Exploring oceans and Hazardous Earth- Geographical debates- Geography a level OCR paper 3

What is the difference between oceans and seas?

Seas are partso f the ocean that are met by landf or surroounded by an area of land such as the gulf of Mexico and Sea of Japan whilst oceans are large bodies of water that approxiamately make up 70.8% of earth

What is the continental shelf?

Is a broad realtively shallow submarine terrace of continental crust forming the edge of continental land mass

What is a continental slope?

This is a slope that is deepening sea floor out from the shelf edge to the upper limit of the continental rise with this average slope havign a narrow band of 41km wide

What is a abyssal plain?

Is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor usually found at depths between 3,00-6,000 below sea level covering 50% of the earth's surface

What is an ocean ridge?

an underwater mountain system formed by plate tectonics with a typical depth of around 2,600 metres and rises about 2,000 metres above the deepest portion of the ocean basin

What is an ocean trench?

Are prominent long, narrow and topographic depressions of the ocean floor being typically 50-100km wide and 3-4 km below ocean floor

What is a guyot?

Is a underwater mountain sometimes referred as seamounts formed by volcanic activity and can be taller than 10,000 feet and more than 2000m below sea surface

Why does the salinity of oceans vary in different places?

Oceans salinity levels varies in different parts of the ocean because of temperature with oceans at equator having less salinity than oceans away from the equator like Atlantic ocean also the temperatures in northern and the southern hemisphere have less salinity as more of it is frozen and can be found in more the large ice masses

What is salinity?

Salinity is the amount of salt contained in sea or ocean waters which is measured in the unit of ppt (parts per thousand)

What is temperature in exploring oceans?

Temperature in reference to exploring oceans refers seawater temperature oceans and seas have with ocean temperatures commonly varying between -10 degrees to 30 degrees.

what is thermocline?

Is a transition layer between warmer mixed water at the ocean's surface and the cooler water from deeper below

What is halocline?

Is a vertical zone in the oceanic column in which salinity rapidly changes with depth

What is NPP (Net Primary Production)

photosynthesis — respiration

What are the characteristics of areas of high biodiversity?

Areas of high biodiversity have high NPP of light, Dissolved nutrients and a hot temperature

Areas and volumes of oceans

North alantic 41490,000km2(area) and 146,000,000km3(volume), pacific ocean 161,760,00km2(area) and 660,000,000km3(volume), Indian ocean 70,560,000km2(area) and 264,000,000km3 (volume)

What are food chains?

food chains are the simple links between animals at different levels of the food chain

What are food webs?

Food webs are more complex interactions between multiple organisms

What is the inter-tidal zone?

The inter tidal zone is area above the water at low tide and under water at high tide including many different types of habitats, different types of animals including different features like steep rocky fcliffs, sandy beaches or even wetlands

Name one biological resource from the ocean

Whales

What do whales provide as a biological resource?

Whale meat, ambergris(whale vomit), blubber and skin

What is ambergris used for?

Ambergris is used for cosmetic products such as perfume which gives it distinct smell

Name one place in which whales are exploited as a biological resource

Iceland

Name the stakeholders involved in whaling in Iceland

Icelandic government, Corporate bodies i.e. Icelandic whalers, Non profit organisations i.e. IWC, Community groups i.e. Icelandic community

What are whalers attitude to whales being used a biological resource?

Attitudes whalers have to whales beign used a biological resource is they see it as a great food resource much better than marine fish with minke whales being hunted usually by the whalers

What are the strengths to the whalers arguments?

One strength is it is a more providable food resource than marine fish and more easy o catch than marine fish

What are weaknesses of the whalers arguments?

More hunting of the minke whale population can lead to the bottleneck effect in which mutations are formed from inbreeding or even worse and more possible minke whales will go out of existence in Iceland as they're already listed as a endangered species in Iceland. In addition, the hunting of more minke whales can affect the ecosystem of the oceans

What are atitudes to the Icelandic government on whales beign used as a biological resource?

