surface Winds blowing across the ocean surface push water away. Water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away. Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. Winds blowing across the ocean surface push water away. Water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away. Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. –This water is rich in nutrients from the ocean floor –Producers use the nutrients to increase populations

15. Marine Ecosystems There are three major ecosystems There are three major ecosystems –The Shore –The Open Ocean –The Deep Ocean –Really annoying but very informative video! Really annoying but very informative video!Really annoying but very informative video!

16. Marine Ecosystems The Shore The Shore –The part of the ocean nearest the land –With shallow water, light can reach the bottom of the ocean –Waves create a lot of motion in this area moving sand and mud –This creates Sediment deposits Naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is transported by the action of wind, water, or ice until deposited through gravity. Naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is transported by the action of wind, water, or ice until deposited through gravity. –Tides rise and fall and some creatures thrive such as clams, mussels and worms

17. Marine Ecosystems Photic Zone Photic Zone –Surface layer of the ocean that receives sunlight. Euphotic Zone Euphotic Zone –The uppermost 80 m (260 feet) or more of the ocean, which is sufficiently illuminated to permit photosynthesis by phytoplankton and plants. Ocean Photic Zones Video Ocean Photic Zones Video Ocean Photic Zones Video Ocean Photic Zones Video –(Volume may need to be raised)

18. Marine Ecosystems The Open Ocean The Open Ocean –The vast area of top ocean level that expands from shore to shore –This expands as deep as light is allowed to filter down The sun warms the water at these depths The sun warms the water at these depths –Light is bright enough for photosynthesis –Some of the organisms that thrive here are jellyfish, fish and squid

19. Marine Ecosystems The Deep Ocean The Deep Ocean –Thousands of meters below the ocean’s surface The water is very cold The water is very cold –Openings in the ocean floor release heat called Hydrothermal Vents –Small ecosystems exist around these vents –They rely on organisms called autotrophs that make their own food No light filters down so photosynthesis can not take place –Because of this, Chemosynthesis takes place   Process of using energy stored in chemical bonds instead of sunlight to produce food

20. Ocean Acifidication Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.pHEarthcarbon dioxideatmospherepHEarthcarbon dioxideatmosphere Carbonic Acid Carbonic Acid –A chemical compound with the chemical formula H2CO3 –It is also a name sometimes given to solutions of carbon dioxide in water, because such solutions contain small amounts of H2CO3 –Contributes to the increase in the ocean’s pH

21. Estuaries Estuary Estuary –A body of water in which freshwater from a river meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean – –Known as inlets, bays, harbors, lagoons and sounds Examples are Boston Harbor, Chesapeake Bay, Pamlico Sound, and Albemarle Sound – –Salinity levels change based upon tides, wind direction and storms

22. Estuaries Often protected from ocean waves by land features. Often protected from ocean waves by land features. –Barrier Islands, Reefs, Sand spits –Rich in nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and minerals –Can be used a nurseries for many animals including some ocean animals that come to breed Reservoir Reservoir –A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply.

23. Neuse River Kayaking Kayaking Kayaking Lower Neuse River 1 Lower Neuse River 1 Lower Neuse River 1 Lower Neuse River 1 Lower Neuse River 2 Lower Neuse River 2 Lower Neuse River 2 Lower Neuse River 2 Rachel Carson Reserve Rachel Carson Reserve Rachel Carson Reserve Rachel Carson Reserve