The Icelandic government doesn't see exploitation of whales for biological resource that big of an issue although it can affect the countries eco tourism (boat trips to see the Minke whales)

What are the IWC's attiudes to whales being used as a biological rsource?

The IWC's attitudes to whales being used a biological resource is that they want to stop it as they see Minke Whale populations in decline in Iceland

What are the strengths of the IWC's argument?

One strength of the IWC is that efforts to do anti-whaling previously and in other countries has led improve of oceans ecosystems that where before damaged by whaling. In addition, Iceland is apart of the IWC therefore, meaning that they are obliged to some of the IWC's rules and restrictions on whaling

What are the weaknesses of the IWC's argument?

Needs a 3/4's majority to do anti whaling as it a 50/50 split in the Icelandic government. Therefore, this means it's in the hands of the Icelandic governments decision to whether or not go ahead with this anti whaling program

What are the attitudes of the foreign minister to whales being used as a biological resource?

Foreign minister of Iceland sees the economic benefit of whaling in Iceland and rather focuses more on human right activities than ones including animals

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the foreign minister of Iceland argument?

Neutral as her view doesn't beenefit either side

What are the attitudes of tourists to whales being used as a biological resource?

The tourists want to see whales as it is a popular eco tourist attraction seeing them

What are the strengths of the tourists argument to whaling?

Encourages the government to do something about it as they don't want to lose eco tourism which is one of their prime industries for making money

What are the weaknesses of the tourists argument on whaling?

Don't all agree with Iceland's neighbouring countries like Norway tourists see whale meat as delicious with many going their to try it out. In addition, the tourists have very little power as stakeholders in deciding whether or not whaling should go on in Iceland

What is the bottleneck population effect?

The bottle neck population effect is where low birth population of a specific organism where if the population is less than 1,000 then it can create problems like mutations. Furthermore, if the population of the specific organism goes further down to 100 then it can set the species to go extinct

What is a non biological resource found in the oceans?

Fossil fuels especially oil and minerals like iron used in electronics when doing sea mining

What is an example in ocean where oil is expoiltated as a non biological resource?

The Beautfort sea oil dispute between Canada and USA

What is USA's claim to the oil reserve?

USA claims a boundary line to be perpendicular to reach a distance of 200 nautical miles(370km)

strengths of USA's claim

it is strong economically and is active between the border with Canada

weaknesses in USA's claim

Canada could have stronger claim s have a more larger border than USA. In addition, Canada has more older therefore has greater historic claim than Alaska which was sold to USA from Russia in 19th century following the failure of the Russian American state

What is Canada's claim of the oil reserve?

Canada's claim of the oil reserve is a marinetime boundary to above 141st merdian west out to a distance of 200 nautical miles (370km) following Alaskan-Yukon border

Strengths of Canada's claim

has a larger border than USA, ethically they want to measure resources better than the Americans

Weaknesses to Canada's claim

Has lack of experience in claiming territory

Who are the stakeholders involved in Perepetuus tidal energy?

Perepetuus tidal energy centre, residents to the Isle of Wight, Ocean goers and tourists

What is the interest in tidal energy for the centre?

Perepetuus energy centre wants to create renewable energy for the UK which is more sustainable than fossil fuels

What are the advantages in Perepetuus' interest?

Can create renewable energy for Isle of Wight as well as for the whole of UK which can last longer than fossil fuels

Disadvantages to the centre's interests in creating tidal energy

Damages organisms and ecosystems found in UK oceans and can also impact sailors as catch less fish

What are the interest of the resident's of the Isle of Wight in tidal energy?

Can create generate renewable energy for them locally which is better energy resource than fossil fuels like coal or natural gas

What are the advantages to the residents interests?

Provides many on the island with renewable energy and satisfaction to being near the tidal energy plant

What are the disadvantages of the residents interest in tidal energy?

Visual appearance of the tidal energy plant can be contested between areas like residents who live near the coast will have a more negative view than residents who live further on land

What are the interest of ocean goers in tidal energy?

Can create renewable energy for people with internet and to power boats and other ocean vehicles

What are the advantages of the ocean goers interest in tidal energy?

Can provide them with renewable energy in many ways through electronics and their vechiles.

What are the disadvantages to ocean goers from tidal energy plant?

The infrastructure of the tidal energy plant can create a border for ocean goers to get in and out of the Isle of Wight

What are some hypothermal deposits?

Hypothermal deposits include sulphide deposits of polymetal that are clumped together and composed of metallic compounds deposited for hot water being sprouted from the seabed surface with metal deposits often spouting and forming a chimney shape . Other deposits include copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver with some rare metals rarely being found like germanium and gallium

What is the international seabed authority?

The international seabed authority are a collection of deep seabed mineral resources in international water that are centrally administered by an international body known as (ISA) International Seabed Authority under the UN'd convention on thr law of sea which is a mulyilateral treaty which specifies rights and obligations regardign the seas

What coutnries have been granted exclusive expolaration rights to international seas as well as conducting expolorations and other acitvites?

Cook island, Papua New Guinea, Spain

Who are Nautilus?

Was the first ocean minng company that exploitated ocean mining off the coast of Papua New guinea

What environmental problems does Nautilius pose?

Nautilus environmental problems include ocean becoming stratified as well as the increase of natural disasters like earthquakes as ocean mining can increase cause of seismic activities as well as having long term impacts on the habitats found in the oceans near Papua New Guinea like coral reefs

Pros to ocean mining

can provide as resources for advanced technology, good to invest into and earn profit especially emerging and developing countries like Papua New Guinea itself, smaller carbon footprint as carbon sequestration is not let out into the atmosphere

Cons to ocean mining

there are lack of understanding, expensive, can disturb parts of the ocean layers in ocean ph as well as ocean temperature

What are the benefits to ocean mining for Papua New Guinea?

provides money for comidites fro the country, mining is 70% of the countries economy, establish community development funds

what are the drawbacks to mining in Papua New Guinea?

Locals against the use of robotic technology for mining, EU impose heavy restrictions in the area mining companies want to mine

What is the Global commons?

The global commons refers to resource domains or areas that lie outside of the political reach of any one nation state.

What are the four major global commons identified from international law?

High Seas, the atmosphere, Antarctica and Outer space

What does the tragedy of the commons refer to?

The tragedy of the commons refers to ungoverned parts of the commons that because of lack of governance of the commons leads to overuse and depletion of resources

What is a territorial water/sea?

Are defined by the 1982 UN Convection on the the Law of the Sea as a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22.2km; 13.8 mi) from the baseline of the coastline.

What is a contiguos zone?

Is a band of water extending from the outer edge of territorial sea to up to 24 nautical miles (44.4km; 27.6mi) from the baseline.

What is EEZ (Exclusive economic zone)?

IS a sea zone prescribed by the UN convection on the law of the sea over which state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources including the energy production of water and wind from dams and wind turbines.

Who are UNCLOS

Are the United Nations Convection on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is a international agreement from the third UN conference on law of the sea which occurred between the years 1973-1982 defining rights and responsibilities to nations with their respect on their use of the world's oceans

When did the Deepwater Horizon spill occur?

20th April 2010

Name one place that is affected by sea level rise?

Tuvalu

North Pacific Gyre

Is garbage patch which is estimated to be anywhere from 3,100 square miles to x2 size of Texas being one of the major garbage patches aside from South Pacific, North Alantic, South Alantic and Indian Ocean.

How does garbage get into the North Pacific Gyre?

Garbage gets into the gyre by some trash being directly thrown into the ocean as well as ocean is downhill therefore meaning if anyone throws trash into the sea it will fall to the ground. Finally about 20% of garbage found in the North Pacific Gyre is from sea going vessels as well as oil platforms

Where does the garbage from the North Pacific gyre come from?

The garbage of the North Pacific Gyre comes from the fall off of garbage in the North American continent and washes up near east coast of Asia with 80% of the North Pacific Gyre garbage coming from land based source and the other 20% from ships

What has been the impact on coral in the Great Barrier reef as a result to temperature change?

Coral bleaching

How much of the reef has become bleached?

about 91% of the reef has become bleached

Why does the algae leave the coral as temperatures rise?

Because it's under stress

How bad is temperature change for Australia?

Can be very bad for Australia because can damage life within the reef and although reef doesn't die out it being bleached can cuase many sevre changes in the ecosystem such as prey for big predators being killed off more easily which affects food web of the oceans.

How bad is temperature change for oceans globally?

Can affect reefs in areas along the equator but has less of an impact in reefs found along the tropics such as near the UK and will only get slightly wamrer not enough to get bleached

What is ocean acidification?

is the rise in co2 levels which can affect the oceans ph from going to acid to alkaline as well as weakening corals' ability to create calcareous skeleton's which it needs in order to survive. In addition, primary consumers like hermit crabs are also affected as ph of ocean waters change their shell also weakness which makes their specie vulnerable and more prone to predators.

What threat is Tuvalu facing?

Climate change and rising sea levels have impacted the country to be more vulnerable to flooding with severe lowland flooding being a regular problem for the country

what were the impacts on residents of Tuvalu?

Salter water is flooding coconut farms which residents need as it is their primary food source as mosat people grow their own fodod and do't rely on secondary sources as it is a small coutnry , smallest island of Te Pusakavilvilli disappeared in 1997 due to sea level rise

What are strengths of Tuvalu people adapting to these sea level rises?

Provides them with protection and less likely to loose homes with idea of 100 foot tall stilts being introduced

What is the weakness to Tuvalu adapting to these changes?

Needs more defences than just stilts as sea levels will constitute to rise. Furthermore, it will need help from other countries that have more power than Tuvalu in international organisations like the UN

What are the strengths of Tuvalu people emigrating?

GIves them a better life as they're less vulnarable to flooding, also porvides younger generation with work and money to earn

What are the weaknesses to the Tuvulan people emrigrating?

Learning another language is required although yes most Tuvaluans know English because was a colony of the UK some still don't know English and need it especially if they want to migrate to New Zealand

Where is Mt Merapi?

Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Where is Hawaii ?

Pacific Ocean part of USA

What where the short term impacts faced by Mt. Merapi's eruption?

4,100 people were evacuated, schools were closed down in Yogyakarta, rituals to the Sultan were disturbed

What were the long term impacts of Mt. Merapi's eruption?

Destruction of crops like potatoes, loss of TRF, destruction of some important buildings i.e... temples

What were the short term impacts of the Hawaii eruption?

People eavcuated for a short timer as the volcano was sheild volcano and the lava flow was not travelling at a fast rate, people were able to evacuate the island with fewer causalties and come back to their homes

What were the long term impacts of the Hawaii eruption?

Infertile crops, damage to some houses, destruction of some infrastructure

What were the economical impacts of MT. Merapi's eruption?

Indonesia got sources of financial help from other muslim countries like Saudi Araba, Iran etc. more though it is worth to point out that they also got help from ASEAN which its HQ is located in Indonesia

What were the economic impacts in Hawaii eruption?

USA government funded after the disaster occurred, 2,950 jobs island's workforce over 12 months were gone, numerous businesses closed because of the eruption

What were the social impacts of the Hawaii eruption?

rebuilding of houses destroyed from the eruption, disruption in social services like churches, people were able to move possesions eveen the houses they had

What were the social impacts of Mt Merapi's eruption?

people were left homeless in Yogyakarta, Houses of many were destroyed

what were the environmental impacts of the Mt. Merapi eruption?

Loss of TRF area, loss of organisms i.e. Javanese leopard, Javanese gibbon etc., loss of habitat for animals to live

what were the environmental impacts of the Hawaii eruption?

Partial loss to TRF, destruction of plants, loss of ecosystems

When was the Mt Merapi eruption?

October 2010